Becoming a LEO 101

[JPM]

some MaryJ +1.5yrs ago,

I would say this is it, a little too soon after last use. Check the department’s drug use policy that you applied for but I know my department would not even look at you.

 

[Duc996Girl]

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.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. I have almost a year of overseas experience. I speak Vietnamese and Trieu Chau (Chinese dialect) fluently. I have my BS degree from SJSU in Business Management. Hate to play the female minority card, but hey..it works. Jobs in hospitality industry so good interpersonal skills. Done research on the depts I would like to work for and brushed up on info...

Hopefully this goes well...*crosses fingers*

 

[ShowerBabies]

I would say this is it, a little too soon after last use. Check the department’s drug use policy that you applied for but I know my department would not even look at you.

Could you give me an idea which agency is this, so I don't waste my time?

 

[silversvs]

Could you give me an idea which agency is this, so I don't waste my time?

If ya enjoyed a little weed in the last two years I would imagine that you will be hard pressed to find an agency willing to take you with open arms. You would have to have a lot of desireable qualities to outweigh your recent drug use.

We have all been telling you guys that every agency is hiring because they are all shorthanded. Some agencies are getting deperate for good candidates. But none are going to drop their standards in order to fill positions.

My advice to you is to make an appointment with the recruiter or better yet the background investigator at any agency you are interested in. Tell them how long its been since you inhaled and find out what their policy is. You will save yourself and them a lot of time and effort.

 

[ShowerBabies]

If ya enjoyed a little weed in the last two years I would imagine that you will be hard pressed to find an agency willing to take you with open arms. You would have to have a lot of desireable qualities to outweigh your recent drug use.

My advice to you is to make an appointment with the recruiter or better yet the background investigator at any agency you are interested in. Tell them how long its been since you inhaled and find out what their policy is. You will save yourself and them a lot of time and effort.

Sounds like a plan.

And about the weed, it was only for experimentation

 

[mk4ce]

I'm very interested in going into Law Enforcement (most likely the CHP or SFPD), and i plan to apply to both when I turn 20. Now that I have read more about becoming an LEO, i most likely will apply to Daly City, Burlingame, San Bruno, South San Francisco, Milbrae, San Mateo, San Jose, San Carlos, Redwood City, and maybe more deparmtments if it's a good idea.

I read that Police Departments aren't looking for people who are really young. And that they need more "life experiences". I know my chances are slim at becoming a LEO at a young age, but I am determined, and will NOT give up until I am apart of a department.

Just reading about how difficult it is to become an officer makes me want to try even harder to become one.

What things should i do NOW to get myself ready for applying?

any advice would be appreciated

 

[dvsdesigner]

So how does one become a motorcycle LEO??

I've always wondered what qualifications and experience most MC cops have.

Are they usually normal patrolmen (who happen to have a lot of motorycle riding experience) for several years before they move up to MC status?

Sorry if this has been answered... I am waaayyy too lazy to read all of the responses so far. :blush :laughing

 

[NVR FNSH]

So how does one become a motorcycle LEO??

I've always wondered what qualifications and experience most MC cops have.

Are they usually normal patrolmen (who happen to have a lot of motorycle riding experience) for several years before they move up to MC status?

Sorry if this has been answered... I am waaayyy too lazy to read all of the responses so far. :blush :laughing

My neighbor is currently a Motor Officer. He spent ~3-4 years as a regular patrol officer and then put in for motors when positions became available.

He rides and his personal bike is an '00 Buell X1 - although I've ridden it more than he has. He really didn't have much riding experience before becoming a Motor Officer.

Brian

 

[mk4ce]

So how does one become a motorcycle LEO??

I've always wondered what qualifications and experience most MC cops have.

Are they usually normal patrolmen (who happen to have a lot of motorycle riding experience) for several years before they move up to MC status?

Sorry if this has been answered... I am waaayyy too lazy to read all of the responses so far. :blush :laughing

I talked to an SFPD officer, and he said that waiting list for being a motorcycle cop is 20 years long right now. And that is for both the Harleys AND Kawasakis (enduro motos)

 

[motorman4life]

I talked to an SFPD officer, and he said that waiting list for being a motorcycle cop is 20 years long right now. And that is for both the Harleys AND Kawasakis (enduro motos)

This used to be true. SFPD instituted an S-2 program a little over a year ago. S-2's are selected from district stations and work out of those stations instead of 850 Bryant (where the Solo Platoon is located). The S-2's ride the Kawasaki KZ-1000-P's and are on a an assignment rotation. I believe it is a 5 year rotation.

S-1's generally ride the Harley Road Kings and they are assigned indefinately. The waiting list is about 16 years right now.

The "Hondas" (as they are called) are the off-road guys and I think most of them are riding street-legal Suzuki and Yamaha dirtbikes... no Hionda's anymore. They primarily patrol Golden Gate Park. Their waiting list is 12-15 years and I believe their assignment is also indefinate.

I don't work for SFPD, but I know many of their Solos and I have trained with them in the past. If anyone has any corrections, please feel free to update my information.

