Becoming a LEO 101

motorman4life

Well-known member
This was sent to me via PM and I figured I'd post it here for those that are interested. If there are any other LEOs out there that would like to chime in with information, corrections or advice, please do so in this thread. ~MM4L

undisclosed wrote on 02-20-2006:
Hi,
I've noticed that you post regularly in the LEO forum. When I graduate, I plan on becoming an officer, but am confused as to the process of doing so. What is the first thing I have to do? Interview? I've read that there's a test I have to take and then there's a physical test, but then where does the academy come into this situation? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
The best thing to do is contact an agency in your area that you would be interested in joining and ask to speak with a recruiter or background investigator. They can advise as to the requirements they are seeking in applicants. Once you are confident you meet their bar, you would complete an application and request a ride-a-long (if possible) with a patrol officer and do some research on their jurisdiction and agency. Many departments offer ride-a-longs for their citizens (reisdents), many do not. Most of those that do not, will allow (or encourage) a ride-a-long for an applicant to their agency.

It is also a good idea to try to get ride-a-longs with adjacent agencies to get a better picture of things. Sometimes people in a nearby agency will be more frank with you about the problems they see with their neighboring agency.

Unless you are a lateral or pre-trained (completed the POST academy), most departments will require a physical agility and written test, which are usually done at a regional center and hosted on a regular basis. Satisfactory completion will garner you a certificate that would be attached to your application with your resume, diploma, college transcripts and a recent copy of your driving record. They may not require all of these things up-front, but having them all together with your application cannot hurt. It shows you are thorough and prepared.

At the interview, you can use the information you gained on the ride-a-long and through your research to show the interview panel how much you have done to prepare and how you are sure your selection would be mutually beneficial.

If you are hired as a trainee, you will be sponsored through a 5-6 month POST police academy. After you graduate, you will start a 4 to 6 month FTO (field training officer) period where you will work with several senior training officers on a variety of shifts, being trained, tested, observed and evaluated daily.

Once you are successfully released from FTO, you will have a remaining 12 to 14 months of probation. On FTO, your work schedule will mirror the FTO you are assigned to, so in all likelihood, you will have weekends off, etc… Once you are released, you will likely go to the most undesirable days and shifts until you earn the seniority to choose something more appealing.

Each department is a little different in the way they do things. Most here in CA will stick to this regime, good or bad, that's pretty much the way it is.


Added advice, for those young people considering a career in law enforcement:
For all of the stereotypes and images seen in movies and TV shows, I have to tell you, by and large, you will find 99% of the cops that you meet are totally down to earth, fun-loving people that would give you the shirts off their backs. Yeah, some are jaded or "salty" and some are hand-jobs and slackers, but they are really good people, out there bustin' their asses to try to make a difference in their communities.

If you get into law enforcement, you will see for yourself. Don't be put off by those you may meet in the interim that only show a rough exterior. In many cases, you will discover it is merely a defense mechanism.. and maybe someday you'll even understand it.

True enough, law enforcement has changed a lot over the years, some for the better, some for the worse. One thing hasn't changed though. If you excel, you will be recognized. No doubt education is highly stressed, now more than ever. Coming in with a BA or BS (in anything and from any credentialed school) would really boost your earning potential and increase opportunities for specialty assignments.

I suggest a BS in computer science as I really feel high-tech is the new frontier for crime and those with the credentials in the tech field will be in a prime position when those investigative and enforcement opportunities avail themselves in your career. If college is not for you, consider military service. If the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines don't appeal to you, check out the Coast Guard. If that won't work for you, look into the Peace Corps and Habitat for Humanity.

Other than an AA or BS/BA degree and/or the military and non-military services.. Stay out of trouble. Don't fuck up your driving/criminal/credit records.
Get out on your own. Too many 21 to 25 year old applcants live w/ Mommy and are seen as "not having enough life experience." College and military will help, but only if you are away from home.
Work on your fitness. Run, workout. Ensure you can pass the POST physical agility test. At a minimum, you must be able to jump/climb a 6-foot fence in under 30-seconds without assistance, do 30 sit-ups in 1 minute, run 2 miles in under 20 minutes, bench press 65% of your body weight and do a 300 meter sprint in 70 seconds.
Learn Spanish.. seriously, learn Spanish.


Best of luck.
 
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silversvs

Lean, Twist, repeat.....
Now is the time if you want to be a police officer. If you have a clean background, common sense, and a desire to be a good worker at a great job, you can pretty much take your pick of any California agency. Every agency I know is operating short. 3% @ 50 retirement benefits are draining most agencies of their senior officers. The prior few years of budget crunches has restricted hiring. The budgets are opening up now and everyone is hiring or will be shortly.

