how long...

[jd1983]

i applied to the local PD here (large city, about 700 officers) and went through all the testing already (written, physical, poly, psych.) but it has been some time since ive heard anything. i originally applied in january, and the tests came and went fairly quickly, but the last test i took was the psych eval about 2 months ago. i havent heard anything since, and all that is left is a physical exam, then hopefully a job offer. what ive heard from some officers that i know is that the next academy should start around august/september. should i email my investigator and see whats up or just sit back and wait for a call and follow the "no news is good news" idea? if the academy is starting around that time, when should i expect a final job offer?

[Sullio]

i applied to the local PD here (large city, about 700 officers) and went through all the testing already (written, physical, poly, psych.) but it has been some time since ive heard anything. i originally applied in january, and the tests came and went fairly quickly, but the last test i took was the psych eval about 2 months ago. i havent heard anything since, and all that is left is a physical exam, then hopefully a job offer. what ive heard from some officers that i know is that the next academy should start around august/september. should i email my investigator and see whats up or just sit back and wait for a call and follow the "no news is good news" idea? if the academy is starting around that time, when should i expect a final job offer?

For the dept. I'm applying to, which is much larger, they give you a timeline of the entire process, so I can't say for certain. For example, I know that if I pass every phase of the process, then I'll start the academy on October 15th. But it's a bit different since my department is much larger. There's certainly no harm in calling their HR department and asking though.

[Sierra]

It probably would not hurt to touch base and see how things are going. A heads up, however. Background investigations tend to be very time consuming, especially if there are many applicants. You may also want to consider asking your references if they have heard from the department. It could be the agency is waiting to get the results back before advancing you.

[jd1983]

the department has already contacted all my references, as early as 2-3 months ago. could the background just be that time consuming or could they just be waiting until it is closer to the actual start date of the academy? i was never given an exact timeline, just the order of all the tests.

[Sierra]

the department has already contacted all my references, as early as 2-3 months ago. could the background just be that time consuming ...

Yes.

[evans1010]

Before I got my conditional with a department of about 400, I had considered myself out of the running twice. Then all of the sudden I would just get a call out of no where calling me for the next step. Just never give up until the academy starts and you're not in it. Their process started in November and I got the call about a month ago.
Nick

[jman077]

Before I got my conditional with a department of about 400, I had considered myself out of the running twice. Then all of the sudden I would just get a call out of no where calling me for the next step. Just never give up until the academy starts and you're not in it. Their process started in November and I got the call about a month ago.
Nick

I agree with Nick. I have been going through the same thing. It is just a waiting game. I do however keep contact with my BI, and at the end of the call I usually ask him if it's alright to keep in touch with him. That way it doesn't feel like a burden when I call, but just as though I am on top of things. Good luck!