In the states of Arkansas and Indiana, you can become a police officer WITHOUT attending a police academy for up to 1 year. In the state of Arkansas, a person can be granted arrest powers, obtain a badge, and a firearm WITHOUT FORMAL TRAINING. In Arkansas, a newly hired officer can work, arrest, and carry a weapon for up to 9 months, unless you get an extension for an extra 3 months to attend the police academy. Newly hired officers can carry weapon after passing a 50-round qualification test. In Indiana, a newly hired officer has until their anniversary on the job to complete training and receive certifications. They also have a similar qualification test to allow them to be armed. In times like these, this is NOT ACCEPTABLE. No officer should be allowed to be on the job not even 1 SINGLE DAY without formal training and certifications. This needs to be changed ASAP. There also have already been an incident with an untrained officer accidentally shooting a man in the back with their gun. UNACCEPTABLE.