F33rNoFish
Well-known member
Subscribed!
Lots of great info!!!
Thanks, MM4L :thumbsup
Lots of great info!!!
Thanks, MM4L :thumbsup
Becoming a LEO 101
- Thread starter motorman4life
- Start date
docmike99
Well-known member
Another good thing if you have the time. Put yourself through the POST program it saves the dept alot of money. If they can hire you after you graduate it saves them 20 or 30g's it has you sittin real pretty. Things may have changed since I did my POST 1988 but they were knocking on my door. Evergreen College stillhas their RCJTC not sure about Gavlin in Gilroy. Sorry its been a long time on my end.
motorman4life
Well-known member
DocMike is right, this is the route I took too. At this time, there is such a shortage of qualified applicants, I think the playing field is definately tilted in favor of the eager and qualified applicant. Back in the 80's and 90's it was different.
Most academies will allow "non-affiliate" cadets into their regular academy. I went through the "extended format" academy which was 11 months on nights and weekends. It allows you to hold down a job while getting in your courses. It is a bit more laid back, but you are not allowed many absences, so it is a major commitment. It is mostly non-affiliates and those seeking to become reserves. Anyone sponsored at the extended academy is undoubtedly a sponsored reserve.
Being a non-affiliate at the regular academy is a major nut to crack. This means you pay your own freight. You will need to have sufficent savings or income to survive and thrive for 6 months while going to school 40 hours+ per week. Plus about $3000+ for uniforms, equipment, books, tuition, ammo and a duty pistol.
We could start a whole thread on what gun to purchase. My suggestion is to get a duty-sized 9mm. You can't go wrong with a quality, used H&K, Sig-Sauer or Baretta. Glock and Ruger have their proponents, but they also have their detractors. I am a big fan of Ruger products, but I am in the minority here in CA. I don't like Glocks and I know many that feel the same way about them for many reasons. Glock is one brand people either love or hate. :troy
Anyhow, you don't want to have any of your Range Officers looking down their noses at your pistol choice, that is why I recommend H&K, Sig or Baretta. I suggest 9mm because it has low recoil and inexpensive ammo. If you are footing the bill, you want to get the most for your money. You will have better scores with a 9mm and you can shoot more for less. The last thing you want to do is show up with a .45 Desert Eagle, a FireStar, a Bersa... or anything with duct tape or electrical tape on the grip! :laughing
Many, many departments come to the academy and pick through the non-affiliates. Those that are excelling will get snatched up earlier in the course, you will see most all of them get picked up by graduation day.
Many departments are tending to lean toward more mature guys... in their late 30's and early 40's. This does not mean the younger guys don't have a chance. It all boils down to your background, integrity and life experience. Many departments will shy away from a 21-year-old that has never done anything except live at home with mom and dad and go to school the past 16 years. This is where the older guys and those with military experience get the huge edge. The departments call it "life experience" and there is no substitute for it.
If you are thinking about a career in law enforcement, whether you can go through the academy or not, now is the time to move on it, before the war ends and all of the guys come back from Iraq and Afgan. The need and supply are out of sync and you could use this to your advantage during this brief window of opportunity.
Most academies will allow "non-affiliate" cadets into their regular academy. I went through the "extended format" academy which was 11 months on nights and weekends. It allows you to hold down a job while getting in your courses. It is a bit more laid back, but you are not allowed many absences, so it is a major commitment. It is mostly non-affiliates and those seeking to become reserves. Anyone sponsored at the extended academy is undoubtedly a sponsored reserve.
Being a non-affiliate at the regular academy is a major nut to crack. This means you pay your own freight. You will need to have sufficent savings or income to survive and thrive for 6 months while going to school 40 hours+ per week. Plus about $3000+ for uniforms, equipment, books, tuition, ammo and a duty pistol.
