Need some advice

[Titansfanmjfink]

Ok, this could be a lengthy post, but I need some suggestions/advice.

As many of you know I am a Detention Officer for my hometown PD. This is the department I'd most like to work for. Now, I just took their written Police Test and finished 49th on the list (out of 92 passing, I would have been much higher except I didnt get the bonus % for having completed the academy because I'm on medical extension). I'm not totally happy with this, but they're letting the top 60 do physical assessments. Here is where my predicament comes in. There are 2 reasons that I mayy not be able to pass the fitness. First I have an ankle injury and may not be able to run in time for the test. Secondly, even though I have lost 50 pounds since September, I am still overweight and they require a body fat % of less than 24. I'm fairly certain I'm above that by at least 5% (but I'm going to have one of the officers do a test on me in the next week or so).

The department is about 45 officers strong, and they anticipate hiring two off this list to replace 2 officers that will be retiring in the summer. After those two retirements it does not look good for them hiring anyone for at least 2 years or more (assuming no one retires early or transfers or what have you). Long story short I will likely find a job somewhere else before then. In the end I'd like to come back to this department and spend the majority of my career there. So what would you suggest I do, both while I'm still employed there, and after I likely leave for a Police Officer job somewhere else to increase my chances of getting hired with them.

Obviously working hard there and at any future jobs is necessary, but I'm refering to going the extra mile in some way. One thing I currently do is volunteer my time to help with K9 training which I intend to continue, even after I leave. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[BP348]

Keep going with the test!!! Just do your best. 50 pounds in 4 months is great!!! Make sure they know that.

If it dosen't work out then try with a different department. Most of the time it's easier for a current officer from another department to transfer into a department.

[Titansfanmjfink]

Another thing to add to the story... 5 other people from my academy class took the test with me, all finished in the top 60 (enough to keep them in the process), except one. He finished 61, therefore if I withdraw my name from the eligibility list, he gets added, and he is one of the few (1 of 4 out of 20) people I offered to write letters of reference for to my department.

So more and more I think the signs are pointing me to bow out gracefully now, and let it be known within the department that I'm stepping out to give someone who is currently better qualified a shot.

[greenhead]

Persevere!