How to Become a Police Officer in North Dakota?
Even though North Dakota is a safe place to live, its largest city, Fargo, saw a 3% increase in crime during 2018. The Fargo Police Department responded to a staggering 89,565 calls for service in 2018, with most of the increase in crime relating to thefts and burglaries. To fight this menace, there is always a high demand for law enforcement personnel in the state. The process for new recruits is always ongoing. If you are interested in joining the police force in North Dakota, you should continue reading.
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Steps for becoming a Police Officer in North Dakota
To become a police officer in North Dakota, you will need to follow certain steps. Bear in mind that different departments in the state would have some unique requirements, but by-and-large, the following steps would be applicable to most police departments in the state:
- Meet the minimum requirements to become a police officer in North Dakota
- Get a bachelor’s degree (Optional)
- Pass the entrance exam
- Clear an oral interview
- Undergo background investigation
- Get your Conditional Employment Offer
- Complete a Polygraph Exam
- Complete a Psychological Exam
- Clear a thorough Medical Exam and Drug Screening
- Enroll in a police training academy
Requirements to Become a Police Officer in North Dakota
Prior to beginning the application process to become a Police Officer in North Dakota, you will need to make sure you are eligible for working in the field of law enforcement in the state. The eligibility criteria typically varies across departments, but is generally something on the following lines:
- Candidate must be at least 18 years of age
- Candidate should possess a valid North Dakota driving license
- Candidate should have at least a High School diploma
- Candidate should not have any felony convictions or domestic violence convictions
- Candidate ought to be a US citizen
How long does it take to become a police officer in North Dakota?
The amount of time it takes to become a police officer in North Dakota would vary according to the agency, location and state regulations. In general, the whole process of applying, getting accepted, going through numerous detailed background checks, drug screens, physical tests, medical clearances etc, would take up to a few months. Following this, you will go through a training period of 6 to 7 months. Once you enter the field, you will be on probation for an additional 1 year. Upon completion of this probation, you may begin working as a standard police officer in the state. So, all in all, it may take around 1.5-2 years to become a police officer in North Dakota.
How much does a police officer make in North Dakota?
The annual mean wage for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers in North Dakota was $57,190 in May 2018, as per data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.