The POLICE Hiring Process! 

I wanted to be a cop in the UK. Then I decided that I don’t want to go around arresting old men who defend themselves or arresting people for making jokes with their pug

I just passed my polygraph today

I'm a youngling who's dream it is to join law enforcement. You've inspired me and helped me beyond what I needed. Keep it up 401

Tuesday I go test to be a jailer for the Sheriff. In June I go test to be part of the city police. I've been through it all multiple times with multiple agencies. Where I live, it is very competitive. And where you live it might be as well. All I can say is, if you don't get it on the first, second, or even third try, keep going back. I know for a fact that if you keep applying, they know. And they take note of it. It looks good if you don't give up. I actually applied again because I had officers I know tell me to apply again, and the recruiters ask me to apply again. Just throwing that out there.

Being a cop is a dream of mine! And you just inspire me more, keep up the good work Mr officer :)

My dream job is to be a police officer because I have seen a lot of bad cops so far in my life and I want to be a sheriff keep it up you are amazing i know it’s hard being a police officer have a great weekend hope your family is good love you😎👍

When you leave you car keys in you car and it is locked, then you see officer401 uploaded a video. I don't care if everybody looks at me. I am watching this at the side of the road.

Being from the UK I find it so interesting hearing from a US cop. Keep it up man you’ve changed my perception on US law enforcement. Humanise the badge

I am currently waiting for my background check to be over with. Applied with Colorado State Patrol and here are the steps I went through so far (in their order): 1. Online application (to meet minimum requirements) 2. Written test (75% of the questions were about your work ethic - sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and such topics were used) 3. Physical agility test 4. Thorough application online - your past 10 years of employment, residence and so on 5. Background check Next should be: 6. Interview with an investigator 7. Polygraph test 8. Oral board 9. Psychological test upon hiring 10. Medical exam upon hiring

Police (and yeah, firefighters), the ones who voluntarily risk their lives on behalf of their communities, knowing those risks beforehand, are at the very top of my social hierarchy. The rest of us all look up to them. And female cops... the sheer balls it takes to do that when you have a built in physical disadvantage.... wow.

Thanks for all the great information you provide. Not only do you educate you inspire

When I graduate, I'll have a Bachelor's in Psychology w/ a minor in Criminal Justice, as well as an Associate's in General Sciences. Hope that's good 'nough

You should do recording in your cars again, I miss the good old days where you where driving down the same road for an entire video and all we could see was the left arm. I mean i love what you are doing now but I miss the old car vlogs. Edit: This is not a way of saying you ugly lol I'm just saying its nice to have a change in the background then always having black background with your face.

My sister is RCMP up here in Canada. And besides minor differences this is SPOT on. Hopefully this opens peoples eyes to the process.

When he talks about small towns it hits me close to home because my town has only 6 officers 3 for each shift. It sucks because they get so many calls it makes them practically useless due to over tasking 😞

Officer 401, can you make a video specifically about the physical fitness required to be a cop? And or what the PFT is like?

i'd also recommend joining the explorer program of whatever department you want to get into. (if the department has one)

The NYPD has over 40,000 officers as well as 15,000 "civilian" employees.

To add on to this - I was in the hiring process with multiple agencies in the Raleigh, NC area. Many of them used the same application. I was smart enough to catch onto this and saved a copy on my computer and changed a few things (Agency, position, etc...) and then got it notarized when I was done with each application. If you are blessed with this, I would highly recommend you do it! It will save you countless hours filling out 40+ pages.

I am processing with Barstow PD atm. So far it's been, written, PT test ( the next day) then oral board ( I just passed) now I'm currently in backgrounds. I'll let you all know what's next. Best wishes, god bless 🤙🏽🇺🇸

Go to school get your criminal justice degree.Get a 100 on the civil service exam, then get placed 75th behind all the veterans. Tough luck lol

I just passed the Nelson Denny test 3 weeks ago and the PT test in South Carolina for a sheriffs office in my home county and I am still waiting on the background check and it feels like forever

It surprises me how different this is from state to state!! I have worked as a dispatcher/ jailer for about 10 years in Colorado.

Finally reached my goal of being a cop. Albeit not quite the route I thought I'd go, but I made it! Thank you for the initial inspiration!

