How hard is it to get into CPD?

Getting into the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is challenging due to a multi-stage process involving strict education/experience, rigorous exams (written, physical POWER test, psych), and thorough background checks, but it's achievable with preparation, especially as they've historically sought more officers. Key hurdles are the education requirement (60 college credits or qualifying experience), passing the entrance exam testing reasoning/fitness, and clearing a deep background investigation, but many find it straightforward if they meet all qualifications and prepare for each step.

Is the Chicago police test hard?

Each CPD recruitment drive follows a familiar pattern: thousands apply, most fail the CPOE, and many face a 12-month wait to try again. The Chicago Police Exam isn't mysterious—it's a standardized measure of reasoning, problem-solving, and psychological fitness.

What is the hardest police force to join?

The Toughest Police Academies in the US

• HOW DOES THE ACADEMY SYSTEM WORK? Before entering the academy, a police officer's educational journey starts with a high school diploma or GED. ...
• MARYLAND STATE POLICE ACADEMY. ...
• NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE ACADEMY. ...
• VIRGINIA STATE POLICE TRAINING DIVISION.

How much do you get paid in cpd academy?

How much do cpd academy jobs pay per hour? $24.27 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $27.27 / hr.

What disqualifies you from police academy?

Police academy disqualifiers typically include serious criminal history (felonies, domestic violence), recent illegal drug use, significant driving infractions (like multiple DUIs), dishonorable military discharge, and dishonesty or fraud in the application process, with many departments also looking at poor employment history, gang affiliation, and social media conduct as red flags.
 

Chris Voss on the Beginning Stages of Becoming a Police Officer - Jocko Willink

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks to pass are typically for top-secret government security clearances or highly sensitive corporate roles, involving deep dives into finances, international history, personal relationships (interviews with family/friends), and extensive criminal/employment records (SF-86 form), often requiring levels 4/5 screening with credit checks, social media, and more. These checks are notoriously difficult due to their sheer depth and the scrutiny on financial stability, integrity, and trustworthiness, far beyond standard employment checks.
 

Can a cop make 300K a year?

Yes, some police officers can make over $300,000, but it usually requires massive amounts of overtime, working in high-cost-of-living areas like California or Boston, and sometimes comes from specific situations like pandemics or staffing shortages. While the median salary for patrol officers is much lower (around $70k-$80k), high earners achieve $300k+ through significant extra hours and other pay, often exceeding their base pay.
 

Is 32 too old to become a cop?

No, 32 is generally not too old to become a police officer, as many agencies welcome older recruits, valuing their life experience, though some departments have upper age limits (often around 37-40, sometimes with veteran exceptions) or varying requirements, so checking specific local/state rules is key, but be prepared to meet physical standards and potential financial adjustments. 

Do you go home every day in the police academy?

No, you don't always go home every day from police academy; it depends on the specific academy, with many being commuter academies where you go home nightly, while others (especially for larger state agencies like California Highway Patrol or Michigan State Police) are residential "live-in" boot camp styles. Commuter academies, often tied to colleges, run daytime hours Monday-Friday, allowing you to return home, while live-in academies require you to stay on-site, even during the week. 

At what age do most cops start?

Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.

What state is easiest to be a cop in?

California ranked No. 1 for police officers in 2025, with top-tier salaries and strong training requirements. Alaska ranked last, due to low scores in training, income, and safety metrics. The report compared states using 30 metrics, including violent crime rates, officer fatalities, and access to benefits.

Why are police struggling to recruit?

Police recruitment is down due to a combination of factors, including increased public scrutiny and negative sentiment after 2020, higher job-related stress and burnout, a competitive job market with better pay/hours elsewhere, and a generational shift valuing work-life balance over traditional government careers, making the demanding, risky, and scrutinized role less appealing to younger candidates. 

Which age is best for police?

AGE : Minimum 18 years and maximum 28 years for Open category candidates (33 years for Reserve category candidates). HEIGHT: For male candidate-165 cms & for female candidate-155 cms.

Is the CPD exam hard?

The CPD exam is justifiably difficult. To reiterate, the intent of the CPD credential is to show that an individual demonstrates the highest level of skills in plumbing design.

What drugs does cpd test for?

Marijuana. Cocaine. Opiates – opium and codeine derivatives. Amphetamines and methamphetamines.

What age can you not be a cop anymore?

There's no single "too old" age to become a cop, as it varies by department, but many agencies set limits (often 35-40) for retirement benefit reasons, though exceptions and waivers (especially for veterans) are common, with some departments even removing caps entirely, allowing older candidates to join if they pass fitness tests and other requirements. 

What is the average age of a rookie police officer?

Somewhere between 24-27 is probably average. Of course, every agency is different.

Can I legally cuss out a cop?

No, cursing at a cop isn't automatically illegal due to First Amendment free speech protections, but it can quickly become a crime (like disorderly conduct or resisting arrest) if it escalates to threats, physical actions (spitting, shaking fists), or significantly obstructs the officer's duties, with the specific context, state laws, and officer's perception of immediate threat playing big roles in whether an arrest occurs. 

Do cops work 7 days a week?

No, cops don't typically work 7 days straight, but they work 24/7, meaning their schedules include nights, weekends, and holidays, with shifts often rotating and days off not always being Saturday/Sunday. While some officers work 5 days (8-hour shifts), many use 10-hour or 12-hour shifts (like 4/10s or 3/12s) for more days off in a row, all designed to provide continuous coverage for public safety. 

Are police officers millionaires?

Based on this small but unfortunately realistic 4% return, an $80,000 annual pension payout implies a rather large pot of money behind it–$2 million, to be precise. That's a lot. That $2 million also happens to be the implied booty of your average California policeman who retires at age 55.

What looks bad on a background check?

Job-related criminal records are red flags because they reflect the relationship between the candidate's past behavior and the performance expected on the job. For instance, recent convictions for writing bad checks or theft are red flags for candidates applying for accounting positions.

What's higher than Top Secret?

Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). It is not truly "above" Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret.

What job has the hardest interview?

The tech industry is often cited as having some of the most challenging interviews. Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon are known for their extensive interview rounds that assess not only coding proficiency but also system design expertise and behavioral competencies.