major cities not taking lateral transfers

[studentcj]

Are you in agreeance to major city departments for the most part not taking lateral transfers. I would think that if an applicant already has their license that they would only need to attend a shorten academy but I can also see the flip side of the arguement. Does it help the applicant in the process that he or she already has their license when they are up against those with zero

[Citicop]

Common sense says that prior Law Enforcement experience and certification would give an experienced candidate a leg up over someone new to the field.

But I can also understand large departments wanting to ensure that everyone is on exactly the same page for liability reasons, hence the requirement for attending the entire academy.

-Citicop.

[retdetsgt]

We take in state laterals and they only have to attend a shortened academy. We have people go through an "advanced" academy we put on that's beyond what the state requires. It's about 12 weeks, I think. Laterals only have to attend that. It would seem silly to make them go through the same academy they've been through before. Our advanced academy is geared to teach them the ins and outs of our department as well as continue training in shooting, driving, etc.

Out of state have to attend the full state academy though. I believe that's the state's requirement, not just ours.