Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

First of all thank you for creating this site. It has made the waiting process all the much easier knowing what others have gone through. I'm very excited for the thought of possibly being honored by being invited to the academy so forgive me for all the questions.

I am on the final stages of the application process. I have the psych, poly, and PT left. Any advice or tips before going in?

I don't want to take it for granted that I have made it this far only to mess up on these tests.

I have a clean background and during the review board had no real hard questions. I'm thinking maybe they grill you here. How often do you think people get weeded out here? Should I be worried?

Any advice is helpful.

Thank you in advance:)

Well there isn't really much you can do to gurantee a pass rating.

Just be truthful for all of them.

For my CJO I just shot from the hip.

Guess it worked :D

Ok thanks. You're in the Sept academy? Great! Hope to see you there

Yup I'll see you in September ;)


Don't worry. Just remember to take your own pillow.

You'll thank me for it ;)

Yup I'll see you in September ;)


Don't worry. Just remember to take your own pillow.

You'll thank me for it ;)

FWIW, at my state academy, I took my own sleeping bag, too.

It was much easier to make, hadn't been laundered with the inmates laundry BY the inmates, and I didn't have to worry as much about what others left behind. :cool:

Geez, good to know. Feel free to give me advice on anything else if anyone thinks of anything.

Does anyone know how long after the testing you receive your results?

I imagine you'll receive your results in two weeks.


Its crunch time to get as many recruits in the class as possible.

Wow really? even with the sept date looming around the corner?

Within two weeks is pretty quick. The Director of the Agency (Colonel) has to sign off on your packet to be hired.

Hey man thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

We just had the last group of interns this week, so I think the hiring date for this next academy (September) is closed and they will begin the hiring process for the next one (March 2010). When did you go through your oral board? They called me two weeks after my oral board for the conditional.

The conditional offer you are going up to the Academy for means they are serious about you as an applicant. You will know if you passed your poly, PT etc right after taking them. Don't be nervous about it. Be yourself (this helps).

Bring a suit for the poly (you will be interviewed).

Good luck.

Hello, all,

A friend just put me onto this forum so I'm really late to the discussion.

I was also late to the application process for the DPS September 09 recruit class but I got my application in on time, completed my boards a couple of weeks ago, and got word last week that I've been scheduled for my tesing in Austin.

This is where my questions start.

I'm scheduled to be in Austin on the 13th of September with testing starting the next day, Monday the 14th. I was told by the scheduler that I'd be there for four and a half days (that's Friday midday) and she didn't know when the results would be available. With the class starting the 27th, that seems to be cutting it close, don't you guys think? Is it possible that they may be setting me up for the March class?

Have any of you already done your Austin trip? How'd it go? What should I expect? Most importantly, how was the PFT (Physical Fitness Test)? What were the 300m times (I'm struggling with that one...)?

Any insight would be helpful. Likewise, if you have any other comments or suggestions on topics I didn't raise, feel free to throw them in.

Thanks,

David

Just got back from the Austin trip. The new director eliminated a few things from the PT. The only things they will have you do is sit-ups, push ups, and 1.5 mile run. They will tell you when you get there, just ask the Trooper. The Corporal that leads it was very helpful, if you get the same one which I imagine you will. The pillow was the best suggestion. Maybe shower flip flops or something.

Poly-be truthful, you have nothing to worry about.
Psych- easiest test, well the interview is. The "bubble" test is long. Take breaks...560 questions if I remember correctly. The Doctor will not be able to tell you your results as stated above, but the other tests you will know your results immediately.

There are no real surprises, you are just there to take your tests. Also there is a medical test, you know regular stuff, drugs, ekg, and other stuff.

Just ask them if you are applying for March, they'll let you know. I think you should be okay for the Sept academy.

... I really appreciate it.

Since my post, I've already found out about the shortened PT and, with a strained ham string, I'm glad the 300m is out. I think I could make it but at a price.

I also confirmed with Austin that I'm in the September class.

Yeah, the MMPI is a very tedious instrument. I've taken it a few times (I'm a psych major...). I've also taken a poly (you're right, relax and be truthful...) so I don't think there will be any problems there. I also just finished my annual physical, no problems so that should be a breeze.

I can't remember (and I can't see your earlier posts at this point), did you say you were in the September or March class?

Thanks again for your help. Between you and a few other contacts in the last few days I have a better idea about what to expect.