 

[mk4ce]

This used to be true. SFPD instituted an S-2 program a little over a year ago. S-2's are selected from district stations and work out of those stations instead of 850 Bryant (where the Solo Platoon is located). The S-2's ride the Kawasaki KZ-1000-P's and are on a an assignment rotation. I believe it is a 5 year rotation.

S-1's generally ride the Harley Road Kings and they are assigned indefinately. The waiting list is about 16 years right now.

The "Hondas" (as they are called) are the off-road guys and I think most of them are riding street-legal Suzuki and Yamaha dirtbikes... no Hionda's anymore. They primarily patrol Golden Gate Park. Their waiting list is 12-15 years and I believe their assignment is also indefinate.

I don't work for SFPD, but I know many of their Solos and I have trained with them in the past. If anyone has any corrections, please feel free to update my information.

As for the CHP Motos, there is only a 3 month waiting period. The three months is the time you are on probabation when you first start as a CHP. Then once the 3 months are up, you can apply to become a CHP moto officer. The CHP officer I talked to tonight (from the Informational Seminar, not from being pulled over by one) said that there is a 60% fail rate when trying to be a moto officer. I plan to be the 40% that do make it.

 

[Dean129]

I know there was talk of it, but is San Francisco taking laterals and academy graduates yet like Oakland just started doing?

 

[CA Cop]

SFPD questions

Moderated by real SFPD members. With law enforcement members from the entire San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

I don't visit this site much, but if you have any questions related to law enforcement in the SF Bay Area or CA laws, visit us at:

http://sfbayareacops.proboards62.com

 

[mk4ce]

Can someone explain the POST test to me and what it is?

I know its an exam, but what kinds of testing does it include? And why is it important? I heard you should take it before applying to a LEO department/academy.

 

[mk4ce]

Re: SFPD questions

Moderated by real SFPD members. With law enforcement members from the entire San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

I don't visit this site much, but if you have any questions related to law enforcement in the SF Bay Area or CA laws, visit us at:

http://sfbayareacops.proboards62.com

I've been on that for a while. It's cool an all, but it's rarely updated and rarely used by it's officers. BUT, it's great reading some of the things the SFPD have to say and some of their stories.

 

[ss3058]

Redwood City PD has 6 openings and the hiring process only takes 4 to 5 weeks from the time you pass your final Chiefs interview. Starting pay 85k to 100k a yr w/ some overtime...

 

[Dean129]

Redwood City PD has 6 openings and the hiring process only takes 4 to 5 weeks from the time you pass your final Chiefs interview. Starting pay 85k to 100k a yr w/ some overtime...

:wow Thats fast!

I was able to speak with a few recruiters today, one from Antioch who seemed interested, and another from Vacaville PD. I know someone who worked for Vacaville up until a year ago when he left for Sac PD, but I know nothing about Antioch. Does anyone know anything about that department?

 

[mk4ce]

Redwood City PD has 6 openings and the hiring process only takes 4 to 5 weeks from the time you pass your final Chiefs interview. Starting pay 85k to 100k a yr w/ some overtime...

why is the starting pay more than SFPD's starting salary?

And why is the hiring process so short?

 

[Jay Reyn]

Dean Antioch just got a new chief so it has yet to be determined how that will shake out. Some love him and some dont. Look into Brentwood I know theyre hiring also.

 

[motorman4life]

Redwood City PD has 6 openings and the hiring process only takes 4 to 5 weeks from the time you pass your final Chiefs interview. Starting pay 85k to 100k a yr w/ some overtime...

That is a bit misleading.
In order to get TO the final Chief's interview, you have to go through many, many hoops. Physical agility, written exam, oral interview, backgrund packet, background interview(s)... then if you pass all of that, you have a 4 to 5 hour written psych test, a battery of medical tests (up to 6 different medical appointments), a 1 hour polygraph test, a 1 hour psych interview with a psychiatrist... then (and only then) will you get your "final Chief's interview." Once that is completed, you could start the very next day. Why RWC PD would hold you up at least a month after that interview, I do not know.

Plan on 4 to 8 months for the process. Some have done it in 2 months and some take a full year. Both extremes are very rare. It depends upon how motivated the departement is to get you in, what their manpower is at, the ratio of investigators to applicants and your availability for the various tests.

I can tell you this, 20 years ago; about 1% of applicants made the cut (getting 3 recruits out of 300 applications was the norm). About 90% of those passed the police academy and 95% of those passed the FTO program. Back then, it was unheard of to see an officer cut while on probation. At leat 90% would be vested in 5 years and more than 50% would do 20+ years on the job, baring a disabling injury.

Now, about 5 to 10% make the cut and get into a uniform. About 70% of those pass the academy and roughly 80% of those pass the FTO program. Then about 10% of those are cut before they clear probation. If those, only about 60% of them stay on the job for the 5 years required to become vested in the retirement system.

It is a major shift in dynamics and it will be interesting to see how it changes the profession over time. Part of the reason for the lack of longtivity is the increase in recruiting of females over the past couple of decades. It is very common to see a new female officer out on maternity leave before she gets off probation and more times than not, she does not return to work, opting to raise her kids. Which is fine. But, a lot of training funds and time are invested in each recruit and the agency does not start to break even until the 5th year. That is why the retirement vests at 5 years.