You should do a video on whether it's better to follow the flow of traffic or follow the speed limit.

I’m taking the entrance exam for the NYS Trooper exam Saturday. I’m currently a therapist& I have a masters degree in mental health counseling. Hoping my work experience will help a bit lol

I recently just join my local sheriffs office. I still and will always come to your videos to watch them from start to end.

I’m currently a police explorer trying to get as much experience as possible and get my foot in the door already! I’m super excited about getting out there with my community and joint the blue family!

I just wanted to know if being a military veteran helps in the hiring process

I’m currently a Police Explorer for the 7th largest city in the US. These tips are legendary. This video probably will make my future career more possible. Thanks, 401.

Going through this process since Dec. 2016 when I filled out my app. Did the written , oral board ,PHIQ and the background check is going on now. Your videos have been a huge help to and quite inspirational. Thx 401

Officer 401 has been stoking the fire of peoples law enforcement dreams for many years now

The colleges here in Canada have a Police Foundations course, it's not required, but it's a huge help to getting hired.

This was actually very helpful I’m a senior in high school and was wondering how I get started I already planned to get my bachelors degree but this actually helped a lot

Lol like how they “lost” my police explorer submission

Talking to numerous PA Troopers and local cops they all say it’s pointless to go to school for a criminal justice degree unless you want to teach it, get a degree that will benefit you if police doesn’t work out since not everyone can be a cop.

I’m going through the process right now, ours was a little different. Granted every department is different. This is how our hiring process works: 1. Civil Service Exam 2. Preliminary board interview 3. Conditional offer of employment 4. Psychological exam 5. Polygraph test 6. Background check 7. Final Oral Board interview 8. Interview with the chief 9. Medical exam 10. Official offer of employment You have helped me so much through my journey, 401! I’m waiting in the parking lot right waiting to go in for my interview with the chief. I’m so excited

Got a call from my BI today. My background folder is going to one of the captains. Already did passed written exam, PAT, oral board interview, polygraph, and background.

I was just hired on as a 911 operator dispatcher, hiring process took 2 months. Full background / reference check, 3 panel interview, polygraph exam, thorough physical as well as online testing.

I just completed a 52 page correctional police officers application for the state of NJ. I took the civil service test in april of 2019 and passed with an 87.5 and a ranking of 706 out of 2000 that passed. On Feb 11th I report for the 1st two stages out of 4 for the hiring process. The Application is very thorough. The 1st two stages on Feb 11th will be.. written Physic exam, urine test, background investigation and back section of application. 8 hr day in business attire.

Thanks a lot. I am a Detention officer applying for the local PD within the county I work in. So I see and interact with a lot of the police officers in my official capacity. I have two years experience with the sheriffs office, and an associate degree. I pass the oral board with flying colors and just now in background investigations. Now all that’s left is to make it to the voice stress analysis test, and a final panel board with members of city council. I also called the CID division and the capt. and gave them information regarding a criminal case they had active and they solved it. They all know my Sergeant, LT, sheriffs Captains, and everything. I am 1 of 12 left in the process for 3-6 spots. I just heard the they eliminated some. I also know all the criminals in the area from working i the Jail. Hopefully my experience will push me over the other applicants

It's always interesting the perception of dept size that some cops have. 50 officers is a pretty big department, and if your advice to people is not to apply to small departments, you're asking them to close off a whole hell of a lot of opportunities. I think the majority of police departments in the country are under 50 sworn in size.

I am thankfull that 401 still manages to find time to interact with us. Even if its a 💙 on the comments! Thanks 401 😎

The general process where I live (Wisconsin) is : Written Exam, Fitness Test, Initial FTO Interview/Police & Fire Commission Interview, Background Interview/Check, Admin Interview, *Conditional Job Offer*, Polygraph Exam (Only Some Agencies), Psych Test, Health Physical

Currently in the hiring process, it takes so damn long.

Great video, one thing to note, as Officer 401 said the process varies by department, the first department I applied to did the written testing first, then physical test directly after, PT was very simple, a combination of running, obstacle course (cones and wall), dummy drag, and weapon manipulation. After the written and PT we had oral interviews and then continued to Psych, Physical exam, conditional offer and then academy. At the department I'm currently applying to they did the written, then physical testing, and after the PT we will go to oral, psych, physical exam, and interview with the chief, then academy. The second department though is more traditional with a 1.5 Mile run, pushup requirements and an obstacle course (cones) that you have to sprint. One thing that was recommended to me was to be able to run 4 miles without stopping BEFORE you get to the academy.

It took over 8 months for the state to process my application! Once that was done, it took less than 2 weeks to get hired.

Graduating December with a Criminal Justice degree and I’m super excited to start applying next month

Thank you for making this video I’m 20 right now and I’ve had law enforcement in mind for a long time and this has really helped me to know how I should go about starting.

Thank you so much for using my suggestion! I’m in the final stages of a hiring process and have my physical next week.

nyc has ~35,000 cops for 8-10 million residents.. cdcr has ~33,000 cops for california state prisons - making them the second largest law enforcement agency in the nation.

Literally did all these for my interview for the PD and they were very impressed. Your da man 401!

I served my LDS mission in Texas. Two of my areas had super small towns with small police departments. The small town police departments were fine for minor things. But if anything big happened the county Police ended up coming out. Or, sometimes I'd see state police on the scene.

Starting school for Law Enforcement in August. All your videos help me out so much. Thank you for the awesome videos!

Great info! The hiring process in Las Vegas is a little bit different. Same basic components but the order is shuffled around. Here is Vegas, they do the written exam and when you pass that you wait about 3-4 months to schedule the oral board. You will do the oral board in the morning and if you pass that you do the physical fitness test that same afternoon. The rest of the process (background investigation, polygraph, medical exam, psych exam) goes quite fast after you get through the oral board and physical fitness test.

Calling them every day, I agree that's annoying. Good thing to learn as I'm pursuing a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.

I was so sad, because I thought I didn't qualify in becoming a police. But then, my Police Department here in California called me less than half a year after about my application. But I was out of country, and haven't gotten back until 3 months after. Soo, I'm not sure if they already disregarded my application. I wish it's still there!

The written psych I took had a combined total of well over 1000 questions. There were two scantron sheets with two different booklets. The first booklet had about 338 questions and the second had about 420 questions. But there were also questions that were written which were about 200. literally took about 6 hours or so to complete.

do you think a bachelors degree in emergency management would be good?

Did my fitness test and my written, have my interview next week! Pray for me and thank you 401

I am currently still in the middle of hiring process but they did mine different then what you said. 1st was 4 ride alongs then after I got invited to take the exam and then right after exam I did the orpat test. After the orpat I came back and just did the oral board. Now waiting on my background to come back so in still waiting can take up to two weeks. And then if I pass that I have no idea what's next

I'm taking Forensic Science instead of Criminal Justice

Wish I would have found your videos before starting the process. In my state you do the written test and physical on the same day. Then you do the panel interview and if you pass that then you start the background investigation. I couldn’t figure out why I failed two of my panel interviews until I watched your videos. Now I know. Going to be trying again in a few months. Thanks for the info!

Any word on that cop simulation game you were excited about a long time ago?

I remember when I was taking the ASVAB reading comprehension part, I would read the question then skim the artical

It took 8 months to just get the oral interview with Border Patrol. I was told that was very fast. I joked about the backgound application that it asked for everything but, a blood sample. They asked for mother and father in-laws.

I’m currently going through the process right now for my local department. Passed my oral board interview, passed my assessment and math test, passed my physical fitness test, passed my medical exam, passed my reading comprehension test about a few hours ago, just submitted my background packet, now I have to wait to take my polygraph and psychological test. If I pass those two more tests they will send my information to the chief and he will decide if I join the academy or not. The academy starts in July so fingers crossed I get in.

Thank you thank you thank you! My interview is next month and im freaking out haha 😭😭.

Hey 401 just wanna say your videos have helped a lot with me trying to join the force and I’ve recently scheduled my first ride along super excited

Hey 401 - I have to challenge you on your small department comments regarding officer safety and training (5:38): My first job was in a rural Sheriff's Office with a 3 man shift covering 856 road miles. The amount of experience, knowledge, and smarts I gained from working there for two years was FAR greater than the experience I've received working for a bigger PD. The officer safety, too - it's kind of an unfair comparison, though, right? Yeah, you might be the only guy on to handle a domestic, but there's nearby PDs or deputies that can back you up. Whereas in the larger PD, you've got 3 guys showing up to a DUI, or 6 guys showing up to a domestic...now you've got too many cooks in the kitchen, and sure, there's officer safety in mind, but as a LEO, EVEN a new LEO, you should have safety in the forefront of your mind. Even if it gets hinky, even alone, you should be winning that fight every time.

Nice informational video 401. Getting ready and excited to start my hiring process at a local department in my area!

All gov't. work is 'hurry up & wait.'

Thank you for your time in making this video. This helps me a lot in knowing what I am going to encounter.

Definitely recommend Computer science. If you enjoy technology do it. CS will always be in demand. You'll be vital regarding Cyber security/Crimes.

Thanks for this video. I’m in my final step with my police process and that’s the formal interview. If all goes well, I’ll be off to the academy in January.

Your comment about small departments on size fits over 95% of rural states like MT

Thank you 401 watching the channel keeps me dedicated to my degree and to keep pushing to be a cop. Stay safe on the road and have fun!

thank you for the informative video. I'm active duty Army right now but I'm looking into LE after my contract ends

Great tips man. Currently, waiting for my department to open up the NOE exams to take one. In the meantime I’m reading books , watching videos Etc and really embedding the life of a Cop early in the process.

So ironic we were taking about this in school today

Currently in the process for a CSO position while in undergrad. Thanks for the vid!

I took my written exam and physical test, and they say I have a grade of 82.3 is that good? I hope so I’m excited!

I'm about to graduate with a criminal justice degree in December and hope to become an officer soon after. This video helped a lot because I had similar questions about the hiring process. Thank you for another awesome video!!

I’m attend UCI and I’m Double majoring in both Criminology and Psychology. I hope that these degrees help me get a good career in law enforcement in the future

Got a few weeks left until I finish the first year of my AA in law enforcement, always love your videos keep it up!!!

The Physical Agility Test you mentioned reminds me of the one I took in Clayton County Georgia

See i just took the written test and the proctor told us we'll be receiving an application to fill out if we passed

Damn that's a cool agility test. Ours here is push ups, sit ups, 1.5 mile run, 100 yard sprint.

Our agility test is push a patrol car 15 ft, run and jump 6 ft wall, run jump through window, run across balance beam, then pull 165 pound dummy 20 ft in 90 seconds. Then its the running, sit ups, and push ups after.

What a lot of people don't seem to understand, just because you have a good record does not mean you are guaranteed to be a cop, let's say the next academy date coming up there looking to fill 50 spots, and let's say 200 people applied at this point, well guess what 150 people has to be eliminated somehow, its like any other job, your still competing for a spot, how you perform on the exam and physical will help your chances because they do want to fund people that they know will make it through the academy, if you barley pass both, guess what, your probably on the elimination block, and anything they they find they will use to get rid of you vs the person that did great they will probably work with a little more.

Psych exam is up to about 1000 questions total now. Just took it about 3 months ago.

Thank you for clearing this up cause I’m colorblind also I’ve been Going through the process of trying to become a traffic control officer and then I will try to take the civil service test to eventually become a police officer

I finished my police academy and passed the state test here in florida and they won't give me my official certification -.- as well as 25 others in my class

Really interesting video!! I wish we have a Spanish officer doing the same, it would do a lot of good to know the police and different armed&security forces. I want to know more. Make FTO the next video!

I have a question for you Offer 401 but my mind drew a blank...I'll recall shortly. But I love and appreciate your videos and efforts to be transparent to citizens, people who are interested in entering law enforcement. May God keep you safe!

Thank you so much your so much help like you have no idea really motivating people and giving them the knowledge they need !

If you are looking for a job as a police officer I hear that 12 out of the 20 officers from bel ridge police department in st. Louis County Missouri are leaving, so if you are in the area check it out

I just applied for the phoenix pd. The order of process they do it is different. All we have to do is apply with a few questions answered to make sure you have a diploma and aren't on drugs. And if that's cool you go directly to the written test, if you pass that you come back a few days later and do the physical exam. And after that you'll fill out a background packet. New to your channel liking the vids man.

I use to work for a landscaping company when I was 16-17, the owner ended up getting into criminal activity which led me to quit, would this stop me from going into LE?

I live in a town with a 1000+ population and I think there is only 7 or 8 cops