Odds of getting hired (amount of applicants vs. how many officers will be hired)

[retdetsgt]

Is there an advantage to someone putting them self through the academy?

As opposed to working where they send you for free and pay you while you're there?????

Kimble is right, it depends on the state and in some cases where in the state. California apparently has private academies, but that means nothing to some larger depts who will send you through their own.

[greg72982]

You can also run into issues with the standards of academies being less than that of the department or state. For example there is now an uncorrected requirement regarding vision to be certified. You dont have to meet that to get into the academy but once you go to be certified you will need LASIK if you don't meet that standard.

Other issues you may run into are with the background. Some departments are going to have much stricter requirements than the academy. Make no mistake self sponsor academies are only after money.