Alternate Route

[ColtPistols]

I'm currently applying and testing for one of NJ alternate route programs in order to get hired by a police department. I heard that about 98% of the alternate route candidates get hired within a year of graduating from the police academy. The only problem is they only accept like 5% or so of the applicants for the positions in the academy. I'll see if I'm one of them, however while I wait, does anyone know if there are any other alternate route programs in other states like PA, NH, NY or any other north eastern states? And if so, do the graduates from these academies have as high of a graduate to hire ratio?

[DeltaV]

What is "alternate route?" Does it mean you apply and pay your own way through the police academy without being pre-hired by an agency? If so, that's pretty commonplace down here. If it's as difficult to get into an "alternate route" academy as you say it is, you really shouldn't have much problem finding a job with an agency that doesn't want to pay to send recruits through an academy or wants a new officer now instead of in six months.

The problems start to arise when virtually anyone is allowed into the academy. In many Florida academies, which are run by the community college system, if you can legally own a firearm then you can go through the police academy. Lots of the people who put themselves through the academy are unqualified or have serious background issues and never get hired. The ones who have strong qualifications and good backgrounds usually don't have too much trouble picking up a job within six months to a year after graduation.

[mcsap]

Pa does allow you to put yourself through the municipal police academy. The length of the course is 5 months and the cost is over 3 grand. PLUS , you have to maintain your own health insurance.


Why not come to York County ( 95 miles west of Philly) and take our 11 department joint consortium testing. If hired, WE will send you to the academt and PAY you to go .

www.yorkpolicejobs.org

Deadline for apps is march 3 and the test ( written only) will be given on march 7 and 8. Must be 21 , HS grad ,decent background and in decent shape. Do not need a degree or any experience.

[JakeLock]

The problems start to arise when virtually anyone is allowed into the academy. In many Florida academies, which are run by the community college system, if you can legally own a firearm then you can go through the police academy. Lots of the people who put themselves through the academy are unqualified or have serious background issues and never get hired. The ones who have strong qualifications and good backgrounds usually don't have too much trouble picking up a job within six months to a year after graduation.

That's why I'm glad the private academy here has very strict guidelines when it comes to enrollment. If I had applied to the private academy at the same time I'd applied to the PD I would've been denied. MY driving record wasn't totally clean at the time. It is also harder to get through the private academy than it is to go through the State one, test scores are higher.

You have to really want the job if you're willing to pay for it yourself. The school has no problem kicking you out if you screw up.

The sad part, the percentage of people still in LE who graduated from the private academy is higher than from the State academy.

[ColtPistols]

mcsap, do you know on the application from York if the question "have you ever been convicted of a crime" includes tickets?
I heard the recruiters from NYPD tell me that traffic infractions are different from crimes and shouldn't be mentioned in that slot. Others tell me if it's against the law it's still a crime. I have no clue. I have no moving violations, just seat belt and expired registration. Also I had a ticket four years ago from a game warden in Wisconsin. is that a crime either? I have no problem admitting it to them if they ask, but I don't wanna look like an idiot when I fill it in when they didn't want to know that. Especially if this job is so competitive they might disqualify me for including it unnecessarily.

[xynder777]

mcsap, do you know on the application from York if the question "have you ever been convicted of a crime" includes tickets?
I heard the recruiters from NYPD tell me that traffic infractions are different from crimes and shouldn't be mentioned in that slot. Others tell me if it's against the law it's still a crime. I have no clue. I have no moving violations, just seat belt and expired registration. Also I had a ticket four years ago from a game warden in Wisconsin. is that a crime either? I have no problem admitting it to them if they ask, but I don't wanna look like an idiot when I fill it in when they didn't want to know that. Especially if this job is so competitive they might disqualify me for including it unnecessarily.

i'd just list it and let the BI disregard it himself

[Drew27k9]

mcsap, do you know on the application from York if the question "have you ever been convicted of a crime" includes tickets?
I heard the recruiters from NYPD tell me that traffic infractions are different from crimes and shouldn't be mentioned in that slot. Others tell me if it's against the law it's still a crime.

I believe all the applications around this area (PA.) have two separate sections. One for arrests and another one for traffic citations.

[dinarguy]

Pa does allow you to put yourself through the municipal police academy. The length of the course is 5 months and the cost is over 3 grand. PLUS , you have to maintain your own health insurance.


Why not come to York County ( 95 miles west of Philly) and take our 11 department joint consortium testing. If hired, WE will send you to the academt and PAY you to go .

www.yorkpolicejobs.org

Deadline for apps is march 3 and the test ( written only) will be given on march 7 and 8. Must be 21 , HS grad ,decent background and in decent shape. Do not need a degree or any experience.

Do you think someone should apply with no military background? Everyone that I know nowadays is being hired with previous military experience.

And wow you are really close to me :D

[mcsap]

The app only asks about Misdemeanors and Felonies.

http://www.yapd.org/Consort08TestPacket.pdf

If you get farther in the app process, they will then ask.