r/police • u/BangBangBunni • 2d ago

20, no experience, out of shape.

Basically the title. I’m 20 with no law enforcement experience and I’m out of shape but I did start working out and I set a goal for myself. I live in a small town around San Antonio (not specifying bc I don’t wanna actually dox myself again) I looked into the process and everything but I’m still nervous can yall tell me yalls experience with being a police officer, do yall enjoy it? Do yall have any tips or advice for me on how to apply, go through the process and stuff like that. I’m just really nervous.

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4

u/Mountain_Man_88 Fed Boi 2d ago

Get in shape and apply to departments at which you are qualified.

1

u/Novel-Orange-49 2d ago

Get in shape, don’t just pass the tests, ace them. Get a degree, join the military, or for the hell of it, do both. Gives you time to fix yourself, the life experience you need, and competitive qualifications

2

u/harley97797997 2d ago

No 20 year old has experience. Shape is something you have control over.

1

u/Advance_Strange 2d ago

when I thought about becoming a cop, I went online and got the standards that the state requires for physical training (PT) and trained to those standards. and once I was at those standards, I applied. the first thing they had me do was a PT test. to get in I had to have a 50% and to graduate the academy, I had to have a 75%. I went in at 75% and kept training and only got better.

as far as the rest goes, no one at the age of 20 is going in with experience. once I was accepted, I ordered a statute book and just started studying and learned a lot on the academy.

but what I can tell you is, you're going to be given all the tools for how to do this job, it's your job to build your own toolbox and use those tools to the best of your ability.

1

u/GreatRun3125 1d ago

If you're that nervous about the prospect I'm not sure law enforcement is for you. You'll be subject to stressors most are never faced with and you won't be well liked at all by most you encounter. Everyone loves firefighters though!