1. DON’T DO DRUGS; OR IF YOU DO, STOP NOW!

Most agencies allow for some high school experimentation, but beyond that, a candidate will be disqualified.

6. HONESTY IS ITS OWN REWARD!

Sure, it’s an old fashioned phrase, but many candidates are eliminated for stealing or lying. If a person is not honest, he/she has no business being a police officer.

2. DON’T LET ALCOHOL USE CREEP UP ON YOU!

Alcohol is a drug, which leads to a whole host of disqualifying areas; fighting, DUI’s, poor health.

7. SHARPEN YOUR WRITING SKILLS!

People underestimate how important writing is to a police officer. Many candidates are screened out for poor grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.

3. PROTECT YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGE!

Agencies look at the number of tickets you have received, vehicle accidents and license suspensions. Also disqualifying is failure to carry proper insurance.

8. YOUR JOB HISTORY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT!

No matter what job you have, make a good impression on your employer; it will pay off dividends when background investigations are conducted. AVOID TERMINATIONS!

4. MAKE FITNESS A WAY OF LIFE!

Law enforcement is a strenuous job in which your safety can depend upon your being physically fit.

9. STRENGTHEN YOUR SELF-ESTEEM!

We need officers who are assertive, self confident, outgoing, personable and interact well with all persons. These factors are directly related to your self-esteem.

5. PAY YOUR BILLS!

Agencies regard how you handle your finances as a way to determine your level of responsibility and maturity.

10. SET YOUR VALUES AND BE TRUE TO THEM!

Peer pressure is a very powerful force, but the real test for a person is the ability to be true to his/her self.