Got a conditional offer today

[tbk]

First..thanks to you all for all the advice I received back in February, when I was considering applying.

Now, I got a conditional offer, which really excited me, until I read it. Still really excited, but realistic.

Conditioned on: passing poly, medical and psych, not doing something now that DQ's me, and on the Department offering enough jobs to reach me on the eligibility list.

So, more of an invitation to continue than a job offer, but still not a "get lost stoner/lawyer" letter.

Thanks again.

[Kimble]

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly what you can expect of a conditional offer letter regardless of the agency. Not a bad thing, but not the end of the road, either. Good luck.

[retdetsgt]

That means they're willing to spend money on really testing you. That's a good thing! Good luck.

[tbk]

So I should probably take my house off the market for now?

[tbk]

Headed out west tomorrow for testing. Over the course of 3 days, I have my Psych test, Oral board, Poly, Background Interview, Medical and Psych consult.

Nervous as heck.

[G35 Mass]

Good luck, and start running. You can never be in "good enough" physical shape for the academy....

[tbk]

I passed everything. the poly was unpleasant, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The worst part was actually the spirometry test (take a deep breath, blow out quick and forcefully, and then keep blowing out for 6 seconds into a tube). It adjusts for age, height and weight, but not for flatlanders going up to 6000 feet.

the funniest part was the MMPI-2 and PF16. After 567 "feelings" questions on the MMPI-2 and 170 "feelings" questions on the PF16, the last 10 questions on the PF16 are logic based. Which word does not belong: Cat, Sun, Near? Really? After nearly 3 hours of feelings, you throw logic at me?

So far my biggest issue with moving on seems to be the question of "why?", and the persception that this is a mid-life crisis. Why leave a cushy 9-5, why take a 50% pay cut, why now? I keep repeating the answer, that I have always wanted to be an officer, but always pushed it off until tomorrow due to family constraints, but at 42 there are not that many tomorrows left to do this (there are many tomorrows left in my life), and that if I don't try now, I will always wonder "what if?"

My BI seems to understand, but the staff above him seem to wonder. I just hope it is not a mentality of "he would be a good cop, but we don't want to waste a slot on a 42 yo.", especially when the 42 yo tested in the top 20% on the physical.

[retdetsgt]

My BI seems to understand, but the staff above him seem to wonder. I just hope it is not a mentality of "he would be a good cop, but we don't want to waste a slot on a 42 yo.", especially when the 42 yo tested in the top 20% on the physical.

I think it's more, does he have some agenda that makes him want to take a pay cut, etc. to become a cop? We do get people now and then who have a bit of a chip on their shoulder and want to "show the world". It's usually not people your age though, but it does cross minds now and then. I've worked around people with something to prove to themselves, mostly and they aren't good for the public or us.

Edit. I'm certainly making no accusations towards you. It's just another answer to your concern about their possible hesitation.

[mcsap]

You will have a nice advantage on the street because people will THINK you are the 20 yr veteran simply because of your age. The 22 yr old in the class with you will not have that. However, when someone begins to talk to you they may well figure out that you aren't quite the old-timer that you look like.

Regardless , use it to your advantage. Your years of life experience will still be a valuable asset.

[Jim1348]

.....the funniest part was the MMPI-2.....

Well:

-Are you fascinated by fire?

-Do you like tall women?

-Is your stool black and tarry looking?

[greg72982]

You will have a nice advantage on the street because people will THINK you are the 20 yr veteran simply because of your age. The 22 yr old in the class with you will not have that. However, when someone begins to talk to you they may well figure out that you aren't quite the old-timer that you look like.

Regardless , use it to your advantage. Your years of life experience will still be a valuable asset.

Yeah I'm 29 but look 21. People always ask if I'm new and it irritates me. Not that I've seen it and done it all but I almost feel insulted because I've at least done something in the past 5+ years.

[tbk]

Well:

-Are you fascinated by fire?

-Do you like tall women?

-Is your stool black and tarry looking?

no, like all women, not since birth.

and:

I do like fixing door latches, I would like to be a forest ranger, I do not want to be a scientist and my father (and mother) are good people.


no agenda, no chip, not looking forward to a pay cut (but with the reduced cost of living in CO, I can swing it). I have not spent time on the street as an officer, but I have spent lots of time with the same type of people in lockups, in their homes, with them at detox facilities, at DCF (DCYS) etc., so I have some experience.

I just want to be an officer.

Edit: best moment of the testing:

I identify all my tattoos (including the Notre Dame Fighting Irishman on my hip)to the MA that is taking my medical history, and again to the doctor doing the physical ( a lovely, 60ish woman). The exam goes on, and at the end, she says the only two exams left are the inguinal hernia and genital check. She sits down on a stool, gloves up, has me stand in front of her, pulls down my boxers and says:

"Oh, there's your little Irish guy."

I had nothing to respond with. I almost said "hurtful", but wasn't sure how she would take it.

[greg72982]

no, like all women, not since birth.

Even these ladies?

[tbk]

Even these ladies?

I'm sure they have wonderful personalities.