How to Become a Police Officer in Mississippi

Who can apply

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You need a high school diploma or GED.
• You must be in good physical and mental condition, verified by a licensed physician.
• You must have good moral character. BLEOST considers offenses involving dishonesty, violence or moral turpitude even if they were dismissed, non-adjudicated or expunged.
• On the certification application you swear you have never been convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to, or been put on probation or pretrial diversion for a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and that any military discharge was under honorable conditions.

Step by step

1. Get hired by a Mississippi law enforcement agency (or attend an academy as a self-sponsored cadet).
2. Your agency completes a background investigation and sends your fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety.
3. Your agency submits Parts I, II and III of the BLEOST Application for Certification within 30 days of your hire date.
4. Complete a BLEOST-approved basic law enforcement course within 1 year of hire (2 years for part-time officers).
5. BLEOST reviews your file and issues your certificate.

Training and exam

Training: BLEOST's basic training curriculum is 480 hours for full-time officers and 307 hours for part-time officers. Full-time officers must complete a BLEOST-approved basic course within 1 year of hire. Part-time officers have 2 years. If you miss the deadline you lose your authority to serve as an officer. Self-sponsored cadets must get certified within 2 years of finishing training or repeat the course.

What it costs in Mississippi

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: BLEOST rules require municipal police officers to complete 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education every year (the requirement phased up from 8 hours after July 1, 2004). Municipal officers who do not comply can have their certification revoked, and the agency is placed on administrative hold. Municipal police chiefs need 20 hours of executive-level training a year (40 in their first year), and sheriffs need 20 hours a year.

Good to know in Mississippi

Officers from other states and the military: Certified officers from other states, federal agencies or the military can ask for equivalency if they had equivalent basic training, held full-time certification, and have no break in service over five years. BLEOST then grants full equivalency, requires a refresher course, or requires the full academy.

Breaks in service: If you leave law enforcement for more than two years, you usually need more training or recertification and a full new application. Under two years, your new agency files a transfer/rehire application in Acadis.

Who must be certified: Full-time, part-time, reserve and auxiliary officers who are sworn, carry a weapon, can make arrests, and whose main job is law enforcement must all be certified.

Grandfathered officers: Officers employed full-time on or before July 1, 1981 who have not had a break in service of more than two years are exempt from BLEOST training requirements.

Sources

• Mississippi DPS - BLEOST Frequently Asked Questions
• BLEOST Full-Time Law Enforcement Application for Certification and Background Investigation Review
• Mississippi BLEOST Policies and Procedures (Title 23, Part 301)
• BLEOST Professional Certification Policy and Procedures Manual (March 2022)