David

Anytime...I am also waiting for the Sept academy. It seems I passed all tests and I just need my official letter. Only the psyche test is the one I didn't get my results so... Although everything else is favorable, what do you think the chances are that I don't get that letter? I mean everything went normal, it's just I'm a bit nervous b/c I just turned in my two weeks, being that it's so close to the academy and if I wait I can't help them find my replacement.

Nothing is ever guranteed my friend.


Good luck.

c_rows,

Like Chevy said, there are no guarantees.

However, if I understand correctly, the test is the MMPI (Minnisota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) and, if it is, that instrument measures clinically deviant behavior (i.e. sociopathic personalities; sexual deviance; etc.), things that people are usually institutionalized for. So, unless you fit in one of those categories, or you tried to "psych" the test (the MMPI is one that you really can't, even if you think you can...), you should be OK. If you're a normal person, and you answered the test honestly, I wouldn't worry about it.

Of course, a large part of the process is how the results are evaluated which involves a person assessing the results against whatever criteria the department uses. As with any test, there is subjectivity at some level that the testee cannot directly affect.

I, too, am in a similar situation and my testing is coming up next week, 09-14, so I have even less time to get my results.

Regardless, I hope to see you in class in two weeks...

David

:D Well got the call, then got the letter. See you all in a few weeks! Be safe and work hard!

:D Well got the call, then got the letter. See you all in a few weeks! Be safe and work hard!

Congrats, Good Luck & give'm Hell. :cool:

:D Well got the call, then got the letter. See you all in a few weeks! Be safe and work hard!

I'm very glad you were accepted. I just finished my test week this past week. I passed everything except the physical. While I just passed my annual physical with flying colors, you can't pass the DPS physical with any joint, back, or neck issues. Even though I can pass the PFT (I've done so on several dry runs...), and function just fine on the job, it doesn't matter. Such issues put the department at too great a risk of workers comp claims connected with such conditions. So, after passing everything else, I was cut Thursday.

Regardless, I was honored to have gotten that far and I am glad for those who made it into the class. The best of luck to you...

David

Cngrats C! See you there in 9 days!

Sorry to hear that David. Keep your spirits high and reapply!!! I had to go see their ortho doc while i was testing because of a football injury that i had 3 yrs ago...they are just VERY hard on their madical physicals!

God Bless!

Zack,

I appreciate your encouraging words but, in my case, I don't think I have any options. I was told by their ortho doc that DPS doesn't want any candidate who has any conditions that will increase their risk for workers' comp claims. And the types of conditions that lead to such claims are injuries to necks, lower backs, joints (particularly of the arms), arthritis, and strength differentials of arms or legs.

I have several of these things. He said I might be able to pass with only one, but not several. I'm 61 and by that time in my life I've accumulated a collection of "trophies" from the many experiences I've had. So, I don't think the result would be any different if I reapply.

It's unfortunate because I know I had a good file: outstanding background; outstanding written tests; I think I had a good oral; I had practiced the full seven-event fitness test and exceeded all standards; and I passed everything last week. And I knew what I was getting into and I was commited to the department and being a Trooper and I was absolutely confident that I would excel in the academics and be at least mid-pack in the fitness portion.

DPS and I have missed a very good opportunity. And the irony is that I've been a FedEx courier for the last five years and my job is more physical in one day than the average Trooper is in a week.

Anyway, enough whinning. Get on with it. I'll try other agencies but I know they won't be the same. In the meantime, keep me posted on your progress and be careful out there.

David

I just passed my polygraph on feb 9, 2011 and I still have not received a call for the oral interview(today date 2/21/2011). Does anyone know how long they take to call you and if so what questions am I going to be asked?

I just passed my polygraph on feb 9, 2011 and I still have not received a call for the oral interview(today date 2/21/2011). Does anyone know how long they take to call you and if so what questions am I going to be asked?

I also responded on the other thread. You have a couple of steps between the poly and the oral board. You still have the background investigation and approval from the chain of command. Then your packet will be submitted to Austin to determine if you are going to the board.

Best wishes to you.

lily2004 and xxinfluence,

I believe there is a more current thread on this subject in the Texas forum. Thread necrophilia is considered bad form here. Had you two been one of the original posters come back to tell us you'd finally made it or something, that might have been different, but as for now, this thread is closed and you can continue your discussion in the other, newer thread. Or, you're more than welcome to make an even newer thread! :biggrin5: