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Best police officer certifications
The best certifications for a police officer are Communications Training Officer (CTO), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Certified Corrections Officer (CCO).
Police officer certifications demonstrate your competency as a police officer to employers. However, not all police officer certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best police officer certifications. Obtaining a police officer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for police officers
| Rank | Police officer certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communications Training Officer (CTO) | APCO |
| 2 | OSHA Safety Certificate | Delaware Tech... |
| 3 | Certified Corrections Officer (CCO) | ACA |
| 4 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 5 | Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSS) | IFPO |
| 6 | Certified Criminal Investigator | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 7 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 8 | Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law | NBTA |
| 9 | EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) | EPA |
| 10 | Physical Security Certification (PSC) | CDSE |
| 11 | Certified Homeland Security Manager (CHSM) | C4SEM |
| 12 | Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019) | Microsoft |
| 13 | Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM) | ACCA |
| 14 | Emergency Medicine | ABPS |
| 15 | Certified Application Security Engineer - Java (CASE) | EC-Council |
| 16 | Military Fitness Specialist Certification | AFAA |
| 17 | Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED | American Red ... |
| 18 | Certified Jail Officer (CJO) | AJA |
| 19 | Certified Director of Safety (CDS) | NATMI |
| 20 | Activity Consultant Certified (ACC) | NCCAP |
20 best police officer certifications
1. Communications Training Officer (CTO)
Practical exercises used throughout the course support the knowledge gained in lecture and demonstration. The course is available live or from the APCO Institute Online. If taught by your own APCO Institute-certified instructor, it becomes an economical way to certify your trainers. The instructor version includes a CD with PowerPoint files to enhance the learning experience and a pool of scenarios to use in class, as well as all the samples that students receive.Topics include:CTO Roles and ResponsibilitiesApproaches to Training Liability The Adult Learner Communicating with Your Trainee CTO Program Overview Performance Evaluation Daily Documentation Objective vs. Subjective Comments
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
2. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
3. Certified Corrections Officer (CCO)
This category includes all personnel who work directly with offenders.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
5. Certified Security Supervision & Management (CSS)
The program candidate must have six months previous security supervisory/management experience or equivalent. Remit the certification fee to IFPO to receive the CSSM application. Candidates accepted into this portion of the program are required to address 10 simulated workplace scenarios demanding supervisory/management action.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certified Criminal Investigator
The Certified Criminal Investigator program instructs, measures, and assesses knowledge and competency of investigators in both the public and private sectors. Providing a foundation of forensics basics, this course creates a measure of standardization in the field of investigation. As the National Academy of Sciences' report on the Forensic Sciences reflects, certification for investigators is more crucial than ever before to fill the gaps in the field.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required?
7. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law
Board Certification is a rigorous testing and approval process that officially recognizes the extensive education and courtroom experience of our attorneys. NBLSC provides Board Certification for Trial Lawyers, Civil Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, Family Lawyers and Social Security Disability Lawyers.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)
A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
10. Physical Security Certification (PSC)
The Physical Security Certification (PSC) is ideal for DoD, Industry, and federal members performing physical security functions.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
11. Certified Homeland Security Manager (CHSM)
Offered by the C4SEM with continuing studies and corporate education, this certificate program is designed for personnel working in the areas of counter terrorism, public safety, security management, and law enforcement; executives in corporations responsible for overseeing in-house homeland security programs; and information technology professionals. Candidates interested in enhancing their future career prospects may also benefit from this program by broadening their studies to encompass security within public and private industry. This program focuses on the complexities of homeland and national security providing executives, managers and practitioners with exceptional professional education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
12. Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019)
Demonstrate that you have the advanced skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert certification in multiple Office programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
13. Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM)
The ACCA Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM) is ACCA’s new and latest Public Sector qualification. Given the pace of change and size of expenditure in the public sector, it’s critical that finance professionals working in the sector have the right skills to deal with the challenges ahead. In response to demand from the public sector, we have developed the Certificate in Public Financial Management to help support and build strong public financial management. The ACCA Certificate in Public Financial Management will transform the finance capabilities of your organisation. By delivering the public finance knowledge, skills and ethical values needed by organisations like yours, our new Certificate will help you build financial capability and assess your employees. It introduces the essentials of public financial management. It provides a practical and broad-based knowledge of public financial management, teaching the foundations of public sector finance and ensuring finance professionals in the public sector have a core understanding of what is involved.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
14. Emergency Medicine
The ABPS's emergency medicine board certification exams enable successful candidates to present themselves to the public as qualified medical specialists in emergency medicine. Completing the emergency medicine board certification exams indicates mastery of emergency medicine experience and knowledge, as well as a professional commitment to adhere to the ABPS Medical Code of Ethics.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 8 year(s)
15. Certified Application Security Engineer - Java (CASE)
The Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE) credential is developed in partnership with large application and software development experts globally. The CASE credential tests the critical security skills and knowledge required throughout a typical software development life cycle (SDLC), focusing on the importance of the implementation of secure methodologies and practices in today’s insecure operating environment. The CASE certified training program is developed concurrently to prepare software professionals with the necessary capabilities that are expected by employers and academia globally.It is designed to be a hands-on, comprehensive application security course that will help software professionals create secure applications. The training program encompasses security activities involved in all phases of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): planning, creating, testing, and deploying an application.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
16. Military Fitness Specialist Certification
The Military Fitness Specialist Certification combines the knowledge and skills of personal fitness trainers and group exercise instructors. It is designed to assist active duty military members and civilians working with military members and to increase participants' fitness knowledge and programming skills and will be beneficial for anyone who plans, implements, and/or leads physical training sessions and programs for military members. The certified Military Fitness Specialist will be able to instruct specific group fitness classes, unit physical training sessions, and provide appropriate orientations and program designs for member groups and individuals. Certificate is valid for a period of two years.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
17. Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
Participants learn the importance of AEDs, and how to use an AED properly.The professional rescuer courses are designed for people with job-related duties in emergency preparedness and response. This includes nurses, law enforcement and EMS personnel, fire fighters, business and industry response teams, lifeguards, flight attendants, and others who must take action in emergency situations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
18. Certified Jail Officer (CJO)
The Certified Jail Officer (CJO) Program was developed to assist jail officers in preparing themselves for advancement in the profession of jail management. The CJO Program provides jail officers with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as their commitment to the corrections profession on a national level.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
19. Certified Director of Safety (CDS)
Certified Director of Safety (CDS) is for individuals with five years experience in the safety field or, four years in the safety field with a 4-year college degree. Candidates must serve as full-time administrators demonstrating their capability of handling a position which involves establishing programs and policies, setting standards, developing materials, and providing leadership to achieve the goals set. The certification includes two exams: Motor Fleet Safety Basics (Testing option available) and Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
20. Activity Consultant Certified (ACC)
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals is a credentialing body which sets standards and criteria for those working to meet the leisure needs of those in their care. A Certified Activity Consultant (ACC) meets NCCAP standards to be a consultant or educator for an activity program, staff, or department.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a police officer?
The best police officer certification is Communications Training Officer (CTO). The Communications Training Officer (CTO) is awarded by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Institute, Inc.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this police officer certification:
- To become a certified Communications Training Officer (CTO), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 2 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for police officers?
The most in-demand police officer certification is Certified Corrections Officer based on all active job postings. Having this police officer certification will give you access to more police officer jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a police officer career and salary?
The First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor certification will help you to secure a deputy sheriff position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A deputy sheriff's average salary is $51,260 whereas police officers make an average salary of $52,638.
The most common combination of police officer certifications include: Communications Training Officer (CTO), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Certified Corrections Officer (CCO).
Online courses for police officers to earn certifications
1. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
2. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice
The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...
3. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
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4. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course
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5. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
6. An Introduction to American Law
This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...
7. Effective Legal Office Administration
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8. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy
A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...
9. European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals
The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. This six week course is the first in a series of three that will provide students with an insight into European Business Law. The series ranges from considering the basic structures and principles of the European Union to focusing on various specialized areas of law. Each course will give the students an understanding of the laws and policies that regulate the internal market of European Union, as well as relevant...
10. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
11. Introduction to Criminal Psychology
Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...
12. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED
Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...
13. Privacy Law and HIPAA
What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...
14. Privacy Law and Data Protection
What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...
15. Diploma Course in Labour Laws and Statutory Compliances
Every HR and Entrepreneur should know - with FAQs...
16. English for Business and Law - Contract Law
An English language course for business and law...
17. American Contract Law II
Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:...
18. What is Corruption: Anti-Corruption and Compliance
Have you ever paid someone for doing you a favor? You may be accustomed to tipping wait staff or other service providers, but what if you paid a police officer for NOT issuing a parking ticket? Or if you gave a “gift” to a government official for signing a contract with your company? Tipping might be okay, but paying a bribe is a violation of the law. Bribery is widespread and exists almost everywhere and in many forms. Compliance programs address this and other forms of corruption. In this...
19. Company Law: A Comprehensive Summary
An in-depth summary of Company Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations...
20. CYBER CRIME & CYBER LAW - DR. PAVAN DUGGAL - CYBERLAW UNIV.
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