Becoming a cop in a new city

[Kyle49]

I have been looking at job postings from many police departments around the country and have noticed that residency is not always a prerequisite to applying to a department in a particular city. Some job postings even encourage out of state candidates to apply. I was wondering how exactly someone entering the force in a state he/she has never been to learns the geography of the area? I would be entering as an entry level officer so is the layout of that particular town or city something they teach you in the academy?

Thanks

Kyle

[steelcityk9cop]

Um.....try the internet. ;) When I decided to go latteral from Philly to Da'Burgh I had no knowledge of 1/2 the places I was applying to. When I got the letter from my current dept. regarding the oral interview I spent hours researching the township, the department, and everything in the area. I also printed off lots of maps and demographic information. I walked into my interview able to discuss traffic problems and social problems specific to the pd. I was from 350 miles away and I knew more than guys who grew up there.

[cwillis0001]

City geography was one of the first things we learned in our academy. I came from waaay out of state so it was certainly helpful. Also, just driving around on your own time helps you learn surprisingly quick.