Just found out the schedule for my academy.

[ngcsubutterbar]

I've heard pro and con arguments from it. It's not neccesary to do so and again I have no numbers of department sponsored folk to compare in order to see how common or uncommon it is.

competitive to get hired after the academy is done maybe, but luckily the state has a program that will pay for the academy if you self-sponsor. It was a pretty recent addition as far as programs go, and I'm assuming they did it to help departments so they 'did not' have to pay for training, and have the people leave them within a year or so to go elsewhere.


pro- department doesn't have to pay for it, especially since the state is in a 'budget crisis'
con- you don't actually have a job.

[cntryboy0531]

is it that competitive that you have to pay your own way for an academy?? or is that the way its done in your state? i guess im just used to the NYC way of getting hired and then get paid to complete the academy lol

I'm not sure of the numbers of people that are sponsored vs. who isn't. But around here if you have your certification prior, I've been told your one step ahead in hiring compared to those who dont. I know there are quite a few Depts. around here that will re-imburse you for tuition/equipment you bought during the academy if you self sponsor and they are the first to hire you. I'm "guessing" their mentality to it is if a recruit is willing to spend $2500-$3500 (mine is $2500 total) to put theirself through the academy, their pretty dedicated to make this a career. I personally wouldn't think that many people would spend that much money for nothing. :D

[George]

The Lake Ozark Police Department quit putting people through the acadamy after two people they put through, quit on them. So you do not get much of a choice here. lol

[DeltaV]

I'm not sure what the rules and regs are when it comes to re-testing to keep your certification though.

If you don't have a job within four years of your academy START date, you have to do it all over again.

[cntryboy0531]

If you don't have a job within four years of your academy START date, you have to do it all over again.

eesh, I hope I'm hired before then. It would be a pain to go through it again and shell out the dough twice. Hopefully one of my two depts I have applications in with call me soon. :D

[DeltaV]

I'm "guessing" their mentality to it is if a recruit is willing to spend $2500-$3500 (mine is $2500 total) to put theirself through the academy, their pretty dedicated to make this a career. I personally wouldn't think that many people would spend that much money for nothing. :D

The problem is that all the community college cares about is getting your money. For that reason, they don't do a background check that is anywhere near as in-depth as the one done by agencies. I can honestly say that about half of my academy class (there were 28 of us) probably will never get a job in LE. Whether it be because of prior drug use, credit history, driving record, lack of life experience, psychological profile or other reasons, just putting yourself through the academy doesn't mean you'll get a job. We had a couple guys in our class who were 19 and right out of high school. Now why would a department hire a 19 year old with no life experience over someone with military experience or a college degree?

The police academy system here in Florida really makes me mad sometimes. There are DEFINITELY people in police academies who have no business being there and will never work in this profession. Personally, I think that everyone should be pre-hired before being allowed to go to an academy.

[Valor55]

The police academy system here in Florida really makes me mad sometimes. There are DEFINITELY people in police academies who have no business being there and will never work in this profession. Personally, I think that everyone should be pre-hired before being allowed to go to an academy.

This is what I don't like about the pay yourself through the system thing. There are people out there who have no business learning our tactics and policies that easily.

[cntryboy0531]

This is what I don't like about the pay yourself through the system thing. There are people out there who have no business learning our tactics and policies that easily.

I honestly wish I could be hired prior to starting the academy. But I haven't found that many that are willing to do that around here. I see where you both are coming from.

[NyPd Sgt ALU]

This is what I don't like about the pay yourself through the system thing. There are people out there who have no business learning our tactics and policies that easily.

excellent point

[ngcsubutterbar]

while it's not a detailed BI, the state does do a history check before it lets applicants in. They do the same check reguardless if the agency sends it's recruits or they're pre-service.

[Odin]

I'm in the evening academy and it's 9 months. Mon-Thurs 1830-2230 and 1 Sat per month (all day). It's 640 hours. Texas.

[ngcsubutterbar]

I'm in the evening academy and it's 9 months. Mon-Thurs 1830-2230 and 1 Sat per month (all day). It's 640 hours. Texas.

oww. good luck with that. Ours is usually much more spread out, but thankfully me and some other people were able to lobby to get it done as quickly as possible.

[Odin]

oww. good luck with that. Ours is usually much more spread out, but thankfully me and some other people were able to lobby to get it done as quickly as possible.

It's tough with a 50+ hour per week day job and the academy, but it's only 9 months. I'd prefer a little less homework though. They've been giving homework that is 40-100 pages of handwritten work each week, so the weekends are usually spent doing homework.