Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am a former Connecticut police officer with 14 years experience. I recently learned the CJ Training Commission will not recognize the last 4 years of my employment toward EOT exemption so in order for me to volunteer for a Reserve Unit, I need to attend the basic recruit academy. As many of you know, it is extremely hard to find a basic academy that can accommodate a working professional.

I spoke to the Manatee Technical Institute Academy last week and they agreed to set up a basic recruit academy based upon the unique needs of a group, if I can find 15 academy attendees. I'm hoping this forum can help me spread the word to see if I can assemble a list of 15 or more basic recruit attendees who want to attend a modified schedule program.

My thought was to see if a weekend academy (Saturdays and maybe some or all Sundays from 8am-4pm or 8am-6pm) for 10 months would be attractive. To do this, we would need to commit also to 2 - 1 week intensive training periods (one each semester in different calendar years) to get the 770 hour in. I figure just about every working professional could sacrifice one week of vacation per year. These are a number of flexible schedules possible, but I need to find the interest first. I only know that Monday - Friday days or evenings can't work for me given my work schedule.

Also, please note that this training academy is moving into a brand new state of the art facility in East Manatee County in August. This would be one of the first academies to enjoy the brand new facility. I am hoping that if we do longer, but fewer days per week, we may even be able to attract people from the East Coast and North Florida because of the attractive class schedule.

Love to hear your thoughts on this approach. Please reply with any thoughts, suggests, or if you're interested. I'd also like to know if you know of any way I can get the word out to more organizations and agencies to get the list going.

Lastly, remember that attendees would still need to take all the tests to enter the academy (just like everywhere else.) Polygraph, physical assessment, CJ-BAT, etc. I'm 40 and haven't run in 15 years, but am confident having looked at the standards that for most of us - we can do it. Also, this opportunity is not limited to any particular group of people. Certainly, if you know of anyone who would rather do the academy on a non-traditional schedule - pass their names and contact information along. If we get to 15, I'll get with the academy and get the ball rolling. If not, I'm back to square one.

Hopefully, I hear from you soon!

How did you find out that you aren't eligible for EOT? Florida's EOT requirements are pretty lax (military police are qualified), so I just want to make sure that you were given the right information. Also, if you want to be a reserve officer you don't need to go through the full academy. The reserve academy is abbreviated.

My last 4 years of 14 was at 30+ hours per week in patrol. Not a "full time employee." Took this all the way to the Assistant Attorney General at FDLE and they denied my EOT because of the 40 hour per week full time required for crediting experience. I have an 8 year 11 month break in "full time employment." This academy is for full certification. Can't do much over here with an auxiliary certificate. Most reserves over here have to be fully certified.

I am really interested in a weekend academy. please keep me informed and I will also pass the word to help recruit the 15 required people. August would be perfect for me.

Please contact me off-line at bob.weronik@gmail.com. There has been good progress made on the weekend academy concept. I talked with an academy rep today and this is very doable. We won't make it for August since the cut off date for this August for everything completed is June 6th. Not enough time. Maybe if we can generate the required number (15) we can do October start. I need your contact information for the roster of those interested. Thanks.

Bob

I must admit that schedule is pretty attractive, especially to those in Florida who can't take time off from work to put themselves through the standard full-time academy.

Florida's EOT is pretty laxed, I must admit. I'm a former Army Reserve MP and when I spoke with FDLE, I met all the requirements for the EOT.

That's why I don't understand your 40 hour/week dilemma. Reservists only drill 24 days per year plus 2/3 weeks of mandatory AT, but I could have gotten EOT from the full-time academy?

I'll have to look into that... :confused:

Steve,

I took my case all the way to the Assistant Attorney General of FDLE. They said they do not recognize law enforcement experience below the 40 hour per week full time threshold when considering the 8 year break. Sicken me. However, since posting here and a few other places. I have found 5 others that are in the same boat. It'll be great if we can roster a basic recruit class with all "40ish" former cops that have to do the academy even though we have plenty of experience. Would make the environment fun. The hardest part is reaching the right audience. FDLE won't help. The communicty colleges aren't inclined to help me fill a non-traditional class because this academy would be added gravy for them. So far, the PDs haven't been that helpful because their Reserve Coordinators are usually full time paid folks and don't understand how hard it is for working professionals to find a basic academy that works for their schedules. So, I'm left to word of mouth and forums. However, I do have 3 on the list and 2 more to talk to -- so we're getting there.

Thanks for the backup!

And yes, FDLE seems more flexible with Federal agents and military folks. No issues, but that seems to be the consensus.