What are the requirements at LETC ?

[USMC26]

I am currently a DC cop looking to slow down a little. I had a pannel interview with the VA police...I know LETC is only 5 weeks compared to the 26 week academy I attendened with the DC police. I was woundering what the PT test consisted of and what is passing ? How many tests do you take at the course?

[Joeyd6]

I am currently a DC cop looking to slow down a little. I had a pannel interview with the VA police...I know LETC is only 5 weeks compared to the 26 week academy I attendened with the DC police. I was woundering what the PT test consisted of and what is passing ? How many tests do you take at the course?

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4) VA Police is not slowing down " a little" copared to the DC Police. More security based than police work. If you want to slow down and still have fun, try the Capital Police or USSS UD. They are a little more active.

5) I have not been through uniform class at FLETC but been there for other stuff. FLETC is not hard if you go there in decent shape, listen in class and study. They set you up on a path where you have two choices: study and pass or screw around and fail.

[USMC26]

Thanks for the info but I am fully aware of Capital and the Unifrom Secret Service. My current partner spent two years at Capital and hated it. The Unifrom Secret service has been working so much maditory OT that they have no family life. I heard it directly from them.

[vacop4274]

Well LETC's requirements are not too hard at all actually. It consists of a 1 mile run, sit ups and puch ups. It is also dependant on your age so I couldn't be more specific for ya sorry. For me (in my 30's) it was 1 mile within 13 minutes and some change (easily done in under 10), 24 push ups and 20+ sit ups.

Depending on your station, it may or may not be slow and it may or may not be more geared towards security functions. It isnt a terrible gig but I feel fortunate in that we do police work where I am and are not "guards" in any way!!!! But this is not the general rule across the board.

LETC is also expanding to 8 to 10 weeks sometime coming up here!!!!!

[Diggy]

What is LETC and VA Police? I've never heard of them that I can remember.

[Kimble]

What is LETC and VA Police? I've never heard of them that I can remember.

VA Police are the police force for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). LETC is the VA Police's Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC).

[Diggy]

Thanks, I guess I brain farted on VA Police, but had no idea they had thier own training center.

[vacop4274]

Yeah the VA has it's own training center. Various specialty courses are offered (DT/Baton, Detectives Course, Firearms as well as the Basic Police Academy). Kinda fun to be there though, can visit places like the Electric Cowboy and the Flying Saucer!!!!!! Not that I ever did that:eek:

[Piggy]

You take quite a few tests at the course, I'd say about one a week if it's still the same. They were fairly difficult tests too if I remember correctly. At the time I went through you had to maintain a percentage of C or better. It was kind of interesting, after a test you would have an instructor come in a call a few students out. That was the last we would ever see of them unless we met them in the hall with their suitcase. We had one student in our class who was going through for the second time. You will have to study for sure, unless the course has changed.

PT is like VA cop said.

One thing to keep in mind is what he said also regarding slowing down. Some duty stations are very, very busy. There are some that have mosques on the property, lakes, highways, sensitive research labs, all sorts of stuff. Other's you'll be bored out of your mind. If you are looking to slow down, you'll want to shop around and talk to the guys already working at the duty station. The pay is not good, they don't get paid nearly enough. I was a GS-06 for a lifetime. For me though, I used it as a stepping stone. I do miss the work though and the friends on I had on shift. We stayed busy and had a great time.

[FotoTomas]

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock AR is a unifying right of passage to all who wear the VA Police Blue Uniform. It is a rather simple affair as others have mentioned. In my case I found the tests to be a breeze and it all was a repeat from previous LE schools. The firearms week was fun but they start you off as if you have never fired a pistol in your life. This after mandating that the local firearms instructors give you some quality trigger time prior to going to Little Rock.

You might be issued a Beretta 92D Centurion 9mm DAO with magazine disconnect or a SIG 229R DAK in 9mm. Seems the VA has adopted the SIG as the new duty pistol but the Beretta will remain in service for many. My station is transitioning to the SIG this month.

I hope you enjoy the Golden Corral as you will be spending a LOT of time there for evening meals. Also the night life in central Arkansas is something you will remember forever. :D

The PT standards are simple as mentioned before. I remember my age 40 to 49 minimums were 21 Push ups in 2 minutes and 28 Situps in two minutes with a one mile run of 14 minutes and 15 seconds. I need to check the list however as that was some time ago and I might be a little off.

The defensive tactics classes were interesting and I have heard changes have come down in several classes since my Basic course many years ago.

It can be a slow job depending on the station. Are you planning to stay in the DC area? I hear that the Washington VAMC is a busy place compared to many. That and the VA Central Office is there in the district as well. Lots of suits to keep your nose clean for.

I like my VA job and have been happy with it for the last 8 years BUT it is NOT a career field I would recommend for someone not willing to accept a very reduced LE function and a much more developed physical security presence. We are the police but in many ways we keep our bullet in our shirt pocket.