We could start a whole thread on what gun to purchase. My suggestion is to get a duty-sized 9mm. You can't go wrong with a quality, used H&K, Sig-Sauer or Baretta. Glock and Ruger have their proponents, but they also have their detractors. I am a big fan of Ruger products, but I am in the minority here in CA. I don't like Glocks and I know many that feel the same way about them for many reasons. Glock is one brand people either love or hate. :troy
Anyhow, you don't want to have any of your Range Officers looking down their noses at your pistol choice, that is why I recommend H&K, Sig or Baretta. I suggest 9mm because it has low recoil and inexpensive ammo. If you are footing the bill, you want to get the most for your money. You will have better scores with a 9mm and you can shoot more for less. The last thing you want to do is show up with a .45 Desert Eagle, a FireStar, a Bersa... or anything with duct tape or electrical tape on the grip! :laughing
Many, many departments come to the academy and pick through the non-affiliates. Those that are excelling will get snatched up earlier in the course, you will see most all of them get picked up by graduation day.
Many departments are tending to lean toward more mature guys... in their late 30's and early 40's. This does not mean the younger guys don't have a chance. It all boils down to your background, integrity and life experience. Many departments will shy away from a 21-year-old that has never done anything except live at home with mom and dad and go to school the past 16 years. This is where the older guys and those with military experience get the huge edge. The departments call it "life experience" and there is no substitute for it.
If you are thinking about a career in law enforcement, whether you can go through the academy or not, now is the time to move on it, before the war ends and all of the guys come back from Iraq and Afgan. The need and supply are out of sync and you could use this to your advantage during this brief window of opportunity.
PorradaVFR
The Temptations of Christ
Motorman - As a proud owner of a G-19 and noting that both Customs and the FBI use the G-23 I must take exception to your blatantly anti-Glock stance. Hell yeah the H&Ks shoot great, but not all of us have $800+ for a range toy. 
Plus the G-19 was a lot more comfortable with my CCW when I lived in Miami (along with no state income tax, that's something Florida gets right).
Dang...now I want to hit the range. I need some cheap hobbies.
Plus the G-19 was a lot more comfortable with my CCW when I lived in Miami (along with no state income tax, that's something Florida gets right).
Dang...now I want to hit the range. I need some cheap hobbies.
motorman4life
Well-known member
I stand by my earlier statement.
I hate 'em, you love 'em. I guess you just proved my point.
Pick a gun for the academy. Risk taking a gun that one of your Range Officers (ROs) dislikes. Deal with the consequences. Even if you can shoot like Massad Ayoob [who is that?], you will undoubtedly be the butt of anti-Glock jokes. Assuming you don't shoot like Ayoob, you will be the butt of even more jokes. When I went to the academy, one of my ROs was a Glock Rep. & Glock Master Armorer (PhD in plastic melting) and could not have been more of an avid Glock proponent. The other (head) RO was anti-Glock, pro-S&W. I was just glad to blend in... and I had a Ruger P-85 and 1/2 my class was shooting revolvers. H&K, Sig and even Beretta are pricey, but they are well respected by about everyone. You would never hear anyone refer to them as Tupper-gun or plasti-gat.
Glock, is that Austrian for "DO NOT LEAVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT?It is easy to say, "Don't be thin skinned" and I can take ribbing as well as the next guy. But I speak from experience. When you graduate from a POST academy as a non-affiliate, you can give your sage advice. Until then... "pipe down in the peanut gallery."
My suggestion for those going to an academy is, "Blend in whenever possible. Do your level best at every opportunity* and if you get noticed, let it be for surprising everyone with excellence." This means, no flashy gear, no Glock (unless it is issued by your Dept.), no bragging, no showing off. Keep your mouth shut and prove your worth with your scores and performance, when and where it counts.
* One exception: I suggest you seriously sandbag your first PT test and gradually give more and more over the term... this will result in a better overall measured improvovement and a much higher PT score.
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PorradaVFR
The Temptations of Christ
...dude, I was kidding... I like my G-19 and that's enough for me.
I like my G-19 and that's enough for me.
motorman4life
Well-known member
Associated thread: In regard to OPD hiring concerns, SF Chron says odds of passing your LEO psych test 5% http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156917
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motorman4life
Well-known member
Another associated thread: LAPD suing 53 former officers for leaving to go to other departments..
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156965
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156965
Jig
Jiggly
Eeks, just got done with the sfpd oral. It was pretty interesting, they basically give two situations and base your rating on how well you interpret your course of action. What was challenging was the fact that you were only given two decisions, arrest or no further investigation.
