A: In order to become a cop you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 21 years of age. In addition to this, you must have a valid driver's license and fulfill specified physical requirements. You must at least have a high school diploma as well.: If you want to be a police officer you first need to have the right aptitude. The minimum education required to be in this field is a high school degree. Generally, those in the field have a bachelor's degree in criminology and such relevant subjects.