How long for reply from application?

[hotshottt06]

I am currently in the academy and have applied to multiple departments. I applied about 2 weeks ago and i was just wondering how long it usually takes before i receive a response. Also, if they show no interest in me do they still respond with a regretful letter or email? Thanks!

[Kimble]

I am currently in the academy and have applied to multiple departments. I applied about 2 weeks ago and i was just wondering how long it usually takes before i receive a response.

A day... a week... a month... who knows? Without knowing: A) what agency you applied to, and B) what steps are being taken by the department behind-the-scenes as far a recruitment, it's anyones' guess.

Also, if they show no interest in me do they still respond with a regretful letter or email? Thanks!

If you aren't selected, it's common practice to send you a message (ex: letter, email if you applied online, etc.) to tell you so. Again, can't speak for every agency out there, but that is common practice.

[Roger Dat]

Our department ALWAYS accepts applications from people with prior police certification or employment regardless of whether we are hiring at the time or not. If they didnt send you a letter stating they are currently looking to fill a vacant position then its possible they are preparing for when a future opening occurs.

[noelchabanel]

Remember, with the bad economy, the high price of everything, and falling property values, a lot of taxpayers have less money and yet have increasing tax bills. Many municipalities are in hiring freezes, or are waiting to finalize the next year's tax assessment, or don't yet have a final budget in place for 2009. They will need to settle that before moving forward with something so expensive as hiring a new person.

I have always gotten a letter either inviting me to an exam, or thanking me for my time. Sometimes I have received it months later, but I always got something eventually.

[hotshottt06]

i talked to one of the instructors at the academy and he said if a department is on a freeze then they wont accept an application at all. would it be bad to call the departments and check on my application?

[noelchabanel]

The one I am working on had planned to hire several people much sooner, but has had to stop the process for now because the town hasn't accepted a budget yet. In other words, I had my application in and was well into the second half of the process before that became an issue.

If they haven't told you anything whatsoever, it can't hurt to call and ask. They may be awaiting funding approval for new hires before setting up a testing date. Or, they may just not want to bother sending out "no" letters if it was an unsolicited application--I personally have never sent one out that wasn't in response to an advertisement. Or maybe it's something else. Call them. As long as you aren't a pest who calls every week or something, it can't hurt to just ask about the status once.

[SPRINGFIELD .45]

Its a LOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG process buddy once you do get a letter, hang in there. Im going to be going through the same thing.

The reason it is so long, is because you are getting hired into a position of authority and trust. They want to make sure you are the right person for the job.



"EXCELLENCE, SERVICE, INTEGRITY" the words on our police cruisers for my city