Phoenix PD

[Sampras2]

Do any of you guys have any insight on Phoenix PD or what it is like to live in Arizona? I am from Minnesota and am considering testing with them.

[gringoscott]

It's HOT in Pheonix. I mean REALLY hot. Like core of the sun hot. Well maybe not that hot. But if you're from anywhere but the desert, you might be hallucinating that you are in the core of the sun as soon as you step off the plane. A good friend of mine moved from San Jose to Pheonix. I only visit in the dead of winter. And it's still hot. Pheonix is a really fun city though.

[RT302]

Technicallly speaking, Phoenix Metro area sits exactly 4.5 miles west of the sun:D
Seriously though, (and I know a bunch of wise-acres are going to throw their comments in) it IS HOT. I just moved from Yuma almost a year ago. Temps. between late March Early April into almost Nov. 100+. Mid-summer temp hangs around 115+. And don't let anyone say, Well, its a dry heat! So is my oven but I don't like sticking my head in there... And if you want to do LE down there, learn to like drinking copious amounts of water. Not just a bottle of water per shift either. I carried a 5 gallon water jug and a cooler with me and had to refill them every day. There are a lot of desert "wildlife" (snakes, scorpions, etc..) that hang out wherever there is desert, which is all of AZ. Sell your lawnmower, and definitely your snowblower. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and after you get used to the heat it is a really nice place. Ocean isn't too far west (S.D.), mountains to the north (Flagstaff), Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) MX to the south.
I liked AZ, the problem was my wife didn't like AZ and I like her more than I liked AZ;)

[Stretch]

Technicallly speaking, Phoenix Metro area sits exactly 4.5 miles west of the sun:D
Seriously though, (and I know a bunch of wise-acres are going to throw their comments in) it IS HOT. I just moved from Yuma almost a year ago. Temps. between late March Early April into almost Nov. 100+. Mid-summer temp hangs around 115+. And don't let anyone say, Well, its a dry heat! So is my oven but I don't like sticking my head in there... And if you want to do LE down there, learn to like drinking copious amounts of water. Not just a bottle of water per shift either. I carried a 5 gallon water jug and a cooler with me and had to refill them every day. There are a lot of desert "wildlife" (snakes, scorpions, etc..) that hang out wherever there is desert, which is all of AZ. Sell your lawnmower, and definitely your snowblower. Phoenix is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and after you get used to the heat it is a really nice place. Ocean isn't too far west (S.D.), mountains to the north (Flagstaff), Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) MX to the south.
I liked AZ, the problem was my wife didn't like AZ and I like her more than I liked AZ;)

You said it perfectly. Phoneix is definitely a fun place to live. The heat is there, but tons of people get used to it. You probably will too.

[Sampras2]

How is the city? What does the community think of the police force?

[Sierra]

Phoenix and the surrounding area is a decent place to live once you get over the weather shock. I live in Mesa, about 40 miles from downtown Phoenix. I do not believe PPD requires you live in city anymore, so there are several communities to choose from with different foci, if you will. We are on the back end of a housing bubble, so you may be able to swing good deals on homes right now.

We have several professional sports teams, along with the Cardinals, if you are into that. Tempe and Scottsdale are good places for nightlife (read clubs). Concerts, etc are available in multiple venues.

Education wise, Arizona State is the primary school, with University of Arizona and Northern Arizona running satellites (sp?) in the area. University of Phoenix runs online and compressed courses in various locations. The county college district is one of the largest in the country, so getting into oone in your area would not be very hard.

PPD has an acceptable rating right now in the community, especially after the 'Serial Shooters' were caught a couple weeks ago in a multi-agency taskforce. Morale is in good shape, I believe. Mesa PD and Tempe PD morale is very low and both agencies are losing personnel due to benefits, pay, leadership, etc. MPD just got raises and a new chief (former LAPD Assistant Chief Gascon) who is shaking things up a bit, so that will help.

This more in line with what you were looking for?

[gringoscott]

Hi Sierra! Heck, with that information, I almost want to pack up and move out there. Haha! Anyway, welcome to RP. Stop by the rap sheet forum and introduce yourself to everyone! :D

[Valor55]

To reiterate the heat comments, I went through my academy on the East Coast with a guy who had been a cop in Phoenix for several years. He spoke of directing traffic in an intersection in the summer. The bottoms of his boots began melting from the heat.

No thanks.

[Apollo8138]

It's HOT in Pheonix. I mean REALLY hot. Like core of the sun hot. Well maybe not that hot. But if you're from anywhere but the desert, you might be hallucinating that you are in the core of the sun as soon as you step off the plane. A good friend of mine moved from San Jose to Pheonix. I only visit in the dead of winter. And it's still hot. Pheonix is a really fun city though.

You ever been to South Florida??? :D In the summer the heat index is in the 90's and with the humidity it has gotten pretty close to 100.

[Stretch]

You ever been to South Florida??? :D In the summer the heat index is in the 90's and with the humidity it has gotten pretty close to 100.

I've lived in Houston, Phoenix, Tuscon, and South Florida. Florida has nothing on 120+ degrees in Arizona.

[Apollo8138]

I've lived in Houston, Phoenix, Tuscon, and South Florida. Florida has nothing on 120+ degrees in Arizona.

I'll take the dry heat over the humidity any day.

[Sampras2]

Do you kind of get used to the heat? What tips do you guys have on staying safe in the heat?

[Sierra]

Obviously, the human body can adapt (or get used to) almost any condition. It is simply a matter of time. That length of time will vary with the individual. Unfortunately, I find most minisodas in a pile of gelatinous ooze (from not having a big enough Pepsi, I guess)

Tips to adjust:
1. Come out after the summer has ended. This gives your body time to adjust to its new environment and for mummification from the arid environment to set in. It also give you a chance to look like a tourist in the middle of winter wearing your shorts and tank tops in the middle of winter while the rest of us freeze in the 25 degree mornings.

2. Make sure your AC works in the summer.

3. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS IN THE HEAT! This does not mean beer or colas. This means water, gatorade, juices, etc.

4. Take it slow and give yourself time to adjust. You will not be able to do everything you did before at the same level. Bear this in mind so you don't hurting yourself.

5. Try to avoid, to the extent possible, strenuous physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. Sometimes, we actually have this type of period between 1159 pm and 1201 am to get stuff done in!

6. Learn to accurately fire a six-shooter revolver one handed at a quick draw on the back of a running horse WITHOUT shooting the horse in the head. I must have gone through fours horses before I learned that part. This will come in handy during pursuits after lawbreakers.

[Sampras2]

Thanks for all of the helpful info. Phoenix is doing a couple midwest testing dates and I am going to do the one in Minnesota. It is kind of nice that I will only have to make two trips down to Phoenix. Take care.

[Sampras2]

Well, I am just about done with the background stage with PPD and was wondering what it is like at ALEA? Do all of the agencies get along in the academy?