want to get back in

[erleo]

I left LE going on 15 years ago after wife took a job in Colorado and I ended up working corporate world myself. I came from Fla with 12 years in LE. Im interested in getting back into LE, but would I have go through the academy from scratch again. I was an FTO, SWAT and IC for a number of those 12 years.

[retdetsgt]

I left LE going on 15 years ago after wife took a job in Colorado and I ended up working corporate world myself. I came from Fla with 12 years in LE. Im interested in getting back into LE, but would I have go through the academy from scratch again. I was an FTO, SWAT and IC for a number of those 12 years.

I don't know about other states, but in Oregon if you've been out for more than 5 years, you have to do the full 9 yards. If more than a year, but less more than 2 years, you can do an abbreviated academy though, same as any officer coming from another state even if he just quit..

[Joeyd6]

Good luck!

[Kimble]

With 15 years having gone by I find it very likely that you would have to go through a full academy. I can't speak for every state, but that would be required in each state where I'm familiar with their state certificate standards (I'd be willing to bet, though, this is true for all 50 states with the amount of time that's lapsed for you).

It sucks (I know, I've been through 4 full academies myself), but that's very likely the reality.

[mcsap]

The changes in 15 years have been so great that FTO wont be enough. You need to start from scratch.

[marinepilot]

In FL you're over the limit to do a refresher academy by almost double, After 8 years out of the field you have to do a full length academy.

[erleo]

I suspect you guys are on the money. Thanks for your replies. I've done the private thing, but miss the streets. If I have to go back through I will. Use to be always on the depths dime but now I most likely have to put myself through.

[MikeG]

I suspect you guys are on the money. Thanks for your replies. I've done the private thing, but miss the streets. If I have to go back through I will. Use to be always on the depths dime but now I most likely have to put myself through.

Not a LEO but check out Arizona. I can't find anything on paper that says you couldn't get a waiver. You would need to prove your previous coursework/academy was equivalent to an Arizona academy and you'd have to find a department to hire you and sponsor waiver (I'd guess that's the hard part given the current climate). Also, I don't know whether it's "rubber stamp" if you meet requirements or if they actually reject on case by case basis and if time away from the job was part of that. The only thing in the rules time appears to be time based appears to be whether you would need to complete all the sections of the Academies "Comprehensive Final Exam" (you would have to take the whole test). I believe this is the same process that Arizona agencies use to hire out of state applicants.

AZPOST - CERTIFICATION WAIVER
TITLE 13. PUBLIC SAFETY

D. Waiver of required training. A person may apply to the Board for a waiver of required training if the person's certified status is lapsed or the person has functioned in the capacity of a peace officer in another state or for a federal law enforcement agency. The Board shall grant a complete or partial waiver of required training if the Board determines that the best interests of the law enforcement profession are served, the public welfare and safety are not jeopardized, and:

1. The appointing agency submits to the Board written verification of the person's previous experience and training on a form prescribed by the Board;

2. The person meets the minimum qualifications listed in R13-4-105;

3. The person complies with the requirements of R13-4-103(E)(1);

4. The appointing agency complies with the requirements of R13-4-106(C);

5. The person successfully completes an examination measuring the person's comprehension of the full-authority peace officer basic training course as follows:

a. If during the last three years, the person has at least two years of experience as a peace officer in another state or for a federal law enforcement agency, and the person submits to the Board basic training and in-service training records that the Board determines demonstrate substantial comparability to Arizona's full-authority peace officer basic training course, the person shall pass the portions of the CFE covering legal and liability issues specific to Arizona;

b. If the person's certification is lapsed, the person shall pass all blocks of the CFE; or

c. If the person's out-of-state or federal law enforcement experience does not meet the criterion in subsection (D)(5)(a), but the Board determines that the person's basic training and in-service training records demonstrate substantial comparability to Arizona's full-authority peace officer basic training course, the person shall pass all blocks of the CFE; and

6. In addition to the examination required under subsection (D)(5), the person satisfactorily performs the practical demonstrations of proficiency in physical conditioning, vehicle operations, pursuit operations, and firearms, including firearms qualifications, as required under R13-4-116(E)(1).

[ChesCopPodz]

Every department in Colorado that accepts laterals would make you go through the academy again. Too many years since you were in. The max distance since the last LE job I saw when looking in CO was 3 years. My department required 2 years or less since last wearing the badge.