you need 60 college credits to become a cop and in most other states you need a 4 year degree. It was a hell of a lot easier to become a cop 10-20 years ago then it is now. They go through shit loads of pysch tests and physicals. The same with the fire Department. you need 30 college credits, you need to be CFR-D certified (one step below an EMT), go through medical & pysch tests, and then the hardest physical in the country. The FDNY physical is no joke. People have died trying to do it. It was seriously the hardest thing that I have done.