Part time academy question...

[leowonderer]

I am looking at my options right now and I am thinking of applying to an academy in Southern California this fall if I do not get into my first choice department. Since I have to work at the same time I am doing the academy I am thinking about the part time academy. Does anyone have any information on this option (as opposed to the normal 6 month or so full time academy)?

Here are some things I know about some of the current part time academies...
1. 11 months or so depending on department.
2. Usually 2 nights per week plus some weekends.

I would like some information on what academies would be good for someone that may be split between a pd or sheriffs department. If you can name some programs that would be great, some of the ones I am looking at right now are Ben Clark and possibly the San Bernadino Sheriffs academy. Any others in So Cal that I might consider, closer to San Bernadino, Riverside, Corona, (I.E. inland empire, vs LA or orange county) etc.

I really think with my credentials that I can get into a department but I am willing to go through the academy not sponsered to make my chances better.

Thanks as always.

[ngcsubutterbar]

I'm having to do the part time thing to, but the schedule isn't final yet, and it's not a set thing. Also not in CA. We have much more freedom here and can basically design it around schedules, hell, we can do condensed and finish in time with the normal academy or even ahead of them, if we all had the time.

[LeoSoon]

The only other Academy I know of that allows self sponser and offers a part time program is Fullerton College, but that's more OC, and not so close to you.

The OC Sheriff Academy is thought to be one of the best in CA, and I was talking to a guy the other day who is trying to Latteral over to OC Sheriff and since he went through the San Bernadino Sheriff Academy they are not making him go through the Academy again (not that case had he gone through a different private academy such as those at the colleges). So that might mean that the San Bernadino Sheriff Academy will give you better credentials when you are trying to shop around for a job. If they have a part time program I'd think that is your best bet.

I remember reading that you were in no hurry from some other thread, why don't you just keep working and finish school while you apply around. If not in a hurry no need to put yourself through. If you are worried about your physical shape or background, your not going to ease things by self sponsoring yourself.

Hope that helps....

[Rad Diver]

I did the parttime academy here in FL. We went M-Thurs 6-10 and then on Sat. 7-6. and it was 7 months long.

[hitnrun]

The academy in Sacramento offers this...

http://www.sacsheriff.com/organizati...academy_vs.cfm

[leowonderer]

I am more worried about physical than background, my background is clean beside a traffic citation a few years back. I need to work on my strength before the academy my arobic is great... and run forever, just not sprint,

Thanks for the advice.

[not5150]

I assume that you want a part-time FULL academy. You have several choices in Southern California

San Bernardino Sheriffs Academy - Apply through San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino Valley College Extended Police Academy - Done on campus (I'm not sure if this still exists)
Rio Hondo College - Has an extended academy
El Camino College - I think this is only up to Reserve Level II
Riverside Community College - Non-stress academy and cuts it REAL close on the POST hours requirement. I know a few graduates who had to go through another academy, because RCC skimps on a few areas.

These days the majority of people go through unsponsored. I went through San Bernardino Sheriffs Reserve III, II and I and then to Rio Hondo for Module D. That may still be an option. (Actually they may have killed the Reserve classes, I graduated in 1996).

Where do you live? Going to an academy that is closer will take a LOT of stress away. You DON"T ever want to come late. Your classmates will hate you. Even though the academies are part-time, the time commitment is almost full time. Here are some of the time holes

1. Shining your shoes -- Unless you are smart and use patent leather or that toxic waste evershine stuff.
2. Writing Memos -- Favorite of San Bernardino Sheriff's Academy
3. Learning the vehicle code and penal code (The vehicle code test kills a bunch of people in each academy)
4. Ironing your shirt
5. Shining your brass

Be advised that some departments will put you through their academy, even if you graduate from another academy. LAPD and CHP come to mind.

If you have more specific questions about San Bernardino Sheriffs Academy or Rio Hondo, please feel free to ask here.

[Kenpokev]

Just an additional side note. Folks that self-sponsor and do very well are often recruited prior to completion. Now I can't vouch for the SoCal academies, but I've heard of it happening in NorCal and it happens all the time here in Nevada.

Most every agency here is hiring and quality candidates go quick.

[not5150]

Just an additional side note. Folks that self-sponsor and do very well are often recruited prior to completion. Now I can't vouch for the SoCal academies, but I've heard of it happening in NorCal and it happens all the time here in Nevada.

Most every agency here is hiring and quality candidates go quick.

Kenpokev is correct... although it is a sort of feast or famine cycle. In some classes, a bunch are hired, in others it is a trickle.

Do well in the KDs (Knowledge Domains) and maintain a high academic average. This will give you the best chance to be hired while still in the academy.

[leowonderer]

I live in the Corona area on the west side of Corona. Any of those academies would work. I would rather go to San Bernadino or RCC vs the others because they are closer.

How is PT done in the part time programs? Is it a few times a week or every day before class, etc?

Just curious, would memorizing things like vehicle code, penal, etc be helpful pre academy? I know each departmenthas different radio codes but that can be sorted out after the academy.

I am thinking that if I do not get in the first time I will possibly try for a Early 06' part time academy if I am no to close by that time. I see after talking to quite a few people that it is very hard to get into some of the smaller departments unless you are already through the academy. I have some time, and time is my friend right now physically.

Thanks for your help

[LeoSoon]

You should memorize as much as possible before hand. You will be so far ahead of the other people. The more you can learn now, the more you can focus on the other new info they will be throwing at you.

I've received my conditional job offer from OC Sheriff and with this they gave me a packet of information to start learning now before the academy. It includes, 10 codes, Station Numbers (ie, Station 10 = CHP, Station 43 = Newport, etc), Penal Codes (415, 211, etc), Duties of the Platoon Leaders, Speaches for your equipment (weapon, belt, etc), and so on.

If you are planning on staying in So CA, and you go to an Academy in the area then much of the radio codes will be the same.

Start memorizing. 10 codes a day now, is better than 50 a day if you wait.

[leowonderer]

I have a friend who is conditional with OC too and I got a copy of the packet from him... will start looking at that too... Thanks

[hitnrun]

Memorizing all of the codes isn't that big of a deal. You will have the opportunity to do that in the academy for the 10 months you are there. It would help, but not as much as physical conditioning would. The learning domains aren't all that big of a deal. For example, the Vehicle Code test is something that is pointless to study for ahead of time. There are like 40,000+ VCs and you may use 100 in your whole career. Wait until you find out which ones are going to be on the test, then study those.

FYI, all the Learning Domain tests are based on the booklets you receive in the academy. The questions they ask on a test will ONLY be out of the LD booklets. The most common ones will definately be on there, so study those (22350, 14601, 12500, 23152, 23153, 23109, 23103, 10851,4800, 2818, 2800, etc.) It can be a long list but start with the basics and don't worry too much until you get there! Good Luck!

[MORA Ranger]

2. Writing Memos -- Favorite of San Bernardino Sheriff's Academy

Sorry to interject, I don't have any relevant information to add about CA academies. But what in the world ever happened to good, old-fashioned, in front of your classmates for public punishment, push-ups? What's with the memos? What kind of "girly-man" liberal academy gives memos? :D

[LeoSoon]

Memos, are reports that you write every night for all the screw ups you do in the academy. The idea being that not only will you have to go home, prepare for the next day, study any assigned information and ready your gear, but you will have to write these reports ("memos") to further steal away sleep hours.

OC Sheriff Academy = High Stress and tons of PT. So those good ol' push-ups are there in force. Take an exhausted recruit, throw paper at him and see who can come out at the end.