LEO application/academy questions

[Saffikeagan]

I have two distinctly different questions that I'd like some advise on please. I am revisiting the idea of applying to become a LEO for a local PD. It's something I've toyed with on and off, but not anything I've pursued until now.

First: In 2004, I was employed for a month or two as a dispatcher for a local PD. I was fired before my training was complete (I do not know for sure what the documented reason was but it came down to mistakes I made and attitude I believe). I know if I do apply for a job as a LEO, there will be questions about this. I don't want my answer to sound like an excuse, but it really was a bad situation I got caught in. I've never had any other problems on any other jobs: not even documented verbal warnings. Here's what happened with the dispatch job. When I was hired on, there were major politics at play in the dispatch department. They hadn't been able to keep a new hire employed for two year previous to my hire (i.e. everyone else who worked there had been there for over 2 years). One of the shift supervisors was allowed to rule the whole department and could go over the Lt's head because she was friends with the Asst Chief over the dispatchers. I was assigned to train with a different shift supervisor who taught me the wrong things and who this other supervisor did not like. After a month they changed the shifts I was working, and I was then working under the "ruling" supervisor. She climbed all over me for things that I didn't know, hadn't been taught, or had been taught incorrectly. I was not asked why I wasn't performing correctly, I was just penalized for it. Therefore, I did not try to explain (excuse) my actions and was accused of having a poor attitude and was fired while the Lt. was on vacation. This was all 5 years ago, I have 5 years more work experience now and would now handle that same situation much differently as I'm more confident and comfortable with confrontation. However, I don't know how I can explain this (or if it will even matter) without it sounding like I'm making excuses. Any suggestions? Will this hurt my chances of being hired by a PD?


Second: I hate running, I've never been good at it, my knees start protesting if I'm exposing them to day after day of pounding ground. I can be on my bicycle for hours at a time racking up 40+ odd miles at a time so it not like I'm just not aerobically able to handle running, I'm just not built to be a runner (even when I was in competitive gymnastics I couldn't do much endurance running). I wouldn't have much problem on duty as my knees are fine day-to-day and with short-term stressors like a sprint or occasional jogs with the dogs, but I'm worried how much running is usually required at the academies? Is it hardcore like wake-up each morning for 5 months and run until you puke then run some more? Or is it a bit easier than that. I'll do any other PT exercise until I can't get up the next day heck I've spent weeks at martial arts camps doing martial arts for 6 hours a day. I just can't run worth crap. Can you help me gain a good idea of what I can expect if I do get accepted?

[Roger Dat]

The firing from a PD is a major hurdle. If you couldnt handle dispatching why should we believe you can handle anything more. Im not trying to be mean but looking at it objectively. As a dispatcher at least at my agency SOMEONE is always there to help you or walk you through something etc. This is not the case out on patrol.

We dont expect everyone to know everything but we DO expect them to ask when they dont, its how we learn.

As far as running goes every academy I know of besides part time academies have ALOT of running in them. Some states even have a running standard you must meet to graduate and become certified.

[Kimble]

If you couldnt handle dispatching why should we believe you can handle anything more. Im not trying to be mean but looking at it objectively. As a dispatcher at least at my agency SOMEONE is always there to help you or walk you through something etc. This is not the case out on patrol... Some states even have a running standard you must meet to graduate and become certified.

This could not be said any better.

[Saffikeagan]

The firing from a PD is a major hurdle. If you couldnt handle dispatching why should we believe you can handle anything more. Im not trying to be mean but looking at it objectively. As a dispatcher at least at my agency SOMEONE is always there to help you or walk you through something etc. This is not the case out on patrol.

We dont expect everyone to know everything but we DO expect them to ask when they dont, its how we learn.

It really boiled down to the fact that I had very little work experience and had never dealt with hostile coworkers and supervisors. Now I have 5 years experience with the same organization, 2 years as a manager. I've dealt with staff and patients who were aggressive/insubordinate/confrontational/etc and have the tools to successfully negotiate a wider variety of situations.

How much detail will the BI check reveal about why I was fired? Will it be a full disclosure thing, or will it be more of a "yes, she was terminated." thing?

[PapaBear]

My advice is to visit the idea of a different occupation.

In all liklihood, since you dislike running, you will not be successful in completing the minimum physical standards in the academy. Your past dismissal from a dispatch position with a law enforcement agency can be overcome, but it will take work on your part. No one can help you change who and what you are.

Perhaps you would be better suited to a less physical job with your own employees.

Before you flare for my comments, I remind you that you asked!

[retdetsgt]

Go apply and see what happens..... Being canned from any job isn't going to look good. Remember, the dept you apply for is going to get the other side of the story and it will no doubt be different from yours.

As far as running, I don't see it a big deal as long as you can pass the agility test and handle the academy. I worked out most of my life, but never cared for running either.

[Kimble]

How much detail will the BI check reveal about why I was fired? Will it be a full disclosure thing, or will it be more of a "yes, she was terminated." thing?

A full disclosure thing, which is where your waiver (which grants the agency access to all your personnel files) comes into play. Expect the full details of your termination to be disclosed.

As said above, though, go ahead and apply. As you said, you've had 5 years of progressive responsibility elsewhere, which may help sell you as a viable candidate.