Putting yourself through academy

[msb2004]

Greetings!

I'm thinking about putting myself through the police academy here in Southern California because of the currently Financial difficulties BUT I was wondering if that will really help me get a job or not????????? Does it really improve your chances by much?

Would love the feedback

Thanks!

[bushido71]

I feel your pain. I was going through the process with a couple of PDs in Southern California and have felt first-hand the effects of budgetary constraints. My perspective is that putting yourself through an academy will help you with smaller departments. They generally would rather hire someone they don't need to train for 6 months. I don't know that it will help you as much with larger municipal departments. Keep in mind, though, that you would still need to jump through all the same hoops to get hired, including backgrounds, poly, etc. So make sure your house is in order before dropping a lot of money on academy tuition. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you.

[msb2004]

Thanks! I figure it should help with getting into a smaller department but it still seems as though, right now, it's nearly impossible to get hired anywhere in California right now......

[Maxximus]

hey there. Having academy training will obviously put you ahead of similar applicants without any training, but it most certainly does not guarantee you a job, especially here in SoCal. It's a question of cost vs benefits. I know of people who've put themselves through local academies and STILL couldn't get a job for quite awhile. On top of that, some departments (such as one I am currently in process with) prefer that all their new recruits be put through an academy of their choosing. This department I am trying to get into right now is accepting applications for academy trainees, but not for pre-service recruits. That means that if you wanted to get into this department right now, you'd still have to go through their academy if you were picked. But i'm sure that having prior academy training would put you a lot further up for consideration than you would be otherwise.

But of course their are some departments out there that actively recruit from academy classes. You just have to make your own decision about whether its worth it for you. If you do decide to put yourself through, you definitely want to go to an academy that is very reputable. I hear Rio Hondo is good and that a lot of people get recruited coming out of there. If a good department guaranteed me a spot provided that I put myself through training, I'd do it. But for me personally, I don't have enough money to make that kind of investment without being guaranteed a job when I get out.

Its tough to get a spot here in Cali right now. I definitely feel you on that! But a lot more places are hiring than you might think. Just find the good departments that need to fill spots right now. Good luck!

[dizza]

My best friend went through an academy and graduated, but he hasn't been hired by a department yet. Sucks for him... The depts that I have tested with say they are hiring 10 people this year, but when I talk to the recruiters, they tell me "its more realistic that only 2 or 3 will be hired throughout the year." With over 300 people showing up to each testing, chances are slim.

David