The policticians are looking at scaling back retirement benefits in the near future. It will likely become a two tiered system with those hired before a certain date enjoying the current benefits we fought so hard for. Those hired after the cut off date will get a lower retirement plan. This may be some incentive to get on board now.

Entry level testing should be occuring in numerous jurisdictions. Where once an agency only took laterals or academy grads, they are realizing now that if they don't go after entry level candidates, there is too much competition for the grads and laterals now.

Apply where you want to work plus a few agencies where you wouldn't mind working. Getting a job as a police officer has never been so easy.
 
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Eisernkreuz

unteroffizier
silversvs said:
Now is the time if you want to be a police officer. If you have a clean background, common sense, and a desire to be a good worker at a great job, you can pretty much take your pick of any California agency. Every agency I know is operating short. 3% @ 50 retirement benefits are draining most agencies of their senior officers. The prior few years of budget crunches has restricted hiring. The budgets are opening up now and everyone is hiring or will be shortly.

The policticians are looking at scaling back retirement benefits in the near future. It will likely become a two tiered system with those hired before a certain date enjoying the current benefits we fought so hard for. Those hired after the cut off date will get a lower retirement plan. This may be some incentive to get on board now.

Entry level testing should be occuring in numerous jurisdictions. Where once an agency only took laterals or academy grads, they are realizing now that if they don't go after entry level candidates, there is too much competition for the grads and laterals now.

Apply where you want to work plus a few agencies where you wouldn't mind working. Getting a job as a police officer has never been so easy.

does the same hold for reserve officers? :teeth
 

cantonkiddo

Well-known member
Applying now....how long is this crazy hiring going to be? I don't graduate for another year (Spring of 07). And when is the best time to apply? A quarter before I graduate or earlier or even when I first get out?
 

Eisernkreuz

unteroffizier
cantonkiddo said:
Applying now....how long is this crazy hiring going to be? I don't graduate for another year (Spring of 07). And when is the best time to apply? A quarter before I graduate or earlier or even when I first get out?

There's this rule...guys with F4is can't be cops, only nurses :twofinger
 

silversvs

Lean, Twist, repeat.....
cantonkiddo said:
Applying now....how long is this crazy hiring going to be? I don't graduate for another year (Spring of 07). And when is the best time to apply? A quarter before I graduate or earlier or even when I first get out?

Since it can take some departments up to a year to get you through the process start to finish, you should start looking around now. I always recommend you call the personnel department of every agency you want to work for. Talk to them about what they forecast for job openings and testing dates. At minimum fill out an interest card. Its like a post card and when they are opening up testing they will mail it to you to let you know that they are testing. That way you do not have to keep checking back.
 

silversvs

Lean, Twist, repeat.....
Webberstyle said:
does the same hold for reserve officers? :teeth

Reserves work for free. Most agencies will take applications for reserves at any time. The problem is there are only so many hours available for the background guys to work. If they are busy doing officer backgrounds, there is no time to do the reserves.
 

ShowerBabies

Well-known member
For Oakland, the hiring process takes 6 months, then off you go into the academy.

OPDs order of testing is ...
-writing test
-oral
-physical
-medical/ background
 

jb

Ignorant Squid
This is really good info.

I've been contemplating taking the POST exam and occasionally thinking about changing over to become a LEO.

Thanks.
 

zx7biker

Well-known member
Heard SJPD and SCPD are looking to put a full academy class of around 30 through.

Check it out!!

ZX.........
 

Jig

Jiggly
At SJPD's pretestin seminar, the recruiters were actually saying the next January class is increased to 50 potentials. That is if they find 50 qualified folks.
 

1oldfzr

Member
That is true about SJPD. I am in the background stage for July academy, and they are looking to fill a potential of 52 spots, that is if they can get 52 qualified applicatnts!
 

motorman4life

Well-known member
FYI, there are many, many good departments seeking new officers and laterals right now. If you have a clean background and have not used illegal drugs in at least a few years, have decent credit and no DV history or felony priors, you have a great shot at getting a goo paying cop job right now. Most agencies have 3% at 50. This means if you start at 25 and work for 25 years, you can retire at 50 and collect a 75% pension.

There are literally thousands of new-hire opportunities in the SF Bay Area. All of the major cities, CHP and most smaller cities will be hiring equal to 10 to 20% of their current staff due to manpower shortages and retirements resulting from the 3% @ 50 program. I know Burlingame is down 12 officers, SF will be hiring 300-500 in the next 3 years, Oakland and San Jose need 50+ new cops immediately.

I honestly don't know any jurisdiction that is not hiring right now. Your best approach is to get togehter a solid resume, take the regional POST written and physical agility tests given in your area and apply to as many departments as possible. Do as many interviews as you can and get the ball rolling. Don't put it off.

Realize, the hiring process takes 2-8 months from the time you complete a successful oral interview and you will have to take a polygraph, medical and written/oral psych exam after your clear your background.

