Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I will be starting the BCC Police academy next month and was wondering if anyone could tell me about it. What's it like? How is the PT and in class training? As far as PT, how long do you have to run on average; I would like to start to prepare if possible. What's a days schedule like? Is PT in the morning and can you shower before going to the classroom? What are the tests like? Difficult? What about the instructors?

I know, it's a lot of questions so any information you have will be great. Thanks.

I don't know anything in particular about Broward's academy, however you need to start to prepare now for PT--no matter what it is. If you aren't already in good shape, a month isn't that long to get where you will need to be. You can't ever be in too good of shape for the academy.

As to the tests, they come from the same standardized test bank that every other academy in Florida uses. They are multiple choice tests and some of the questions can be a bit unclear at times, however if you study and learn the material then you won't have a problem.

The Academy is about 22 weeks. Students attend the Academy from Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students take classes in interpersonal skills, human diversity, criminal law report writing, patrol techniques, interview techniques, defensive tactics, firearms, first aid and other topics. A new Academy class starts approximately every two to three months.

I have not attended the academy but what I have read from others that have, the running depends on your particular instructor. Some run a lot (don't have a mileage amount for you sorry), some not so much. It is my belief that you can run on the average of 3-5 miles, but for how many days in the week I don't know.

You might want to Google additional LEO forums and search as many sites as possible. I won't promote another LEO forum but there are several out there that might have answers you are looking for. I use all the forums I can to glean info on LEO topic matters of interest to me.

Just a thought.

The new class that just started at BCC is on the new curiculum. My class is using the old one.

As far as the running goes FDLE just re-did the curiculum, there is now 60 hours of mandatory physical training.

From talking to the new recruits the run an average of a mile and a half, but you should be running more than that before you start the academy. PT is usually at the end of the day so you just go straight home. If you have DT in the morning you get to shower before going back to class.

As far as the tests go I know that a few of the new guys have been complaining that they are pretty hard and that some of the material contradicts its self, or that there are more than one right answer to the questions, but I don't know for sure since I'm on the old stuff.

Instructors are pretty cool, there's one that you will hate at first but he's probably the best one there. I won't ruin the surprise!

Shoot me a pm if you want to talk some more.

How many cadets are typically in a class?

Any cadets over 30 or 40 yrs of age in there?

It's usually 30 or less to a class. Sometimes they will split the class in half when there's more than that. The new class was split in half because they had like fifty something people starting.

The oldest recruit in the academy right now is in his late fifties. There are plenty of people in their fourties and thirties, however most are in their twenties.

Thanks.

A few last questions.... Do you do a lot of pull ups in PT? If so, what is the min. etc..? Running? I know FDLE modified the PT requirements in addition to the curriculum.

congrats. Am applying to BSO also. can you give me some advise on the test you had to take. thanks and once again congrats. good luck

I'm also planning on applying to BSO.. I just have to get past their swim test!:eek:

It's only fifty yards. If you're in shape it shouldn't be difficult.
When I became a dive master I had to swim 400 yards, so 50 should be a breeze even wearing clothes.

It's not so much the fitness part.. It's the actual swim! i need to practice on my swimming