I am entering the police academy in Jan and was wondering about other peoples experiences? Any tips would???
922374
Start physical training TODAY. Running would be best. \n\nLearn some basic military close order drill, like facing movements (left face, about face, etc.)\n\nDon't go crazy with short buzz hair cut.\n\nBe prepared to be yelled at. You're going to put up with some BS.\n\nDon't forget to STUDY. You're going to have a lot of information thrown at you.\n\nRemember to turn on the "game" when you step into the academy and turn it off when you leave. I mean your family and friends really don't want to be shown all the great tricks you're going to learn in unarmed defense class.
875912
My daughter didn't know what she wanted to do after graduating high school, so spent the next year working in a resort community. After getting to know the police officers there, she started to look into being a police officer. She's now close to graduating from college, and is attending the police academy. What I'm saying is that many kids don't know what they want to be until they get involved with something. Then, their natural talents kick in, and they begin to realize what they're good at. So, look at your talents. What are you really into? What feels more like fun than work? I think it's great to hear someone say that they get to work at what they love and ,oh by the way, they get paid to do it too! When you're excited about your job, you know that that's where you need to be. Whether that's waitressing or wheeling & dealing with corporations, enjoying your job is much better for you all around. Of course, having ANY job now days is better than nothing. I guess you need to look at the reasons behind you wanting to transfer. Don't just go to a college because of where it's located. That can get boring really quick. Look at what they have to offer. Also, look at your own talents. Line up what you have with what these colleges have to offer and see what sticks out. If your grades have been really decent, most colleges would be glad to have you. If your grades weren't so hot, you might consider going to a tech school, and get trained for a specific trade. It's cheaper and quicker. Hope you have much success in your career choice. <*)))><
259130
If you are truly going into the criminal justice field  I can tell you from experience that it does take time.  They have to weed out people as well as do thorough background checks which takes some time.\n\nBe patient and it will come.  In the mean time you can continue to look for employment in the field you chose and continue to interview.\n\nGood luck!!
466363
You can just go to the police station and ask. Or talk to one when they pull you over. \n My mother has been a cop for almost 23 yrs. When you reach 14 yrs of age you can become a Explore (which is like a cop in training)  I use to be one. This gives you the experience and the knowledge you need to become a cop. Just ask your local station if they have this program! (Explores program)       Most do! Good luck!
529003
Hey,\nMy ambition in life is to become a Police Officer! It has been same for the past 8 years. (I'm 16) It used to be the whole gun and power dilemma. As the years past by, I started to respect Police Officers for who they are. Their presence makes me bulletproof...\n\n I was in my first car accident months ago. I met my Hero, who is a Paramedic. He told me “It’s all right you still have a pretty face.” Then he was gone. Just like that, before I could say 'Thank-you'. He left me enough courage and strength to last me the rest of my life. I'll always be thank-full for his presence, which I was blessed with, despite the stitches of my forehead. He told me his first name and with only that I'm a struggling teenager on the search for my Hero for the past 5 months. Just to say thanks and let him know he's my Hero. His brilliant sparkling eyes, warm sweet smile as he held my face his hands covering my face, I can never forget. His words are still fresh in my mind. Just a Thank-you I need to say. \nI've learnt a lot. I think I found myself; I met people I never dared to talk to (Police Officers, Firefighters) b/c they make my knees feel weak and my heart drop low. I've admired them since age 8, and now they tell me they’re proud of me. Wow! My Hero has changed me, he's opened locked doors for me in my life, and so he was my key. I don't know what I'll say if I find him, I'm speechless, I think I'll hug him tight and tell him I can trust him with my life... \nI want to be a good daughter, sister, friend and stranger. \nI have so many problems in life to clear yet my world remains beautiful through my eyes. There's so much more to see, pros and cons - it's life. It's not going to change for me, so I'm going to change it. I just want to be someone who can help... Thanks!\n\nWarm Regards! \nHidden4eternity
221539
got drunk (exremely drunk) and got into a fight with another chick and got picked up by the police for underage drinking and while at the police station the only thing i would say(scream) was. . .*uck u, i hate the *ucking police, *uck u!!! Luckily when i sobered up the cop i had been arrested by said if i went to D&A counseling for 3 months he'd drop charges so i did!