Here are some awesome resources for those that are interested. Yes, these are geared toward Las Vegas PD, but the information is pretty universal and would be invaluable to any potential police/deputy applicant anywhere. I suggest anyone serious about testing to be a cop review this material in advance, so you can prepare accordingly.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39374
This is a person's outline of the Vegas Metro hiring process; pretty standard, and a lot of people can use that as a guideline for most any good department.

Fixed! http://www.lvmpd.com/pdf/employment/POPreTestBookletrevised1-06.pdf
is a pretty comprehensive booklet by Vegas Metro, again, which covers a lot in the process, too. Is pretty specific and even gives you a good idea about what to expect on the oral.

If anyone has information on where to get details/dates and requirements for the regional qualification exams, please post it here.
 
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Jig

Jiggly
Thanks mm4l.

I have a question regarding the oral portion of the process. At the end of the month, I'll be interviewing for a SFPD position, but I'm unsure of how to fully prepare for it. I'm already aware of the scenario questions they'll ask, as well as preparing a verbal resume when they ask, "Is there anything else you'd like to add."

I'm prepared for all the questions that will be asked, I'm just curious what other knowledge I should have before getting interviewed. A few officers have told me to research all the community programs the city offers in addition to making officer contacts. Is it important to have current event knowledge?

Also, what are some don't do's during an interview? Are there any topics I should avoid bringing up?

Thanks in advance for the info.
 

motorman4life

Well-known member
It sounds like you have a good handle on things. The more research you have done, the better. But, all the research in the world is no good, if you don't let the interviewers know you have done it. You just need to find a way to weave it into your responses. If they ask you what you have done to prepare yourself for the interview, that is a huge opening, but don't bore them. Get your best points in and let them move on.

The next question will be something like: "Why do you want to be a San Francisco Police Officer?" That will be a chance to talk about the wide variety of assignments, divisions, opportunities, communities, diversity, and a bunch of other things you will get in your research. So, don't blow your whole wad in the first question.

In your answers, you want to convey that you are:
1) Easy to get along with.
2) Trustworthy and reliable.
3) Flexible and resilient.
4) Intelligent, but not a smart-ass.
5) Want to make a difference, but aren’t out to save the world.

Mentioning any volunteer work, charity work, team sports and military or para-military organizations you have been affiliated with might help out.

Ensure you speak to everyone there and not just one person at a time. Spread your gaze around as you reply and watch for signals, nods, etc.. many times, once you have hit the catch phrase they are looking for, they are going to want you to wrap up that answer, so they can move on. In many cases, you should keep answering and hitting key phrases until you see the nod from one of them, then wrap it up quickly. Start and end your answer with the person that asked the question, but speak directly to each of them as you answer.

Name dropping is one of the best things you can do. "I met so-and-so." "I spoke with Officer So-and-so." "I am friends with So-and-so." If they recognize the name, you get lots of love, if it is a friend or past partner of theirs, it is a bigger bonus. You really can't lose getting lots of current contacts and information and mentioning them in the interview.

Obviously, get a haircut, shave and wear a nice suit with a conservative bent. New shoes or like-new shoes make a good impression. Get there early and rehearse some answers in the mirror in the restroom. It will help you focus and be sure to arrive and check in at least 5 minutes early. If they are ahead of schedule, it will be good for you. If they are behind, no big deal, you wait an extra 5.

Good firm handshakes all around. Look them in the eyes and repeat their names... "This is Captain Joe Amatiago." "Nice to meet you Captain Amatiago." ...and "Sergeant Bob Blake." "Nice to meet you Sergeant Blake." You get the idea. If they list them all off at once and you can go through and do it right, bonus for you. If you just get ranks, that's okay too. Speak in a clear, self-assured voice and always look them in the eyes. Watch what you do with your hands and avoid "ummm"s and "errrr"s if at all possible. Rehearsing your responses at home in a mirror really helps.

Avoid bringing up any issues you might be concerned about for your background. You don't want to give any indication you will not breeze through the background. They will likely ask you a question like, "What is your greatest weakness?" or "If you could improve one thing about yourself, what would it be?" or "What is the greatest failure in your life?" These are really tough questions and you should prepare for all of them so you don't get caught with your pants down if one is asked.

I always recommend you try to find something that can also be seen as positive. This can be tough. Whatever weakness or problem you mention, you may also want to ensure you give yourself a chance to mention what you are doing to improve or correct it.

Another common interview question is, "What is the most stressful experience you have ever faced/encountered. How did you deal with it and how did that experience change you as a person?"

As tough as these questions may seem now, they are much tougher when you are not prepared for them. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

Good luck! When you pass, PM me and we'll go out for a beer. You're buying! :port
 
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