While many children grow up wanting to be police officers in order to help protect and serve their communities, the realities of being a police officer are usually much more bleak. In general, being a police officer is very hard work that only a few people can do day-in and day-out while still holding onto the people they were before they joined the force. With this in mind, there are a few things you should seriously consider before you invest too much of your time and energy into this career option.

To help you with this, here are three things you should consider before starting a career as a police officer. 

The Long And Arduous Selection Process

Getting a job as a police officer isn’t the same as getting a job with any other company or organization. Because police officers are supposed to be trusted members of our society who serve and protect people within their communities, it’s important that you have a proven history of being an upstanding citizen before you’re put in this position.

To become a police officer, you’ll have to go through a long and arduous selection process. According to Rick Michelson, a contributor to PoliceOne.com, this process includes things like interviews, assessments, tests, background checks, and much more. Not only will you need to participate in these things, but people who are close to you will also be interviewed and potentially investigated to ensure that everything about you and surrounding you is on the up-and-up. 

The Extent Of Training

Because of the amount of responsibility police officers have, they are required to go through a lot of training before they’re ever able to get a job in a precinct. 

According to Timothy Roufa, a contributor to The Balance Careers, the training you’ll receive as a police officer will include things like how to use and safely possess a firearm, how to defend yourself against someone who may be trying to harm you or someone else, how to give first aid to someone who’s been injured, how to drive when in pursuit, and much more. 

Take On A Speciality

Becoming a police officer can be the first step in a long career in law enforcement. However, if you don’t have a plan for how you’d like to progress in this career, you could wind up losing a lot of time on your way to your ultimate professional goal. 

To keep this from happening to you, LearnHowToBecome.org recommends that you think about taking on a speciality as you’re learning and training. This could include things like becoming a supervisor or detective, working with fish and game, being a transit officer, working as an investigator, and more. 

If you think you might like a career as a police officer, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you in making this decision.