Jobs

Many people ask, “How do I become a police officer or deputy?” This is a great question, and we will try to assist you in pursuing this goal. The first place to begin is always the agency you wish to join. They can provide a lot of information that will assist you in developing this wonderful career path. However, if you are merely exploring the idea, the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) program website is extremely informative.

Explore the Missouri Department of Public Safety website to answer many of your questions.

First, if you click on the “Licensing Information” link, it will list the minimum requirements that will let you know up front if you even qualify. Then, if you click on “Licensed Training Centers,” it will give the entire list of POST training providers. Many of these Academies are in a college institution setting and the registration, while more stringent for officer candidates, is similar to registering to become a student. Other POST providers, like MPOA, are set up for assisting you with required in-service, continuing education courses to satisfy POST requirements once you become a Peace Officer.

With many returning soldiers, sailors and airmen, law enforcement has become a recruiting ground for these highly trained and motivated individuals. However, their professional military training does not always prepare them for this new profession. Veterans can apply for GI Bill assistance for tuition and should seek assistance from a VA representative to explore this option as tuition can be costly.

If you are already a peace officer from another state and interested in a position in Missouri, you can go to the same POST website and obtain information on what is needed to qualify for a license. We hope this information has been helpful and as always, should you have any additional questions, please give us a call or email and we will be happy to assist you.