Police Academy... What Do You Think...

[Lukin]

Alright I want to know what you guys think about this:

I have a friend who was in the police academy in Ohio. Before, he spent four years in the Marine Corp, did two tours. Okay, he was name squad leader in his police academy class, never missed a day of class/DT/PT and etc... During his time in the academy, he certified in taser, Alcohol detection, weapons, and etc. I mean this kid, he was the most qualify to be a cop in this class! Everyone in the class looked up to him for advice and whatnot. When they took their PT assessment, he passed everything... But when it came down to the final PT... He missed his 1 1/2 mile run by a few seconds, now he has to take the whole course all over again just because of a few seconds missed.
I've been thinking, should a few seconds missed on a run really determine your career as a cop? I mean he can tell you the ins and outs of police work like no other, not to make it sound typical.. But he even looks like a cop (LOL). I understand that you either pass or fail, but wouldn't it be less time consuming and more understandable if you just take the PT test over instead of going through the whole class room training. Like he said, when he has to go back to the academy, all he's going to be doing is sit in class because he already knows everything being taught.

What are your thoughts?

[Joeyd6]

Standards are established for a reason and I don't believe in exceptions.

I spent $1000 processing with an agency during an out of towners weeked. During our run another guy fell near the stop/start line. In full view of the cops running it, I stopped, helped the guy up and assisted him to the cop running it as he was injured. I was "out of it" for a good 30-45 seconds and then continued on. I falied the run...12:55 when the limit was 12:51. Guess who went home? ME! I did not whine or complain. It was my best with the circumstances present and that was it. And by the way, thank you Baltimore PD for not bending the rules!

[Citicop]

The standard is the standard for a reason.

If we let someone who was two seconds slow slide through... why not thirty seconds? Why not ninety?

When I am on the street in a fight for my life, I don't want someone who got pencil whipped through the training and was allowed to "slide by" because he's a nice guy backing me up. I want the guy who proved that he met the standard set and has what it takes to do this job.

Here's something no one knows about me here:

I failed my final PT run the first time I took it. I passed a makeup run the next day and graduated with my class.

But I never asked for nor wanted a "break" on the standard. Had I not been able to pass, I would have worked until I could, and if that meant re-doing some or all of the Academy, I would have gritted my teeth and done it.

If I'm looking at potential applicants, a guy who did well in everything else but failed his run by a few seconds, re-took the academy, and finished his PT run near the front of the class the second time would be near the top of my list to hire. Perseverance is a great quality.

-Citicop.

[retdetsgt]

My academy was a bit different. We didn't have PT, you had to be in shape at the start. In order to be hired, you had to do the "run and puke", plus a number of other physical qualifications. Their philosophy is that it's a waste of time to spend making you run, etc. while in the academy to get you into shape because you aren't likely to continue the regimen. Therefore we wanted people in tip top shape on day one, not spend our money getting you there. Your friend probably wouldn't have had to waste his time attending if he couldn't make the standard before even being considered.

That being said, what kind of "grace period" should he get? Three seconds, 15 seconds, 20 minutes? You can either do it or not, no department can bend any rules for one person or they open a Pandora's box of having to bend it for others in different areas of testing, like the written....

[G35 Mass]

I'll start off by telling you that your friend doesn't "already know everything being taught".

Now onto his PT issues. How is it that he went into the academy passing the PT standards, but wasn't able to pass them upon graduation? How is that even possible?

Standards are standards. If they wanted to standard to be 12:01 not 12:00, that's what they'd make it.

[Cat_Doc]

Like he said, when he has to go back to the academy, all he's going to be doing is sit in class because he already knows everything being taught.

What are your thoughts?

Maybe he should be the instructor then?

I've been doing this job over thirty years and I still learn new things almost every day. It truly is amazing that your friend already knows everything.

[greg72982]

Maybe he should be the instructor then?

I've been doing this job over thirty years and I still learn new things almost every day. It truly is amazing that your friend already knows everything.

Yep. I say the state should bypass the academy and certify him right now.

[retdetsgt]

Yep. I say the state should bypass the academy and certify him right now.

Or maybe find an on line academy. I wonder when someone will think of that?

[SANE-A30]

Or maybe find an on line academy. I wonder when someone will think of that?

. That's a scary thought..;). Obviously not a LEO but I agree it's all about safety and then some the qualifications are very extremely important a few seconds could even save your life just my thoughts...

[greg72982]

The bottom line is you have to draw the line somewhere. If you are going to give a 3 second cushion then you might as well make that the limit for everyone.

[MikeG]

Or maybe find an on line academy. I wonder when someone will think of that?

I think I saw Jackie Chan use a keyboard and mouse in a DT scenario once.

[mcsap]

So with ALL of this background and the fact that he was in SUPERB physical condition and he STILL failed a 1.5 mile run ? Obviously he WSANT in as good a shape as he once was. He spent more time on the couch with a bag of chips and a 3 liter bottle of coke then he did getting back into shape.

I am 50 and did the 1.5 mile run last night in 23 seconds FASTER than what the 20-29 year olds are required to do it in.

Apparently your friend got lazy and tried to slide by. We don't want or need people like this. If you KNOW that you have a standard to meet for a job that you WANT...then make sure that you are prepared. His failure to do this means he didn't really try.

Maybe this time around he will get serious.