A high school diploma is almost always required for working as a police officer when its time to attend the police academy you will be challenged both physically and academically law enforcement agencies and police academies alike need to know that youre up for the task and one indicator of this is the ability to earn your diploma. Police officers have to have quick reflexes the ability to run short or long distances and the strength to detain suspects youll have to pass a physical agility test to qualify for becoming a police officer so start working out now to make sure youre in your best physical shape join a gym work with a personal trainer or just start running every day to get yourself in shape. Working as a police officer comes with salary and benefits packages that few other careers can match the bureau of labor statistics puts the median salary for officers at 62960 in 2017 up from 61600 a year earlier half of all officers earned more than this and half earned less. Pass the licensing exam the next step to becoming a police officer is to earn a passing score on your states police licensing board exam your education and training will prepare you to take the peace officer standards and training post exam each state has its own licensing board so the tests will also vary