Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

First I thought I would say a little about myself.

I am 20 years old and live in Southern California (Orange County) and have been wanting to be a police officer since I can remember. I have graduated High School with a Diploma. While in High School I played little sports and focused on my studies, played a little basketball and such with friends but other than that nothing big. I have been working with computers and been a computer gamer for the last 3 years or so making little money off what games i played.

For the past 4-5 years I have been studying just random material about becoming a police officer, testing processes, some videos of cadets at the academy, etc. I have talked with a number of police officers on the street and had 2 sit down discussions with 2 lieutenants to discuss what would need to be done and what would be a good way/idea to start my career as a police officer.

They both told me to enroll in college and enroll as a cadet at the department I wanted to start my career at. By doing so my chances of getting a job as a LE officer would be higher than others since my knowledge of that department would be greater since I was a cadet working there.

After a little while I found myself talking to a California Highway Patrol officer (not a traffic stop) and after that logged online and had an application sent to my residence.

So to now... after reading over the application and hand book that was sent I have decided I would like to start my career as a CHP officer. I will be enrolling at Fullerton Community College real soon.

While and before I start school I would like to start training to get ready for the academy. In the booklet they sent it said it is a lot like a military academy so I really want to prepare myself for it. Like I said above I'm a computer gamer so my body isn't really physically fit for the academy. I consider my self to be in good shape and am very healthy.

I'm here to ask for advice from officers who have gone through the academy on what I should be working on before I join up. What is a good routine to put yourself on, some exercises that would be a good warm up. My goal is to go into the academy and not have to worry about the PT so I can focus on the class studies and what not.

Sorry for the wall of text.

-Dustin
Anaheim, CA

First off, I would search through the PT sections of the forums here, as you will find a lot of useful information.

As far as preparing for the academy physically, make sure you are running A LOT. If you don't normally run, I would start running (outside) short distances and work your way up. Make sure you are timing yourself and get faster everytime. You also want to focus on a whole body workout. Make sure you can do a lot of push-ups and sit-ups. I could go on for a long while, but that's a start. Like I said, do some forum searching on PT. Good luck.

General Calisthenics and running will get you in great shape. Pushups, pull ups, squat thrusts, mountain climbers, and lots of gut work. You don't need a gym membership or expensive equipment.

I would try to get to where I could make a 4 mile run. Switchback will probably be able to tell you about where you need to get your body mass index.

However, even if you get in Rocky 3 and 4 shape, they WILL challenge and push you. Do not underestimate that.

Good luck and never give up.

Ditto on what the others said. Lots of running, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups.

Thanks for the advice, Ill be sure to look around the forums a bit more.

Also, what would you say is the hardest part (for you) about the academy?

Wow, you beat me to asking those questions. :) I do some push-ups, a bit of running, and am getting into shape after a few years of being out of it. So it was great to find out what I need to focus on (PT). Not to hijack the thread, but is college a requirement to become a LEO?

Find out the exact physical agility requirements to be hired and what is required of you to graduate. Then get busy. Less gaming and more running is the key.

Dont try to be a superTriathalete , just be in allaround good condition before the start of the academy.

Thanks for all your advice, im doing research right now to find out what standards I need to meet and will start training around that.


Not to hijack the thread, but is college a requirement to become a LEO?

I know for my area only a High School Diploma is required to be considered a LEO. Your chances of getting hired at a department will be much higher than others if you have a degree (obviously)

The Lt. I talked to highly suggested getting into college and joining the cadet system with the department I wanted to start my career at. You gain a reputation with the department, while going to school, and when you get to the oral interview on why you want to be a LEO and work at the specific department you have a very good answer 'I was training as a cadet there for some time now, I know all the routines, paper work and how the department operates".

Thanks for answering my question and explaining it. :) I appreciate it.