I thought the scenarios could have been better chosen or written, because it was difficult to pull out reasons why one would chose to arrest or not. Aside from that, all the previous steps of the sfpd process do not factor in on candidate rankings; rankings are based solely upon the oral. It sucks because I scored pretty high on the written portion.
Now I'm on to the background packet! Thanks again for the advice mm4l, I won't forget the rounds on me. =)
I thought the scenarios could have been better chosen or written, because it was difficult to pull out reasons why one would chose to arrest or not. Aside from that, all the previous steps of the sfpd process do not factor in on candidate rankings; rankings are based solely upon the oral. It sucks because I scored pretty high on the written portion.
Now I'm on to the background packet! Thanks again for the advice mm4l, I won't forget the rounds on me. =)
F33rNoFish
Well-known member
oral, huh? hopefully that's true for the santa cruz sheriff's dept.
i just did the written yesterday, but i kind of screwed up and left some blank thinking i had more time and i could go back to them. they had this string of paragraphs where you have to think of words that best fit in the sentence and have the correct number of characters...that took me a while.
anyhow, hoping for the best. having lunch out there at the dolphin on the wharf just makes it that much more desirable to work in that area! oh, each time i've been there, there are some xxxtremely hot gals working there! :blush
i just did the written yesterday, but i kind of screwed up and left some blank thinking i had more time and i could go back to them. they had this string of paragraphs where you have to think of words that best fit in the sentence and have the correct number of characters...that took me a while.
anyhow, hoping for the best. having lunch out there at the dolphin on the wharf just makes it that much more desirable to work in that area! oh, each time i've been there, there are some xxxtremely hot gals working there! :blush
silversvs
Lean, Twist, repeat.....
Background seminar? Is this where they have tons of applicants invited in to tell them how to prepare to become a cop? If so business casual because they likely will not be tracking who you are.
If it is an interview with a background investigator and you are the person getting ready to be backgrounded, you better be in a suit and tie.
If it is an interview with a background investigator and you are the person getting ready to be backgrounded, you better be in a suit and tie.
Jig, If it is for any decent size group, there is no need to go in a full suit and tie. Business casual will suffice, but to each his own. I know when I went to my background seminar for SJ there were around 150 of us in a huge room, and no one was looked at twice! When it comes to the Oral Boards and Background meeting a full suit is a must.
Just my .02
Just my .02
F33rNoFish
Well-known member
ouch! that's harsh. thanks for your appreciation...
LilDusty said:
Duc996Girl
Well-known member
Hey guys! So it looks like I'm coming back Stateside and going to continue with the hiring process.
Actually I've decided to put myself thru the San Mateo academy this coming March. Everyone tells me I'm crazy since all the depts are hiring at such a high rate, but I want to make sure it's something I want to do, and financially, it's not taxing for me. Also, I've been told that this gives me a wider range of options as a lot of recruiters will pick up people mid-academy. Is this true as well? Thanks guys!
Annabelle
Actually I've decided to put myself thru the San Mateo academy this coming March. Everyone tells me I'm crazy since all the depts are hiring at such a high rate, but I want to make sure it's something I want to do, and financially, it's not taxing for me. Also, I've been told that this gives me a wider range of options as a lot of recruiters will pick up people mid-academy. Is this true as well? Thanks guys!
Annabelle
ShowerBabies
Well-known member
Before you put yourself through, make sure your background is good.
I've been testing for over a year now, and I was recently dropped in the background. I was thinking of putting myself through too, but I needa figure out what they DQ'd me first.
Does anyone have tips for me? I have a good/ decent financial and driving record, some MaryJ +1.5yrs ago, and four honorable years in the service. I'm also well-mannered, what gives?
I've been testing for over a year now, and I was recently dropped in the background. I was thinking of putting myself through too, but I needa figure out what they DQ'd me first.
Does anyone have tips for me? I have a good/ decent financial and driving record, some MaryJ +1.5yrs ago, and four honorable years in the service. I'm also well-mannered, what gives?
JPM
Well-known member
duc996girl said:
I would put in for entry level when you get back, but keep in mind you have to have something to stand out amongst the crowd (Speak another language, degree, ect) but there are a lot of agencies hiring. If you put yourself through, keep applying and give them your progress. A lot of departments will pick you up through the academy and not only finish paying for what’s left might also pay for the whole thing.