In New Hampshire a person wishing to become a police officer must first make sure they meet the minimum New Hampshire state requirements. The following section lists all of these requirements and also things that would disqualify you from the ability to apply. In New Hampshire there are only certain times a person can apply. In order to be notified of when this application period is open it is important for those interested in applying to complete a police recruit form. This will allow the police department to contact you when it is time to apply for open positions. The first step is to fill out an application, then you would be required to take the written tests and physical ability test. Following this is an extensive interview process and thorough background check. If you are offered a position then you would complete the rest of the tests (psychological, medical, drug etc.). Once you are hired and have cleared every test then you would be sent to the academy for training.
New Hampshire Police Officer Requirements
The minimum requirements for those wanting to apply for police work in New Hampshire are very similar to other state’s requirements. They include: being at least 21 years old, being a legal US citizen, need a New Hampshire driver’s license, need to have completed high school or achieved a GED certificate, and need a minimum of 20/30 vision (either corrected or not corrected).
In New Hampshire there is also a list of what you can’t have done/have. This list includes items such as: no history of dishonorable discharge from any branch of the military, can’t have used Marijuana in the past 12 months, other drugs in the last 36 months, and never been convicted of a felony or some misdemeanors.
New Hampshire Law Enforcement Salaries
The New Hampshire police officer salary is very similar to the national average. Regular patrol officers make approximately 48,000 a year depending on where they live, how many years of experience they’ve had and what level of education they have achieved. Detectives and criminal investigators make more since they have achieved a higher ranking, they make an average salary of 56,700 a year. Supervisors can make around 70,000/year in New Hampshire law enforcement.
New Hampshire Schools with Criminal Justice Degrees
It may be advisable to use the time wisely between high school and applying to a police department in New Hampshire. Many Police Departments view a candidate as very desirable who has a degree in criminal justice or another related law enforcement subject. It may even give applicants an advantage over other applicants who have not pursued a higher level degree. Also, a higher degree can give you a higher starting pay than others. These are all great reasons to look into a degree program. The below list of possible New Hampshire schools with degree programs in Criminal Justice or other related fields.
- Franklin Pierce University
40 University Drive, Rindge, NH 03461
603-899-4000
- Granite State College
25 Hall Street, Concord, NH 03301
603-228-3000
- Hesser College
3 Sundial Avenue, Manchester, NH 03103
603-668-6660
- New England College
98 Bridge Street, Henniker, NH 03242
603-428-2000
- NHTI – Concord’s Community College
31 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301
603-271-6484
- Plymouth State University
17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264
603-535-5000
- Rivier College
420 South Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
603-888-1311
- Southern New Hampshire University
2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106
800-668-1249
- White Mountains Community College
2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570
603-752-1113