Final interview in about 2 weeks! - Update 2: Turned down for the second time...

[IrishJoe3]

Become a Paramedic or firefighter/EMT.

Civii service hiring processes suck. Just ask your BI why you were denied and who their "ideal" recruit is. If you remain slient you'll never know what to fix. I applied for the Sheriffs dept in my area got disqualified,so did my friend.

I became a EMT don't regret it. People are always thanking me, some complain sure. But I've done amazing things like transporting heart attack patients with a life flight crew that I met at their helicopter. Our jobs are not to judge people, all those things become meaningless in the big scheme of things.

its amazing to see so many different personalities come together and work on a very sick person.

If thats your thing, sure. But apples and oranges. Being a LEO is the best job in the world for me. I would find being EMT/Fire Fighter to be mind numbingly painful.

Not sure why people lump fire fighters and LEOs together so much, they are completely different jobs with different objectives, that just happen to occasionally be on the same scene together.

Oh yeah. Real men (and women) don't stage

[IrishJoe3]

And to the OP.....how bad do you want it? That's the difference between a LEO and a former applicant.

Shop around, go on ride alongs with different departments, talk to officers/deputies, get a feel for the job. There are quite a few departments that are hiring.

[anonymous308]

Oh yeah. Real men (and women) don't stage

Oh no he didn't lol

Real men and women don't show up on scene with guns, tasers, batons, and dogs!

[anonymous308]

To offer something constructive to the thread.

OP these guys are right, I have A LOT of friends and family who are LE or Fire and not one of them got picked up easily. Their persistence is what paid off. Some of them spent 8+ years trying to get picked up.

As corny as it sounds, it will happen when and where it is meant to.

The way I look at it is I wouldn't want to work for a department who doesn't want me. You will find your home if you keep on pushing.

Good luck and keep your head up!

[Adeodatus]

Most of us got several of those letters before getting hired. It's a highly competitive field with a LOT of applicants. Pretty common for hundreds or thousands vying for one or two or ten spots. Doesn't really mean much. Apply again, and apply everywhere.

Thanks man. Yeah, that is the plan. I'm starting the hunt again today for all departments that will entry level hire and pay for the academy. I can't afford to put myself through it, so getting hired is my only option. Taking loans to do it is it too risky right now for me.

I had applied to Oakland but stopped the process because I thought I was going to the academy. I was told by department heads/workers they wanted me in the earlier academy, so I made presumptions I shouldn't had.

Hoping I can reapply there soon.

I am still in the process for CDCR, thank goodness. Should be getting a background interview in like the next 3-6 months. It's something at least.

Which department was it for?

Sending you a PM.

Hang in there, guy. Like the others said, you gotta keep applying over and over again until you get that golden ticket. I feel you - it is discouraging. When you don't know where you went wrong, how can you make an improvement for next time?

I drove up and down the state several times for written exams and such before I got an offer. It wasn't fun spending hundreds of dollars to drive 8+ hours only to not make a department's cut. My own hometown city department was really interested in me, until they found out I had a firefighting background. Then the guy abruptly ended the conversation and was like, "Uhm....yeah...ok. It was nice meeting you!" My other local county department wouldn't take me to backgrounds even though I had some very relevant experience for that particular role. I was also a prior county employee (with a county background check from their own department already clear!). So, yeah, it was probably some bogus, political reason I didn't move on with either of those places.

BUT I kept slogging away at it until I finally had that badge in my hand!


Do not give up!!

Thanks! Yeah I have been applying and testing everywhere I could for about a solid 2 years now. I've even gone out of state to Oregon and got turned away (no surprise, they hate californians lol)

The first time I got "non-selected" it was extremely obvious it was political. This time, I don't know. The department has been hurting really bad for people. Why they would turn a good clean candidate away is beyond me.

Become a Paramedic or firefighter/EMT.

Civii service hiring processes suck. Just ask your BI why you were denied and who their "ideal" recruit is. If you remain slient you'll never know what to fix. I applied for the Sheriffs dept in my area got disqualified,so did my friend.

I became a EMT don't regret it. People are always thanking me, some complain sure. But I've done amazing things like transporting heart attack patients with a life flight crew that I met at their helicopter. Our jobs are not to judge people, all those things become meaningless in the big scheme of things.

its amazing to see so many different personalities come together and work on a very sick person.

Hey, thanks!

I have an AS degree in Fire Protection Technology and I did my EMT training and have my cert. I just need to do the national registry. I failed it twice, don't know why, I felt confident when I took it. Everything seemed correct but I guess not. I have one more try on the test and I have been studying using the FISDAP but it didn't help the past two time, don't see why it would help a 3rd, doing it anyways though.

