The traffic officers are responsible for keeping the roads safe.You can see officers directing traffic, but they are often the first to arrive at accidents and teach others about the rules of the road.Once you are hired as a police officer, you go through the same training as any other officer.To become an official traffic officer, you have to pass the required tests.You should head out on the road to protect public safety.
Step 1: You have to wait until you are 18 years old to become an officer.
At the legal age of adulthood in your area, you can start the process of becoming a traffic officer.The requirement may be different depending on where you live.You can apply for basic training at 18.You can get an adult driving license at that age.The New York Police Department allows you to become a traffic officer when you are 18.They might allow you to begin training before that.The maximum age888-607-3166 for beginning as a traffic officer is 35.Some agencies have a specific age limit.It is better to start when you are younger.
Step 2: Become a legal resident of the country you plan on working in.
You need legal citizenship in order to be a traffic officer.If you were born in the country, you don't have to do anything else.If you want to become a permanent resident, apply for a green card through immigration services.You will need to prove your citizenship in order to get a job.To prove that you are allowed to work in the U.S., you need a valid birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
Step 3: You should have a valid driver's license when you turn 18.
A traffic officer has a lot of responsibilities.You need to be able to drive in order to respond to accidents and patrol the road.You need to take a driving test when you reach the legal age of adulthood.If you are in the US, fill out an application at the nearest DMV office.Traffic officers drive patrol cars.The officers ride motorcycles or bicycles.Updating your driver's license is important if you have to relocate.If you want to get a license from a different state in the U.S., you need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Step 4: You should have a high school or GED before applying.
To represent the basic education all traffic officers need, consider these certificates.You have to graduate from high school.GED is more than enough if high school wasn't for you.If you want to become a traffic officer, you need one or the other.You have a knowledge level similar to a high school graduate if you get a GED.You need to register with your state testing agency to take the GED test.You can find more information on your state's Department of Education website.
Step 5: If you want to prepare for service, you should get a degree in law enforcement.
Traffic officers don't need advanced education to start work.It's a good idea to take a course in law enforcement before going through basic training.You can find a college that offers an associate's degree in law enforcement.It will look good on your application if you have a degree.In the U.S., traffic officers are police officers.Some departments may require you to complete as much as a 4-year degree program or 60 credit hours.This experience will help if you want to become a police officer.In other parts of the world, traffic officers are separate from police departments.The Highways Agency is responsible for traffic officers in England.Police officers don't have the authority to conduct searches, write tickets, or direct traffic.Traffic laws, police procedures, criminal justice, and law enforcement are some of the areas to study in school.
Step 6: Prepare for road emergencies with first aid training.
Since traffic officers are often the first people to respond to accidents, first aid training is a great resource to have under your belt.Check with organizations like the Red Cross, National Safety Council, and American Heart Association for classes.You will need to attend these classes in person to learn how to perform basic medical procedures.You receive a certificate for completing the course.Before applying for a job, you should check the requirements of the police department.You have to earn a certificate within 1 year of applying for the highway patrol.
Step 7: Communication classes can help you be better at talking to people.
Traffic officers deal with a lot of people.It is your duty to be authoritative even if the driver is angry.Signing up for communications classes at a nearby university is a good way to practice this.Talking to strangers and collaborating for projects are ways to improve your skills.Traffic officers communicate with other people.They need to know how to deal with the public.Volunteering is a good way to improve.It is possible to serve many different types of people while volunteering.If you want to improve your communication skills, you can join a public speaking group or work on group projects in school.
Step 8: Get in touch with a recruiter to start the application process.
Anyone looking to become a traffic officer can use recruiters.You can find more information on a traffic patrol or police department website.Along with email addresses and other contact information, many websites list who is responsible for recruiting aspiring officers.If you want to become a traffic officer, talk to a recruiter.If you are in Ohio, you can visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol website.You can call, email, or send a letter to the highway patrol office.Recruiters look for good candidates to join the ranks of traffic officers.They are here to help you succeed.They can answer your questions.
Step 9: You can apply for a job with the police department.
Police departments post job openings.These are usually posted at certain times, so check back frequently to find out the official dates.The government has a career portal where you can search and apply for jobs.Basic information such as your name, experience, and education level are required when the application is available.City, state, and national governments all have their own websites.All public service jobs are displayed on these official websites.If you are in Ohio, keep an eye on the website.Only a few times a year can traffic officer and police jobs open.There are announcements on the official website.
Step 10: Go through an assessment with your supervisor.
The supervisors are trying to understand you.Good communication skills will enable you to get along with your coworkers and the general public.When you go in for the interview, be friendly and charming.Character assessment questions may be included in the job application.You might be asked how much experience you have with customer service.Inexperience isn't an automatic disqualification.New recruits are often interview by supervisors.The supervisor could ask you how to deal with an angry driver during a traffic stop.You can practice these scenarios at home or with someone you trust.
Step 11: To be eligible for the job, you need to pass a background check.
Since traffic officers are public officials, your background is important.When you submit your application, you will be asked to fill out a basic questionnaire.It contains questions about your legal record, such as if you have had drugs or accidents.These questions can be the difference between a successful application and a rejection.When answering these questions, be honest.Lying and getting caught later are worse than being disqualified right away.The police department will conduct a separate background check on you.
Step 12: If the department asks for a drug screening test, take it.
Being drug and alcohol-free is very important for your duties as a traffic officer, so anticipate testing when you apply.The department will tell you what to do after they process your application.They will usually send you to a state lab for a urine test.Your application will be denied if the test finds anything.Driving under the influence is a big safety hazard, so departments want their officers to be clean.They are very careful about drug testing.You don't have a lot of time to prepare for the test.Stay prepared by avoiding drugs and alcohol at all times.Random drug tests may be submitted to the police department after you are employed.
Step 13: Become an officer by taking and passing a written qualification test.
A test date is set after a department checks applications.You will be contacted with the test date, time, and location.The test consists of multiple choice questions about how to handle your job responsibilities, so it is not hard to prepare for.If you score well on the test, you have a good chance of progressing to the next stage in the application process.A test question can cover the proper procedure during a traffic stop or the rules of the road in your area.You need to score over 70% to pass, but this depends on how the test is administered.
Step 14: The police department has a physical health and fitness test.
You should be called in for the test by the supervisor.To make sure you can handle the job, medical professionals will check your health.You have to take a physical fitness test if you pass that.It is not like army-level training, but be prepared to run and swim.There are health issues that could prevent you from moving.It might be a problem when you are on the road if you have a mental illness.Pushups, sit ups, a run, and a short swim are included in physical fitness tests.Each section has a score on it.You may fail the test if you have a low score.If you train at home, you will be prepared for any physical tests.If you can run and swim without difficulty, you should be able to pass.
Step 15: It takes at least 12 weeks of training to become a police officer.
Instructions about attending training are sent to you after the police department accepts your application.Instructors teach you how to do your job.Education about driving laws, how to fire a gun, and inspect vehicles are included.Police officers in other departments get the same training.The length of training depends on the department.It's a good idea to know how much time you have to set aside before hitting the streets because some training programs run as long as 26 weeks.You need a car and a driver's license to get to the academy.Many departments have their own training facilities.The academy is not very close to your home.
Step 16: Become a resident of the area you plan on working in.
Traffic officers represent the areas they work in.Police departments require you to live where you work.If you get a job, plan on relocating.You may want to apply for jobs close to where you live.You need to relocate by the time you get hired.You have to move to New York City within 90 days of being hired by the NYPD.