If you are on Patrol, be careful. The perps may have a loaded gun or knife. You may be risking your life unless you get a desk job or do traffic duty. As long as you can pass the local Police Academy and be a resident of the city/county you protect, then you can be a Police Officer. Just hope that you get a partner that will teach you all the tricks of the trade. Best places for a speed-trap, best free donuts in town, how to take down a perp without killing him/her, where the snitches hang out, etc.