My EMT clinical was absolutely incredible. I worked at Good Samaritan Hospital on a Friday night (12 hour shift) and saw/did crazy things. Dealt with a lot. Had to do CPR, got my first revive too. . Then I had to work for SJFD for another 12 hours. Had a great time there too, got to do quite a bit of work.

Anyway's Fire/EMT is a lot of fun, but I have always felt Law Enforcement was my true calling.

First department I applied for I got hired, I was 21. It helped that I was in college and working for the department as a volunteer for two years to get college credits. Are you applying for a PD or SO? See if they have a citizens academy, or like my agency has OES, search and rescue, anything to help you get to know people and a foot in the door. If you want it that bad, you'll get it.

I was hoping I would end up like that.

I've applied to PD's and SO's

First time I applied I was just graduating as I was going through backgrounds.

Now I have:
-AS Degree in Fire Protection Technology
-EMT Cert.
-Loads of security and FEMA certs.
-NRA Basic Handgun Instructor.
-Graduating again with an AS Degree in Administration of Justice.
-Lots of work experience in the security field.
-Prior Police Explorer with my local department when I was in high school.
-I've done a ride along (but more can always help).
-Planning to transfer to SJSU to pursue online courses to get a BS Degree in Justice Studies with a Minor in Forensic Science.

[Adeodatus]

And to the OP.....how bad do you want it? That's the difference between a LEO and a former applicant.

Shop around, go on ride alongs with different departments, talk to officers/deputies, get a feel for the job. There are quite a few departments that are hiring.

I am ruthlessly determined to get in. I have based my entire education around public service. I have been gearing my life to the lifestyle as well (practicing awareness, looking into martial arts, developing fighting skills, becoming proficient in all types of firearms, lots of working out).

I have a few friends in the law enforcement community and I have been meeting and talking with them as much as I can. Getting their advice, constructive criticism, done a ride along (looking to do more).

I am not planning on quitting.

To offer something constructive to the thread.

OP these guys are right, I have A LOT of friends and family who are LE or Fire and not one of them got picked up easily. Their persistence is what paid off. Some of them spent 8+ years trying to get picked up.

As corny as it sounds, it will happen when and where it is meant to.

The way I look at it is I wouldn't want to work for a department who doesn't want me. You will find your home if you keep on pushing.

Good luck and keep your head up!

Thanks for the encouragement.

Definitely are with you there.

Yeah I know of fire guys that did 10+ years of Cal-Fire before getting a city department job. It's crazy, it's hard, but just takes determination.

[Tacit Blue]

If thats your thing, sure. But apples and oranges. Being a LEO is the best job in the world for me. I would find being EMT/Fire Fighter to be mind numbingly painful.

Not sure why people lump fire fighters and LEOs together so much, they are completely different jobs with different objectives, that just happen to occasionally be on the same scene together.

Oh yeah. Real men (and women) don't stage

I wasn't lumping them together. I was offering another alternative for the OP. I didnt mean any disrespect to the profession or career. I refused to let a civil servant " gate keeper" keep me down and make me to confess to every sin. Not sure what you mean by numb? I see how LE brings paitents to me in the E.R. for inmates who are refused entry to the jail for " chest pain" officers/deputies standing their all night babysitting looks boring. It is..., I see them on their cell phones and offer them coffee because they cant stay awake. That's reality right there.

I get to move around and everything is always constantly changing or evolving in medicine.

[Che762x39]

I am ruthlessly determined to get in. I have based my entire education around public service. I have been gearing my life to the lifestyle as well (practicing awareness, looking into martial arts, developing fighting skills, becoming proficient in all types of firearms, lots of working out).

I have a few friends in the law enforcement community and I have been meeting and talking with them as much as I can. Getting their advice, constructive criticism, done a ride along (looking to do more).

I am not planning on quitting.



Thanks for the encouragement.

Definitely are with you there.

Yeah I know of fire guys that did 10+ years of Cal-Fire before getting a city department job. It's crazy, it's hard, but just takes determination.

Be true to yourself. I never thought I would be a cop. I joined the Marines and they put me in the MPs. Then I got MP of the Year. Then it happens I got hired did my career and retired.

Be sure you have an aptitude test that shows LEO in your future. Because getting into the academy is one thing, graduating is another, passing probation is another. When I was an FTO I terminated seven trainees. Seven different reasons.

Good luck

[IrishJoe3]

I wasn't lumping them together. I was offering another alternative for the OP. I didnt mean any disrespect to the profession or career. I refused to let a civil servant " gate keeper" keep me down and make me to confess to every sin. Not sure what you mean by numb? I see how LE brings paitents to me in the E.R. for inmates who are refused entry to the jail for " chest pain" officers/deputies standing their all night babysitting looks boring. It is..., I see them on their cell phones and offer them coffee because they cant stay awake. That's reality right there.

