There are several types of liaison officers, and you will first need to choose a particular field in order to become a liaison officer. Some of the most common types are police, school, and community liaison officers, which may have different requirements depending on the duties of the position. Once you have chosen a field, you should research various job descriptions to determine the qualifications needed. The minimal educational requirement for this position is usually a high school diploma, but some companies may prefer that you have a college degree and specific training.
This profession will generally require that you are at least 18 years of age and have completed high school or an equivalent program. These are usually minimum requirements, but in order to increase your chances to become a liaison officer, you may want to consider entering a criminal justice related college program. Most programs usually offer coursework in community-based corrections, case management, comparative correctional systems, crime prevention, and criminology courses. The majority of these jobs may also require that you become a police officer and undergo the appropriate training.
In order to pursue a career in a police department, you will need to research your local department's requirements and apply through your local precinct. Physical wellness will be needed, and you should involve yourself in an exercise regimen in order to stay fit. In addition to a physical examination, you will most likely be required to take a written civil service test depending on the location and position that you have chosen. The local library and college courses can be excellent preparation for these written tests.
You will need to participate in various training programs to become a liaison officer, but the various positions will require different types of training. Once you are working as a liaison officer, you will be assigned a job depending on the position you have applied to. For instance, school liaison officers are assigned to a certain school and are responsible for overseeing student behavior and enforcing the law within the school. Police liaison officers may be assigned to a public facility, such as a community center or library, and are also required to enforce the law within the specific facility.
Communication skills, an impeccable background, technical writing abilities, and public speaking skills may also be required to become a liaison officer. This position requires a great deal of communication with the public and other professionals, which will require that you have polished interpersonal skills. These positions are area-specific, and researching local requirements will be instrumental to entering this profession.