North Dakota Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The North Dakota police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. North Dakota police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

North Dakota police academy age requirements state that applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of North Dakota and possess a valid North Dakota driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet. Must possess a valid driver’s license and have been licensed to drive for a minimum of one year, with no loss of license within the past year and an acceptable driving record. Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

North Dakota Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application. Original high school diploma or original GED with minimum total score of 225, and a minimum of 35 points for each section, required at time of application. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.

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 North Dakota State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  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 North Dakota State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the North Dakota State Police.

The core purpose of the North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the North Dakota 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

1. One Mile Run

• Measures cardiovascular endurance and/or aerobic power.
• Run the distance as fast as possible
1. Push-up Test
   • Measures the muscular endurance of certain upper body muscles. It is important for use-of-force situations.
   • Assume the push-up position. Palms on the ground approximately shoulder-width apart, back straight, feet approximately 8″ apart. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the surface then push up again. At the end of the extension, the elbows should lock out. The back is straight throughout the motion. Any rest should be in the raised position.
2. Sit-up Test
   • Measures the endurance of the trunk muscles. This is important for performing tasks that involve the use of force, and in minimizing lower back problems.
   • Lie on your back, knees bent, heels flat on the mat or ground. Fold arms across the chest, with elbows out to the sides. A partner holds down feet. In the up position, you must touch your forearms to your thighs and then return to a position with the lower crest of the shoulder blade touching before starting the next sit-up. You may rest either in the starting or up position.
3. Sit and Reach Test
   • Measures the muscular endurance of certain upper body muscles. It is important for use-of-force situations.
   • Warm up slowly by practicing the test. The participant sits on the surface with shoes off and legs extended at right angles to the box. Keep the legs straight. The heels touch the near edge of the box and are 8² apart. Center the measuring stick between the legs. Slowly reach forward with one hand over the other with the arms straight, as far as possible. The fitness coordinator will determine the distance reached. The best of three tries will be the score.

1 Mile Run (Male)

1 Mile Run (Female)

Push-Ups (Upper body strength) (Male)

Push-Ups (Upper body strength) (Female)

1 Minute Sit-Up (Trunk Strength) (Male)

1 Minute Sit-up (Trunk Strength) (Female)

Sit and Reach (Inches) (15 is neutral) (Flexibility) (Male)

Sit and Reach (Inches) (15 is neutral) (Flexibility) (Female)

* NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.