In order to become a police officer in Indiana an applicant must meet the initial requirements (listed in the section below) to even apply. After submitting the application (which consists of typical application information: work history, education, background information and career goals), if the application is accepted the applicant will be invited to take the police written test. If you pass the written test you will then be requested to have an oral interview. After passing the oral interview candidates will then be subjected to the physical agility test. If a candidate passes the physical agility test they will then have to finish a series of tests including a medical exam, psychological exam and polygraph test. Applicants will also be required to take a drug test.
After passing through all these steps and tests, a candidate will be sent for training at a police academy in Indiana if they are seen fit. The training consists of 932 hours over 24 months of rigorous police training. If a candidate is able to successfully graduate the academy they will then have a period of field training prior to becoming a full-fledged police officer.
Indiana Requirements to Become a Police Officer
The minimum requirements to be able to apply for police work in Indiana are that applicants must be legal US citizens who are at least 21 years of age but no older than 38. Applicants must have completed high school or achieved their equivalent GED. Applicants cannot have been charged with any felonies or even some misdemeanors; they also cannot have been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the military. The final minimum requirement is that applicants must have a valid Indiana driver’s license.
If a person meets these requirements then they can submit an application. The slow process through the steps listed above can be hard, it is important to be patient and to be prepared for any and all tests. It is also important to remain honest throughout the entire process. If you are ever unclear about the process or what to expect, ask! The first written police exam in Indiana can be challenging. There are courses and tutors in Indiana to help prepare you for this test, it is advisable to take advantage of these opportunities. Becoming an officer in Indiana is hard work, but worth it for those who make it through.
Salary for Police Officer Jobs Indiana
The average patrol officer salary in Indiana is 45,120 a year. This means that depending on where you work you could be making around 42,000 a year, but it also could be less or more depending on many different factors. More heavily populated areas tend to pay much more than rural police officer jobs. Education can influence pay as well. Even though it is not required, applicants with a degree in Criminal Justice or another similar degree which relates to law enforcement, can start off at a higher pay than those with just a high school diploma.
As for Detectives and criminal investigators in Indiana, their average salary is 48,150 a year. Supervisors of police and detectives make an average of 63,890 a year. Within the police department officers can increase their pay through years of experience, achieving a promotion or even attaining more education.
Indiana Law Enforcement Training Programs
If you are considering furthering your education post high school and before applying to the police course, a criminal justice degree may be where you would start. Criminal justice and criminal law are related fields of study to law enforcement. Some schools even have crime scene investigation degrees, or other degrees in related studies. It may be very beneficial to have such a degree prior to applying to become a police officer. The following list has some of the available programs at colleges and universities in Indiana, it is not a comprehensive list, but rather a starting point.
- Ancilla College
9601 Union Road, Donaldson, IN 46513
574-936-8898
- Ball State University
2000 W University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306
765-289-1241
- Butler University
4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208
800-368-6852
- Calumet College of St. Joseph
2400 New York Avenue, Whiting, IN 46394
219-473-7770
- Grace College and Theological Seminary
200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590
574-372-5100
- Indiana Institute of Technology
1600 East Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46803
260-422-5561
- Indiana University Bloomington
107 S Indiana Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405
812-855-4848
- ITT Technical Institute
Locations in Fort Wayne, IN, Indianapolis, IN, Newburgh, IN, and South Bend, IN
- Ivy Tech Community College
Many campus locations across Indiana: 855-613-6294
- Manchester College
604 East College Ave, North Manchester, IN 46962
260-982-5055
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
1 St Mary of the Woods College, St. Mary’s, IN 47876
812-535-5151
- University of Phoenix
Locations in Greenwood, IN, Indianapolis, IN, and Merrillville, IN
- Vincennes University
1002 N First Street, Vincennes, IN 47591
800-742-9198