Somehow, I missed this question, when it first was asked. Thanks to Jill the Tooth for the wake up call.
I, like you, had always wanted to be a police officer, since I was about 8 years old. I joined the National Guard and had been a member for a year. For some unknown reason, one day I drove to my police department, walked in, and asked for a job. I was hired on the spot. I guess they knew if the Guard had accepted me, that I was a good officer candidate. I had to wait until the next police academy classes started, which was about 6 months. I was hired as a Service Technician, until then.
I just retired with 44 years of service. I am now about to go back, as an Investigator, to help with a backlog of crimes.
I have never regretted that day I walked in and asked for the job.
For more information, go online to your police department and see what their qualifications are for a police officer in your town. jp