Individuals who wish to become officers of the law in Nebraska must be equipped to check off all of the requirements which can be found in the section below. Once a person meets these, they can apply for job openings or during open recruitment times. If picked to go through the process, an applicant would first complete a written exam followed by the physical exam. An extensive background check comes next. There are several other exams which follow the background check: psychological, medical, drug tests etc. If selected a person will go to a Nebraska police training academy to be trained as a police officer.

Nebraska State Requirements

Minimum requirements for those wanted to be hired as a police officer in Nebraska:

  • Be able to read at an 11th grade level
  • Be at minimum 21
  • Have a high school diploma/GED
  • Have no convictions that were punishable by imprisonment for one year or more
  • Have no domestic violence convictions
  • Have no DUI/DWI convictions in the last two years
  • Possess a valid Nebraska driver’s license

Salary for Nebraska Law Enforcement Jobs

The average income for police officers in Nebraska is approximately 47,600 a year. This is fairly average pay across the country. A person looking to increase pay may do so by serving in good standing for many years, also by gaining a promotion in rank or having a higher level degree. Detectives and criminal investigators can make around 64,000 a year.

School Programs in Nebraska with Law Enforcement Degrees

Although Nebraska does not require a person to have any college prior to applying, it is smart to pursue higher education after high school and before applying. Not only can this equip a person with more knowledge regarding legal issues and criminal justice, it can also give an applicant a leg up on other candidates who did not pursue a degree. Those with a higher education can also start out at a higher pay than other beginning officers.

  • Bellevue University

1000 Galvin Road S, Bellevue, NE 68005

402-293-2000

  • Central Community College

3134 W US Hwy 34, Grand Island, NE 68801

308-398-4222

  • Chadron State College

1000 Main Street, Chadron, NE 69337

800-242-3766

  • Doane College

1014 Boswell Avenue, Crete, NE 68333

402-826-2161

  • ITT Technical Institute

1120 N 103rd, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68114

402-331-2900

  • Metropolitan Community College of Nebraska

PO Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103

402-457-2400

  • Midland Lutheran College

900 North Clarkson, Fremont, NE 68025

800-642-8382

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University

5000 Saint Paul Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504

402-466-2371

  • Northeast Community College

801 E Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68702

402-844-7360

  • Peru State College

600 Hoyt Street, Peru, NE 68421

402-872-3815

  • Southeast Community College

301 South 68th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

402-323-3400

  • University of Nebraska-Kearney

2504 9th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849

308-865-8441

  • University of Nebraska-Omaha

6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68182

402-554-2800

  • Wayne State College

1111 Main Street, Wayne, NE 68787

402-375-7000

  • Western Nebraska Community College

1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

303-635-3606