Types

• Law enforcement training varies. Most departments require applicants to have a high school degree or GED while others require some post-secondary education. After they are hired, most officers go through training at police academies that typically take 12 to 14 weeks to complete, according to the BLS.
  
  

Features

• Students at the police academy typically receive a combination of classroom and hands-on training, according to Education-Portal.com. They receive instruction on firearms use, first aid, patrol, investigation, constitutional law, civil rights and emergency response. Departments consider academy cadets to be employees, so they typically receive pay during training.
  
  

Considerations

• According to the BLS, some police agencies will pay tuition expenses for officers who work toward degrees in related fields. Many community colleges and universities offer programs in criminal justice, police science or public administration. Officers who earn a degree can look forward to more opportunities for advancement within their department.