Time off during academy?

[rnlindne]

So I just signed up to take all the necessary tests (CJBAT, TABE, SWIM, BMST) in order to apply with most Broward county (FL) departments and will be submitting a few applications in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, I just saw that I have to check in for the 2011 Ironman Florida on a Thursday in November, which means I'd be out of town a Thursday and Friday for the Saturday race. Has anyone heard of an academy allowing any time off? I'd really hate to have wasted all the $$$ entering plus 2 years training if I couldn't take the 2 days.
Thanks in advance

[BJJVad]

so i just signed up to take all the necessary tests (cjbat, tabe, swim, bmst) in order to apply with most broward county (fl) departments and will be submitting a few applications in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, i just saw that i have to check in for the 2011 ironman florida on a thursday in november, which means i'd be out of town a thursday and friday for the saturday race. Has anyone heard of an academy allowing any time off? I'd really hate to have wasted all the $$$ entering plus 2 years training if i couldn't take the 2 days.
Thanks in advance

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kimble]

I've been through 4 police academies and none of them granted time off outside of emergency situations. You can either be serious about being a cop and dedicate yourself to the required training, or go play in a marathon and look at another career field. Academy time is not the time where you're making decisions on your time, nor should it be.

[mcsap]

Becoming a police officer is a SERIOUS committment of time , money and resources. While the Ironman competition is quite an opportunity , it is not a CAREER.

Choose whether you want to be a cop or an Ironman.

[Joeyd6]

You want two day off from training to run a Ironman? You better pick what you want to do more because you are only going to get to do one!

[Switchback]

You guys didn't get time off during your academy? I would take an occasional Monday or Friday off as a personal "mental health day". Boy! The feds really treat their guys better, eh?





































Come on! Really? Well, you can always do the race next year (assuming a rookie can get the days off) or put in for the job later (silly).

[Samuel]

You guys didn't get time off during your academy? I would take an occasional Monday or Friday off as a personal "mental health day". Boy! The feds really treat their guys better, eh?

DAMMIT! No one told me nothing! If I had known, I would have finished school and gone Fed!

No wonder I'm so Freaked Up!



FWIW, IF the OP was looking at a "milestone birthday" kind of situation AND IF it was THE IRONMAN (Hawaii) race, THEN I'd feel some sympathy...

[rnlindne]

"I'd really hate to have wasted all the $$$ entering plus 2 years training if I couldn't take the 2 days."
Weird... it's like I already said which I'd choose if i had to, I guess i should have capitalized it or something.

[Switchback]

"I'd really hate to have wasted all the $$$ entering plus 2 years training if I couldn't take the 2 days."
Weird... it's like I already said which I'd choose if i had to, I guess i should have capitalized it or something.

Weird! Everyone seems to have the same opinion of your perspective of things. You'll do well as an officer, I am sure. It sounds like your heart is really in it... the kind of guy we avoid calling for backup.

[rnlindne]

I've learned a lot on this forum and really appreciate some of the responses I've gotten. I've never been through any of this before, so naturally I have questions. I already that I would give up the race if I had to. Not sure what went wrong here.

[Citicop]

Not too lomg ago, we hired a new officer right outnof the academy. One of our Lieutenants attended his graduation, along with the officer who would do hisnfield training.

After the ceremony, the Lieutanant introduced them. "Officer Newguy, this is John Trainingguy, he'll be your FTO."

He shook hands, and immediately replied, "Cool. So are we off on Christmas, or what?"

He didn't last long with us. You don't want to be 'that guy.'

The flack you're getting is because among the senior guys anywhere, the attitude is that new guys should be grateful to have been hired and should be willing to spend some time in the crapper taking bad assignments, missing family events for work, and otherwise sacraficing stuff for the Job.

Just like we all did.

Law Enforcement is not like working at a bank or a retail or IT job.

Imagine the response on a military forum if you asked about skipping a few days of Basic Training to attend a prior commitment... Same thing here.

It's not personal... This is how senior guys teach new guys how it is in Law Enforcement. Welcome to the club.

-Citicop.

[Switchback]

Here, I will spell it out for you. There are a TON of people who REALLY want this job and would fully appreciate an opportunity to be hired and in an academy. They would appreciate it so much, that they would take it seriously and unequivocally make it the priority that this type of career requires.

Yes, it sucks being out a few bucks for the race. On the bright side, you are in shape and "physically" ready for the academy. Now, if only you can get into the mental game, you may find the comments a little more to your liking.

Another thing that you may not understand is that, those of us who DO take this job seriously, hate working with those that do not. There is nothing more dangerous than working with a guy who is doing this job for a paycheck... this is not that kind of career.

[rnlindne]

Citicop, thank you.
Switch, I know what you're are saying. Trust me, in no way would I ever not take a job in law enforcement seriously.
Thanks again for the replies.

[Kimble]

Switch, I know what you're are saying. Trust me, in no way would I ever not take a job in law enforcement seriously.

Switch put it very well above, good to see you're taking his constructive criticisim as such. Your original post came across as someone with a sense of entitlement (i.e. "I paid for this Ironman run, the academy owes it to me to let me off for it"), but you'll find out the first minute of the first day that as a police trainee (or even new officer in field training) you have to earn your stripes (and reputation). Rookies get the worst shifts, work holidays, get last pick on days off and anything where seniority plays a part... nature of the business.

Sounds like you're starting to take our advice the right way, which will pay dividends should you be hired and get into this field for real. It's the people who think they are entitled to stuff from day 1 that are booted off field training or quit.

[rnlindne]

Switch put it very well above, good to see you're taking his constructive criticisim as such. Your original post came across as someone with a sense of entitlement (i.e. "I paid for this Ironman run, the academy owes it to me to let me off for it"), but you'll find out the first minute of the first day that as a police trainee (or even new officer in field training) you have to earn your stripes (and reputation). Rookies get the worst shifts, work holidays, get last pick on days off and anything where seniority plays a part... nature of the business.

Sounds like you're starting to take our advice the right way, which will pay dividends should you be hired and get into this field for real. It's the people who think they are entitled to stuff from day 1 that are booted off field training or quit.

Well, I definitely don't feel entitled to anything, just disappointing.
Then again... I could have my twin go and sign in for me, pull an all-nighter on friday driving up to Panama City, get to the start line by 6:00 am saturday, race all day, get back in the car and drive back in time for monday morning... hmmm who says I can't have my cake and eat it too...