989372
Like any career, Law Enforcement has its ups and down. \n\nThe good...the pay is decent, the benefits are good, and the retirement is good. Every shift is deifferent and you'll get to experience things in a year that most people don't experience in a lifetime. Also ,there's the satisfaction of taking criminals off the street.\n\nThe bad...cops tend to have a high divorce rate, alcoholism rate, and suicide rate (although I don't have the statistics to back any of those up). Forget about any sort of privacy in your life cause everything you do is scrutinized (just take a look at some of the Q&A on this web site) both publicly and privatly. \n\nYou have to be very selective about where you eat out and if you live where you work, keep a close eye on your family (especially if its a small town). Don't expect to be appreciated for arresting the armed robber who just robbed someone at gun point. Instead plan on getting an excessive force complaint that the handcuffs are on too tight and then expect your employer to take it seriously and put you in an internal affairs investigation.\n\nPlan on working nights, spending very little time with your family (which may explain the high divorce rate), being called out in the middle of the night, and then spending your days off in court. \n\nStill, its one of the best, most rewarding jobs in the world and there's nothing else I'd rather do.\n\nAs far as making detective...in the vast majority of police and sheriff's departments, you wont be detective for at LEAST 6 or 7 years, and thats being optimistic. It takes hard work and lots of dedication.
805199
Yeah I have been there...Its a really good place and everyone there is really helpful!! Good luck and congrats!
556943
I think that the NYPD is your best bet.  The benefits package is excellent and you are covered from the first day that you start the job.  Also there are hundreds of units that you can go to you sound like ESU would be the way to go for you.  Also you are able to buy back some of your military time and there is a way that you can get paid for your training while you are in the academy.
509380
I was on my way to the police academy. I had a guy riding my arse waving a knife. So I pulled into the Sheriff's Department, guy still following me.  \n\nI jumped out (me in my uniform,gunbelt,etc) and 5 Sheriff's deputies. \n\nI think the guy probably shat himself just before he tried to run. The Deputies set up a road block before he got on the free way and performed the "felony Stop" routine on him which included 6 deputies and 2 police officers ordering him out of his car at gun point.  \n\nIt was pretty sweet.
1166469
That is not hard. Send your resume to all the police staions in your area. You don;t need them to tell you they have openings. The Government is always looking for good cops. Remember you just cannot get a cop job, you have to apply for the training first and if you pass that, then you get the cop job. Its not like a scretarial job. Where you can just apply and get the job. Good luck. Hope to see you on the road in about eighteen months.
1157050
Normally I would say 95 percent of the people that go to the academy are already hired and sponsered into the department, also many police departments have thier own academy which you can't even go into unless you are hired by that department.\n\nSo most as long as you make a passing score and on of the required elements you continue to work for the department and leave the academy and move on to field training.\n\nNext almost all of those not already hired when they start an academy ( pay thier own way)  have written job offers before they graduate pending thier graduation.\n\nOnce you are a graduate you become POST certified, that is normally the only requirement, not a specific grade.\nNext there will be several grades,  academics, self defence, physical training, restraints,  high speed pursuit, and firearms.\n\nNormally the top graduate and the second top recieved honors,  ( normally most departments offer the student thier pick of shift if they are Number one.  ( but I found out in real life that  althouigh they promice this, they don't really give it to you.  ( unless you pick 2nd shift)\n\nOnce you are POST certified you will find some department somewhere that will hire you,
228017
That depends on the cop! Some are good and some are bad. It also depends on my current behavior and what I've been getting myself into if I like or hate them. My dad used to be one, and I won't even get into what kind of cop he was!!!
580024
I have a friend that recently went through police training. One thing that they had to do was...\n5 trainees stood side by side and interlocked their elbows. The trainee at either end were given a wire each to hold onto and they were then hit with a taser jolt which had an equal effect on each of them.
798049
I don't know about the test for the NY PD but in N.M. you must pass the coopers standard physical test at 60% to enter the academy but that doesn't mean you will make it. In my class only 40% made it and most of the ones that didn't was because of the physical and physiological stress so i advise you to get in as god shape as you can and have your personal life squared away.
1071668
Pay no attention to the idiot above.... Remember one thing...any JOB is what you make of it.  I happen to like Orange County best...The pay is above par and the commute from Riverside is not so bad.  I have worked for LA County, too, but the commute was really bad.  Qualifying is a piece of cake if you are in good shape, and have passed P.O.S.T.  Skills are the same for almost all PD's so don't worry about that.  Orals are relatively easy to pass, so long as you know your criminology, and as long as there are no major infractions you should pass the Back-ground easily...BE ABSOLUTELY SURE to be honest about past infractions because they will not be counted against you if you are up front and honest...but if they find one that you didn't mention....You will be disqualified and debarred from future appointments.\n\nJust my 2 cents.
695143
I am in the same boat. What I have heard is while it helps higher national agencies prefer specialization in other subjects, international relations helps a lot. I have heard they also like it if you are in a cj honor society. It will help you be more likely for higher positions in general police, corrections, etc work. What helps THE most is getting experience, if you are not like me and have the time take an intership, try to go as high as you can. Its very competitive but CIA has a program for students but for the program you have to go there...