Arkansas Police Academy Requirements

The Arkansas police academy requirements are designed to limit police candidates to the best. Below is a list of all the requirements.

Academy Training

Subjects taught include search and seizure, criminal law, patrol procedures, police community relations and first aid, firearms, defensive tactics and physical fitness.  A recruit must successfully complete all training requirements of the State of Arkansas and the local police department.

Age Requirement

A State Trooper Recruit must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. There is no upper age limit. Note: The on-line application asks if you are at least 21 years of age, or will be 21 within six months.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants are required to be residents of Arkansas as well as citizens of the United States of America.

Educational Requirement

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application.  It is not a requirement that the diploma or GED be obtained within Arkansas.  Also required are thirty (30) semester hours from an accredited college or university with a “C” average or better. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted. The Arkansas police academy requirements for education are designed to allow many candidates to apply. It’s highly recommended that an applicant go beyond the minimum requirements, a full college degree will set you ahead of the other candidates.

Applicant will be required to take a written/oral examination, psychological test, as well as a polygraph examination.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Arkansas State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed above.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Arkansas State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Arkansas State Police.

The core purpose of the Arkansas State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Arkansas State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Arkansas State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Arkansas State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Readiness Test

• Sit-ups– The student will lie on his/her back, knee’s bent at a 45-degree angle, feet flat on the floor and will raise his/her upper body to approximately 90-degrees. Students will do maximum number of sit-ups in one minute. Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (25 sit-ups) in 1 minute.
• Agility Run– The student will lie on the floor in a prone position. They will then get up and sprint 30 feet and return. They will then negotiate 4 obstacles covering a 30 foot area and return through the obstacles. The test  concludes with another 30 foot sprint and return. Measures ability to get up from the ground and sprint while changing directions.Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (19.1 seconds) 
• Push-ups– The student starts in the front leaning rest position, hands on floor, arms fully extended. As the arms are flexed, the body is lowered parallel to, but not touching, the floor. Women may do modified push-ups with the knees resting on the floor vs. toes resting on the floor as during regular push-ups. Student will do maximum number of push-ups in one minute.Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (19 push-ups) in 1 minute. 
• Sit and Reach– The student will sit on the floor in front of the measuring device. They will bend at the waist pushing a block down the device. The stretch must be a static stretch and the student’s calves must remain in contact with the floor. The sit and reach measures flexibility in the lower back, legs and shouldersLaw Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (15 inches) with 2 attempts. 
• Run– The student will run a 1.5 mile course in his/her best time. The 1.5 mile run measures the cardio/respiratory fitness of the student.Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (16.55) for 1.5 mile run.

• Bench Press– Bench Press is conducted on a single fulcrum bench for safety purposes. The student is to press the weight straight up until they have locked their arms.  The bench press measures the upper body strength for one repetition.Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Norm is (0.71) minimum with 2 attempts.
• Each applicant is required to also pass a basic physical. An uncorrected visual acuity of 20/100 or better in each eye. Must possess normal color discrimination, depth perception and peripheral vision (at least 75 degrees on each eye). Must be free on any hearing defect.

NOTE:  The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.