Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hello all. Quick introduction before I throw a few questions out there about the PA SP.

I come from a very srong LE background (my father, three uncles, cousin, and aunt are all Philadelphia police officers, with various ranks and various positions, from SWAT to detective, etc., etc.), and I have always wanted to be a police officer myself. Upon graduating from college with my bachelors, I entered the Army's officer (OCS) program, but was discharged after a month because of a bad knee that is in need of surgery (I'll be getting that done next month). So of course I'll be rehabbing for quite a while, but when I'm back to 100% I'll be looking to join the PA SP. I thought I'd get ahead and do my research now, by asking my SP recruiter and everyone here a few questions (to compare/contrast answers). They're in no order - just what comes to my head.

1. The PA SP Academy is live-in, with weekends off a privilege. I'm imagining that you get there and won't get to head out until about 3 weeks in, and then something like every other week (or more) you'll be allowed to head home. Is this about right, or should I expect something different?

2. What are the wake-up and lights-out times at the Academy?

3. What about the usual day-to-day activity at the Academy? Is it more running around, or more classwork-oriented stuff, or a fair mix?

4. Upon graduation, each cadet gets to select his or her top three troop locations. How likely is one to get one of those top three? How likely am I to stick around southeastern PA, rather than ending up in the Erie area? Not that I'd mind, I'm just curious.

5. Basic question - to any SP troopers here, what do you think of the job?

6. The PA SP starting pay is great to me - nearly $51,000/year before deductions, etc. Will there be opportunities for overtime? How does that pay? I think Philadelphia pays time-and-a-half - same type of deal?

7. What is the average amount of time in between promotions, or rather, time in between opportunities to get promoted?

8. And, of course, the expected question - How does life at the Academy compare to recruit life at, say, Fort Benning, GA?

9. And how is/was life (from your point of view) as a fresh state trooper?

OK, that's all I got now. Sorry for the wall of text! Any and all input is much appreciated. Thanks all!

Bump. Sorry if this seemed specific to PA SP troopers. I'd really love to hear about anyone's experiences / answers to my questions as a SP officer, no matter where you're from.

Thanks again.

1. The PSP Academy in Hershey, PA is a live-in Academy and you will not get every weekend off. You will get two-out-of-three or one-out-of-two weekends off, as you suspect. Someone still has to stay there and clean the horse poop, the dog poop, and paint things. How often you get off will depend on the size of your class and any other classes in the Academy. You can lose those weekends off by failing room inspection or falling behind on grades or physical requirements.

2. Wake-up time depends on how fast you can get your bed made to military specifications. You have to be outside for morning run or morning swim by 0530. If you're very, very quick then you could get up as late as 0500. If you're not that quick you will be getting up earlier. Lights out, if I remember right, is 0900. I might be wrong on that one.

3. For the physical-to-mental mix, you will have some type of PT every morning at 0530. It will be running three days a week with swimming and gym activities worked into the other two days. Runs are anywhere from 3-6 miles and they will actively look for big hills...some very big hills. Breakfast starts at 0630 and morning duties (chores around the Academy) start at 0700. Classes start at 0800 and run until 1130. Lunch and then back to classes until 1630. Then you might have an evening class after dinner. Classes range from a variety of things, but you will be going back into the gym almost daily for more physical training. Make sure you can climb ropes too.

4. Southeastern PA is a VERY good likelihood. Because of cost of living and generally being from out west, most Troopers try to get back out west. Hence, east (especially south east) has a good number of openings, usually.

5. I love the job. Like any police job, I watch my back with the department (you can be replaced by a new Trooper who gets paid less, so if you're a liability you will get released). That said, the fellow Troopers are great and a lot of good times. Of course, a bad supervisor can ruin a stint someplace. That said, my wife has told me that I have never once told her I didn't want to go into work (like I have with previous jobs) or that I remotely dislike my job. We have good pay, solid benefits, and one of the best retirement packages you'll find anywhere. All bonuses, especially for a man with a family. Living in southeastern PA though (I just moved from Montgomery county after 3-4 years there and 1-2 years in Center City), it can be rough to keep a house, but doable.

6. Your pay will move along well. PSP Philadelphia and PSP Media (the Delaware county station) has a lot of overtime on I-76, I-676, and I-95. You can easily make an extra $10k-$15k there your first year, not to mention any SPEED OT or Triggerlock (which that will probably not send new Troopers into, but still there). The contract is confusing with OT, but any OT is at least time-and-a-half. Other conditions, including our Holidays, are double-time. You also get 5% to 6% shift differential for working evening or midnight shifts, respectively. A note on OT though and how it differs from PPD OT is that court time is NOT mandatory OT. They will schedule court time into your regular schedule, so do not count on that.

7. You cannot become a Cpl. until you have five years on the job. After that, I forget the general timelines. Some people, though, have advanced very quickly, especially coming out of Philadelphia because a lot of things are happening there and the eyes of brass are turned there often.

8. I have no military time, so I won't comment.

9. I wanted to go write some pinches!

If you need any other information, feel free to post again (I check back every few days) or just Private Message me. I'll do the best I can to relay the information you need.

Another quick question, and mini-bump:

How long was the whole application process, from the time you took the written test (step 1) until the time you were invited to attend the Academy? Just curious, because I've heard months from some, whereas others have said a year and a half. I'm sure the answer depends on a lot of things, but I'd still like to hear any answers anyone may have.

Thanks again everyone!

I took the written test in Feburary..the oral in May and didn't get my letter until July of the next year to enter the the Academy in September. Not to brag but just to give you a better idea of time, I was 200th overall out of 14,000 that took the test but that was when the test was only given every couple of years. Now they give it more often and the lists expire more quickly and the process moves a little quicker.

Not to brag but just to give you a better idea of time, I was 200th overall out of 14,000 that took the test but that was when the test was only given every couple of years. Now they give it more often and the lists expire more quickly and the process moves a little quicker.

What a bragger.

I took the written test in Feburary..the oral in May and didn't get my letter until July of the next year to enter the the Academy in September. Not to brag but just to give you a better idea of time, I was 200th overall out of 14,000 that took the test but that was when the test was only given every couple of years. Now they give it more often and the lists expire more quickly and the process moves a little quicker.

Thanks for the input!

I took the oral examination almost 2 weeks ago. So I'm on my way, but still have some significant ground to cover.

And again, if any other state troopers, or and LEO's, would care to offer any advice concerning this whole process, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks again.

Lenny,

I know someone who is PSP, and I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

If you feel comfortable PM'ing me with an email address (even a generic one), I will forward it on to him.

He's given a LOT of great advice to my son who is looking to become a PSP, also.

BTW, we're not far from each other. I'm in Delco (there are also a couple other Delco officers here, too).

So keep it in mind and I can pass the email off to him or ask him to join the forums here to give you any help you might need.

The very best of luck to you.

Can anyone please tell me the shift schedules of a PA SP. I know that some of my family in NJ local LE work a 4 on 4 off schedule, working 10 hrs a shift. What is this like for the PA SP?

Can anyone please tell me the shift schedules of a PA SP. I know that some of my family in NJ local LE work a 4 on 4 off schedule, working 10 hrs a shift. What is this like for the PA SP?

They do 8 hour shifts, staggered I believe...

This thread is 18 months old.