I get to move around and everything is always constantly changing or evolving in medicine.

No no no, it wasn't a dig at you or the medical profession at all! Its good to know that if I ever get shot, stabbed or run over, there are dedicated and committed professionals such as yourself who will do everything possible to save my sorry hide.

Its a very necessary profession, but its not one that I personally would enjoy. And my point was I don't believe the two professions are interchangeable for most people. I, personally, would be bored out of my mind working EMT/Fire. Sure, LE has boring times too, (road closures, babysitting at a hospital, etc), but largely EMT/Fire are largely reactive, wheras LE is proactive. As a cop when not on a call, its my job to go out there as seek out criminals and do my best to protect the community from those that'd harm them. Not sit and wait for the next call for service.

Heck, I had a call this weekend of a female teenager the crap beat out of her in the street by a group. As I rolled in, a firetruck with four firefighters was sitting a block away, with an ambulance with a crew of three parked behind the truck. I went in by myself, cleared it up, and when safe called the fire guys to come on it. Not holding it against Fire as I do not want them hurt, but my personality would not let me sit there and wait around the corner while someone is being attacked and victimized. I couldn't do it. Thats why I'm a cop. Not a firefighter.

[IrishJoe3]

I am ruthlessly determined to get in. I have based my entire education around public service. I have been gearing my life to the lifestyle as well (practicing awareness, looking into martial arts, developing fighting skills, becoming proficient in all types of firearms, lots of working out).

I have a few friends in the law enforcement community and I have been meeting and talking with them as much as I can. Getting their advice, constructive criticism, done a ride along (looking to do more).

.

Good for you. Because thats what it takes. Think about all the mass media coverage every time a cop shows a lack of good judgement. You want any agency you work for to be extremely selective with who they hire. Because that means when you get the job, the guy/gal working next to you is top notch.

If you want it, (and you clearly do), stick with it. I know some current officers that applied several times, finally got to the academy only to get recycled through the academy 2-3 times due to injury or failing exams etc.

One thing I tell applicants as that they will ask you 'what have you done to prepare for a career as a Law Enforcement officer'? Make sure you have long list. (And it sounds like that is exactly what you're doing, so good job).

[anonymous308]

No no no, it wasn't a dig at you or the medical profession at all! Its good to know that if I ever get shot, stabbed or run over, there are dedicated and committed professionals such as yourself who will do everything possible to save my sorry hide.

Its a very necessary profession, but its not one that I personally would enjoy. And my point was I don't believe the two professions are interchangeable for most people. I, personally, would be bored out of my mind working EMT/Fire. Sure, LE has boring times too, (road closures, babysitting at a hospital, etc), but largely EMT/Fire are largely reactive, wheras LE is proactive. As a cop when not on a call, its my job to go out there as seek out criminals and do my best to protect the community from those that'd harm them. Not sit and wait for the next call for service.

Heck, I had a call this weekend of a female teenager the crap beat out of her in the street by a group. As I rolled in, a firetruck with four firefighters was sitting a block away, with an ambulance with a crew of three parked behind the truck. I went in by myself, cleared it up, and when safe called the fire guys to come on it. Not holding it against Fire as I do not want them hurt, but my personality would not let me sit there and wait around the corner while someone is being attacked and victimized. I couldn't do it. Thats why I'm a cop. Not a firefighter.

I would have loved to get an hour of sit around time in my 24 hour shift. Guess it all depends on where you work. Similar for LE I would imagine.

Sorry for the Hijack OP

[micro911]

I would have loved to get an hour of sit around time in my 24 hour shift. Guess it all depends on where you work. Similar for LE I would imagine.

That is not a bad thing.

[Adeodatus]

Well, this is interesting...

My buddy that is currently a self sponsor in an east bay region academy just got a rejection letter from the same department...

What on earth? Why would a department that is hurting for people reject a candidate (whom I consider to be more qualified than me in some areas) that would cost them nothing to send to the academy or pick up for employment?

Weird...

[BigStiCK]

Not that its any easier, but the CHP is ALWAYS hiring, and we PAY you to go through our academy.

Come work for us, and tell your buddy to.

[Adeodatus]

Not that its any easier, but the CHP is ALWAYS hiring, and we PAY you to go through our academy.

Come work for us, and tell your buddy to.

lol would love too.

My buddy already tried CHP. His 2 tickets over the past few years disqualified him.

I just got my first speeding ticket 2 weeks ago. So that wont look good at all.