I want to be a police officer when I get older, any advice?

Ever since I was 4 and watching the Cops and Worlds Wildest Police chases I've wanted to be a police officer. I want to go to Miami. I am currently in the 9th and I plan to go to College Of Criminology and Criminal Justice there. Is there any advice or hints on how to get through college and what to expect or what's going to be the hardest subject that I'll have to work my hardest in?I want to be a police officer when I get older, any advice?
A lot of departments want officers to have 2 or 4 year degrees in things like Psychology or English instead of Administration of Justice. While you're working on your degree, find a department that hires cadets (some departments even pay their cadets). Stay out of trouble while you're in school and try to stay in good shape physically. Hopefully by the time you're done with school the department you're working at will pay for your academy training and hire you from there. And by the way...please don't be too let down when you discover the real thing ain't like you saw it on tv.I want to be a police officer when I get older, any advice?
Sorry you were abused as a child.
For me, in my time, it was a good career and I enjoy retirement. Most of other replies are dead on, however. Dont box yourself in to one career. Real Police is more like the old Barney Miller TV show than COPS. Aint nothing glamourous about investigating a dry floater and helping to haul it. Keep an excellant sense of humor as you will need it. Get lucky and get a good wife. She will help more than you could know. Good luck and God bless
Admirable choice. Just remember to keep your sense of decency, be a decent and good cop - you'll go far.
stop!!! why would you go through college and spend all that time and money to become a police officer? listen to me. find somthing that is more challenging in college. you can always take electives in criminal justice. if you do not suceed in another feild of study you can always fall back on law enforcement. stay out of trouble, exercise, and get smart. what i mean by this is study all different interests. becoming one tracked could hurt you worse. become well rounded. crimial law is interesting but you can self educate yourself just by purchsing the books. i hope you like to read. do not go to college to become a police officer. become a teacher if that fails you will have your degree in education. do not set your sights low if your planning on going to college. a large majority of police do not have a college education. i am not saying they are dumb at all it is a good career. if you don't listen you will soon find out what i went through. keep your head up. take advantage of opportunities.
Don't do anything illegal. Don't associate with people who are trouble makers. You have no idea how something little can screw your life up.


Examples:


%26gt; Dating a minor when you are over 18 can get you put on the sex offender list.


%26gt; Poor driving record can disqualify you from a department.


%26gt; DUI WILL disqualify you.


%26gt; Any drug charge WILL disqualify you and possibly send you to jail.


Play it straight. You can do anything.
You are young, and sadly young people make mistakes that can go with them for the rest of their lives. I had a very good friend get caught with drugs when he was 15. It wasn't anything serious just pot, but he wanted to become a cop. Well he was sentanced as an adult and when he graduated high school and tried to get into the police academy they wouldn't let him in because of the drug charge.





So he joined the marines, became an MP, and had to BEG the city of Los Angeles to hire him because that was one of the only stations that was willing to take him in.





So what you do now, can and will effect you for the rest of your life if thats the career you are going to pursue. The best thing I can suggest is get into a ';explorers'; program, and consider ROTC when you go to college.