Thinking about becoming a corrections officer

[Sam .223]

Hi, I've been thinking about becoming a cprrections officer. I've done some research into it and the POST is alot shorter then the sworn peace officer POST, so my question is are the same general topics covered and what about physical training, is that the same? Thanks for any input/guidence.

[Crazycomic]

From what my buddy told me, the post test for corrections is more job based. So expect harder job questions. It also depends on the hiring agency.

[Crazycomic]

Good luck BTW with your endeavor.

[micro911]

My daughter became one..in another state. She enjoys her job. Her certificate was issued by the POST of that state.

[farmerjoe]

Some of the POST classes are shortened, based on the difference between working on the streets vs prisons. Law of Arrest & Search and Seizure are ones that come to mind, as both are completely different.

[jdubs71]

Seems like a good time if CDCR plans to hire 4,000 CO's in the next few years. I heard a radio commercial that said they would be hiring a lot.

[tinzoucae]

Law of Arrest & Search and Seizure are ones that come to mind, as both are completely different.

[1CavScout]

Seems like a good time if CDCR plans to hire 4,000 CO's in the next few years. I heard a radio commercial that said they would be hiring a lot.

A friend is headed off to their academy at the end of the month, and then to Pelican Bay. He wanted to be a street cop but was having trouble getting hired. In hindsight with all the political BS going on, he might be better off working for the CDCR.

[ls2monaro]

State corrections officers have always been the red headed step children of law enforcement in CA. If you can't get hired by a pd or so, can't make it on the streets, etc..., then go apply to be a co.

They are not so great at investigating crimes and testifying in court,. Ask any parolee on the street who has been around and they'll inform you how easy it is to purchase drugs and cell phones from cos. Fwiw I've personally arrested more state cos than any other leo and I don't even work in an area where there is a prison.

On the flip side there are many hard working honest guys on the job, and you can make good money with overtime.

Just understand there is a black cloud over the state cos, and if you want to be a "cop" then do yourself a favor and go work for a pd or so. It will save you the grief of two hiring processes, academies, and probationary periods.

[Sam .223]

i'm currently setting up the test date with the county, so i'm at the very beginning of the process, i was wondering what goes on in the academy, is it like a 9-5 job kinda thing, is it half physical fitness and half classes, i guess i'm asking what i should expect, also on a side note, the wife was asking me about being able to buy off roster hand guns, does the LEO excemption apply to corrections also? i think this was more of a uh oh kinda question as there are a few i'd like to buy and now she brought that to my attention.

[BadKitty]

i'm currently setting up the test date with the county, so i'm at the very beginning of the process, i was wondering what goes on in the academy, is it like a 9-5 job kinda thing, is it half physical fitness and half classes, i guess i'm asking what i should expect, also on a side note, the wife was asking me about being able to buy off roster hand guns, does the LEO excemption apply to corrections also? i think this was more of a uh oh kinda question as there are a few i'd like to buy and now she brought that to my attention.

It all depends on to which department you are applying. Different departments have different academies - thus, the academy schedule/program will vary. Also, depending on jurisdiction and your official job title/function, you may or may not be a sworn peace officer. That would affect your LEO exemption status.

[StraightShot04]

When I went through a SO academy a couple years ago, I wondered the same things you are wondering now. Everyone is different so you'll get a lot of different answers on how to prepare yourself. The way I prepared myself before anything even started was to over prepare myself. Better to be over prepared than not enough and fail out. Work out, Run, Study and go whole hearted or not at all. You'll waste the time of others and your own if you don't. If you want it, act like you want it. Don't be that guy that just skates by. The ones that did that ended up failing out or not getting picked up. Good luck.

[cocobean20]

What corrections dept. are you applying for? Local or state? There are many local corrections depts. that are not considered peace officers and will not grant you LEO standing. If you go state you'll be a peace officer while on duty and grant you the pro sledge to carry off duty as well.

[cocobean20]

What corrections dept. are you applying for? Local or state? There are many local corrections depts. that are not considered peace officers and will not grant you LEO standing. When you take your POST it will be based on street PD material not correctional/prison material.

[Sam .223]

i'm in Riverside Co. thats where i'll be testing and and attending.