Thinking about becoming a corrections officer

[MarineJohn]

Why the hell would he leave the CHP academy half way through to start the CDCR academy?????? Did he really want to be a prison guard, more than a highway patrolman? That really boggles the mind. That's like leaving the NFL to go play college ball, or the Canadian League. I've never heard of anyone doing such a thing. Now, leaving CDCR employment and starting at a police, or sheriff's academy happens all the time. Never the other way around.

When I went through the academy (CDC, as it wasn't CDCR back then) in early '98 there were at least 4 guys I know of that were street cops and quit their departments to join and attend my academy class. Since then I have have worked with al least a dozen others that left working the streets to come to CDC and have never gone back.

Stay safe,
John

[retired]

just passed the PAT, barely thanks to runners knee in both knees. think its time to see a doctor, i had to run the 1.5 miles in knee braces which dramatically effected my running, the humidity didn't help either. I'm happy that test is passed though and onto the back ground packet and investigation.

I am surprised they let you do the run wearing braces as that would bring up questions of medical issues. If they do hire you, knowing you have medical problems, I would think that would mean they are now accepting any responsibility for any knee problems you have. I could be incorrect, but I know it was so for my prior dept. when I hired on per my WC atty. I didn't have any, but the discussion came up years later with him.

You seem to have your heart set working for a correctional institution and you may have already considered the following, but if not, I offer this: Most inmates in the county jails are fighting their cases and generally don't want to pick up another one by attacking the staff. Those in the prisons are doing time and some are doing multiple life sentences or ones of 100+ years. They have little to lose if they kill a staff member. What's going to happen, another 100+ year sentence? The death sentence? They were going to die in the prison anyway, so it really doesn't mean much. Yes, I realize they can get the SHU and no visits, but some of them really don't give a damn. What they will get is "juice" with the other inmates for killing a staff member.

I tip my hat to anyone working corrections, but you couldn't pay me enough money to make me choose that career. I took a tour of Chino Prison shortly after moving to Chino Hills in 1979. I had been a LASD deputy for 3yrs. and was at MCJ. The officer and I were on the yard and suddenly 6-7 gangbanger inmates began walking toward us. One evidently knew me from CJ because he said, "What are you doing here Los Angeles County Deputy." He didn't have his hand out to shake either. I whispered to the officer to get me the hell out of there asap as I really didn't want to get shanked. Thankfully we were near the gate and made it out ok. Scared the you know what out of me.

Something to think about. Good luck and stay safe no matter you finally end up.

[cuchillo negro]

When I went through the academy (CDC, as it wasn't CDCR back then) in early '98 there were at least 4 guys I know of that were street cops and quit their departments to join and attend my academy class. Since then I have have worked with al least a dozen others that left working the streets to come to CDC and have never gone back.

Stay safe,
John

I was opposite....... I left CDC in 98 to go work for the sheriff's department. I could not see me working in CDC for 30 years. However if I would have gotten an opportunity to go to Paroles I would have stayed.

By working CDC I did learn a lot that helped me on the streets especially when dealing with parolees or ex-cons.

[hurley842002]

Look into the feds also. We're always hiring here in Victorville.

Trying to talk the wife into transferring out there in the next year or two. May have to send you a PM with some questions.

[jonathan50bmg]

CDCR has has many career and promotional opportunities if you want them. The sky is the limit with this agency. It's all up to you!!

[esy]

Be patient with CDCR's background process, a lot of the people that I know that were getting into it recently took forever to start their respective academies. It took at least a year to get a start date. It's funny that they say they need like a million COs (I'm being facetious), but their background process is super slow.

[esy]

just passed the PAT, barely thanks to runners knee in both knees. think its time to see a doctor, i had to run the 1.5 miles in knee braces which dramatically effected my running, the humidity didn't help either. I'm happy that test is passed though and onto the back ground packet and investigation.

CDCR requires a 1.5 mile run now? I guess that's a good thing because their PAT before was a joke.

[cuchillo negro]

CDCR requires a 1.5 mile run now? I guess that's a good thing because their PAT before was a joke.

If a person can't do it in 12 minutes or under they are out of shape. When I went in we had very fat people pass so it was a joke of an academy and the run was not a real test. Of course I just got out of the Corps so I was in good shape.

[BadKitty]

Be patient with CDCR's background process, a lot of the people that I know that were getting into it recently took forever to start their respective academies. It took at least a year to get a start date. It's funny that they say they need like a million COs (I'm being facetious), but their background process is super slow.

Yeah but, according to CDCR, they had to stop accepting applications about a month ago. They originally said they would need 7,000 officers and they ended up receiving 115,000 applications! That would explain the wait times.

Here is the official statement you get when you click on the "Apply Now" button: http://www.insidecdcr.ca.gov/2015/09...ess-continues/

[BoJackUSMC]

You might have better chance of getting hired if you tell them you are open to any location. They used to speed up your process if you check the open location box.

[darthmars]

Pretty sure he's not going to CDC as his original posts say RSO as a CD

[dael]

CDCR requires a 1.5 mile run now? I guess that's a good thing because their PAT before was a joke.

Well its a joke if you are in young and in your 20s of course. For those in their mid 30s and up its not much of a joke any more. I passed it a year ago(but failed the background)...trained for it and blazed through it. Reapplied but probably couldn't pass it now because of health issues. So I'm screwed. Should of applied in my 20s but I don't think they were hiring as aggressively at the time. You'll understand what I mean at the end of your prime.

[esy]

Well its a joke if you are in young and in your 20s of course. For those in their mid 30s and up its not much of a joke any more. I passed it a year ago(but failed the background)...trained for it and blazed through it. Reapplied but probably couldn't pass it now because of health issues. So I'm screwed. Should of applied in my 20s but I don't think they were hiring as aggressively at the time. You'll understand what I mean at the end of your prime.

I'm not trying to downplay health issues or what not, but age has nothing to do with CDCR's or many agencies' PATs. I'll be 33 in about 5 months and can knock out my agencie's PAT without a problem. I know plenty of others that are much older than I am that would also have no problem. CDCR's video example of their PAT has a gentleman who appears to be in his mid 40s and is literally jogging/trotting through the course and finishes without a problem at all.

Health issues that hinder one's ability to train do not count. If someone is plain and simply out of shape because they do not train, then they have no place in law enforcement anyway. Just my $0.02.

[cuchillo negro]

Well its a joke if you are in young and in your 20s of course. For those in their mid 30s and up its not much of a joke any more. I passed it a year ago(but failed the background)...trained for it and blazed through it. Reapplied but probably couldn't pass it now because of health issues. So I'm screwed. Should of applied in my 20s but I don't think they were hiring as aggressively at the time. You'll understand what I mean at the end of your prime.

I am 47 and I can pass that test.......if you can't run 1.5 miles under 12 minutes you are hurting and have no business in law enforcement even CDCR.

[dael]

I am 47 and I can pass that test.......if you can't run 1.5 miles under 12 minutes you are hurting and have no business in law enforcement even CDCR.

Pretty sure there are plenty of cdcr guys who couldn't pass it.