Orange County (CA) Sheriff Dept.

[LeoSoon]

Is anyone going through the process for Orange County Sheriff in Southern CA? I just finished some testing today and was curious of others progress and staying in touch with anyone going through it too.

My progress so far:

Written: Passed
Pre-Oral: Passed
Physical: Passed
Oral: Dec 07
Background Interview: Starting Dec 20.

TIM

[leowonderer]

I live in SoCal and I was thinking of applying... but since I did not do as well as I would have hoped for in the physical in another department I am holding off... a couple people I work with applied though, but have not seen them in a few days so I can not tell you how they did.

Good Luck

[LeoSoon]

Any updates from your coworkers?

My progress so far:

Written: Passed
Pre-Oral: Passed
Physical: Passed
Oral: Passed
Background: Started
Psych - Written: Results Pending
Medical: Results Pending
Psych - Oral: Jan 25

[dizza]

I did testing through their Reserves program quite a few years back. Unfortunately for me, I was sick the days before the physical and did it anyhow... bad mistake. I almost passed out during the end of it. Needless to say I didn't pass it. I've tested with other departments though.

You in OC?

-d

[LeoSoon]

Yes, I'm in OC.

I thought the OC Sheriff Physical test was pretty easy. My upper body strength is pretty good so I just flew over the wall. The dummy drag and car push were no problem at all, the run was ok, but that was the last thing I did and I was tired from the other tests so I didn't run it as fast as I could.

I also tested for a smaller PD in OC and they also ran the test at the OC Sheriff Academy, so I'm getting pretty good at that course ;)

Hopefully I pass BG and get hired on soon.

[leoitisca]

Well,
On the 8th of Jan @ 7:00 there were about 215-300 men and women outside of the middle school in OC (forget name) waiting to take the written. We were then brought inside a huge room. The type we've all been imprisoned in during middleschool pep rallies where if you were lucky a cheerleader would hold the splits long enough to piss off the dean. ;) After about 10-15 mins we started the written which ended @ 9:15. BECAUSE OF THE RAIN OUTSIDE OF OUR SHELTER, they announced the people who failed the written to stand up and leave the auditorium. Supposedly, during times of good weather they have everyone stand OUTSIDE the building and announce those who pass to come inside to save the embarassment of others? Whatever. Just because you did not pass a written at some department does not mean that you are a failure, nor does it mean that you are any less of a person.
Anyhow, this brought us down to about 110. Then they announced another 70-80 names. 70-80 of these names passed, but did not score high enough for a DST (Deputy Sheriff) position. The 30 or some odd of us that passed (top 10%) with the higher score did. After this we had quick initial backround questionaire, and then PAT (which was pretty tough BTW) but passed.
Have oral on the 13th. Will update if you want? Wish me luck! Thanks all (Lurker). :eek:

[LeoSoon]

Yep, that sounds about right. That was a good description of the process. On the day I tested (back in Dec) the weather was ok so we all went outside as you described and they called those that passed.

Good job on passing the PAT, I'm curious, what part of it did you think was though? As far as your oral, look sharp and wear a suit. While waiting for my Oral results I noticed that everyone who failed their Oral just happened to NOT be wearing a suit. Make sure you get their early.

Keep us updated.

[leoitisca]

Hey,
I felt that the toughest part of the PAT was the 440 yd dash. It was the last thing I did (so I was pretty well worn) and it was raining out, so rounding those cones I was almost certain I was going to eat it. The six foot wall was tougher then expected. Not physically draining but just an experience I had never done before! I was one of the first to finish everything and leave so I only saw like 5 or 6 people do the PAT. I am 6'0, and there were alot of short people there. Im sure that wall was pretty tough for them. Not being sexist at all, but it seemed that it may be a tough obstacle course for a woman. Any women or vertically challenged people take the written for OC or have an experience they'd like to share? Will keep updated. Thanks!

BTW, my name IS actually Leo. So I fit in perfect for this job. j/k. But it is true. Another Italian on the force! Hopefully

[dizza]

Every dept that I have tested with, the women always have problems with the walls. Its just a fact that their upper body strength is not the same as a man's. When I tested with HB, there was one woman who was bragging to the guys in our testing group that she had been in the Marines a few years back, and that she'd kick our ass doing this PAT. She went about half way through the group... first attempt at the chain link fence, had some trouble, about near fell off head first... but she made it. First attempt at the wood wall, ran towards it, put one leg out in front of her, planted it on the wall, reached forward with her hands... but the leg kept her from even coming close to the top with her hands.. and she fell down...second attempt, she backed up about 20 feet... ran full blast at it, and tried the jump up and catch the hands routine... she pancaked so hard against the wall we could hear her knee's slam into the wood and we were 50 feet away. She lost all of breathe and just gave up. She didn't even come back to where the group was standing to pick up her towel and water bottle, she just walked to her car and left. I felt sorry for her.

A few depts here in OC know that women in general have problems with the walls and have some Pre-PAT sessions for people to try the walls and get tips from the PAT testers.

-d

[leowonderer]

Did the OC PAT require pushups in the obsticle course. One of the individuals I work with is almost half way through BI and he said there was. Sounds like an interesting process. If for some reason my current situation falls through then I may apply.

[leoitisca]

Hey,
Dizz thanks so much for your reply! Ouch! The knees hitting the wall I imagined!! :eek: I believe what you say however about upper body strength regarding to the female sex as my oldest sister failed the Tahoe Fire Dept. exam because unfortunatley she did not have the upper body strength to carry a fire hose up 6 flights of stairs. She said her legs felt fine but she felt if she took another step her arm and pectoral muscle would have ripped out of socket. Unfortunatly, the human body is built different between sexes.

Leowonderer,
During the middle of the obstacle course there is a part after you charge a doorway and cut right where you drop down and do 10 push-ups. Does not sound like too much, but this is after the 6' wall, a few hurdles, a balance beam and a few more hurdles all using uppe body strength. So you are a little off but I'm sure you can do it. GOOD LUCK! When is your written?
Any more replies like Leowonderers? Interesting insight.

[LeoSoon]

Oh yeah the push ups, I almost forgot. Thinking back the course goes like this: Small hurdle, zig zag of offset barriers, 6' solid wall, 3 steps (make sure you use every step) to a balance beam, 3 chest high hurdles that you roll over, go around the 2nd 6' brick wall (they don't make you scale this one), then you drop for 10 push ups (you can do it, but you are winded at this point), then through a window and a doorway/hallway, quick sprint to a fence which you tap, then a 50 yard sprint to finish.

When I applied to a smaller dept in OC, they made us run this same course but instead of the push ups you had to do the monkey bars before going through the window and they required you to scale the 2nd 6' wall.

That course doesn't seem like much when you look at it but all of the different items combined with time, stress and running really works you.

[jellis]

re-posted own thread - sorry

[socal ryno]

My cousin is in the Orange County Sheriff's Academy right now. And I do know this, It is the toughest Academy in the nation. Good Luck to you!

[Roger Dat]

I'm sure some people would beg to differ as to what Academy is the toughest in the nation.