Questions about the academy

[Just-in]

I wore a suit, it doesn't hurt to overdress. You never know who is watching.

[TJW]

Start the process to go unsponsored. You can still go through the application process while in the academy. Most all agencies are hiring and can't find qualified applicants. Even if you are hired right now, there's probably a 6-month wait to get a spot in the next academy class due to the hiring frenzy. It's a big bonus to hire someone already in the academy or one who has already graduated the academy. It saves the agency money, and more importantly time, since most agencies are currently understaffed. Keep in mind, once an agency gets your application and you go through the hiring process and are lucky enough to get hired, you still have to pass the 5-6 month full-time academy & pass field training before you are ever on your own and considered part of the staffing level. Start to finish, about a 18 months. The sooner you get started, the better off you will be.

[mixicus]

OP,

Anytime you are in a face-to-face with some one in the hiring process, a suit, shave and fresh haircut is a great idea (except for a PT test). This would include a written test in a large crowded room. It is noticed.

As for the academy...if you can get sponsored at any stage of the game, it's a good thing. Agencies will 'hire' recruits prior to the academy as well as in the academy. If you go through an academy without applying, when you apply at agencies, the POST academy cert is a differential point for you. The more check boxes you can hit for an agency the better your chances. Those check boxes vary from place to place but academy grad, college education, military service and language skills are typical things P&T look at.

[Big Korea]

I can't thank everyone enough for the input and help I've received. It's really inspiring and a testament to the community and field I want to be apart of. I owe it all to you to keep you posted. I am going to keep applying to agencies and try to get into this upcoming academy. I have to retake the written test for each agency if I understand correctly?

[BigStiCK]

CHP is hiring. Full time paid academy. You can go anywhere in the state, drive planes, fly cars, shoot gunz & be a hero!

[TRICKSTER]

Additionally, if you get injured in an academy where you have sponsored yourself you are on your own. However, if you get injured in a departmental academy you're covered under workman's comp and will be rehabilitated and cycled into the next class. I tried to tell a friend of the family this and he did not listen. He suffered a stress fracture to his hip in his self sponsored academy and he was done. Our department would not look at him as he's a liability and simply a workman's comp case waiting to happen.

Had he listened to me he would have been treated, rehabilitated and started over in the next academy class. Our department gives 10 veteran preference points and that counts for a hell of a lot more in the hiring process than having your POST. We don't care because you have to finish our academy regardless.

Not every department does this so don't count on it unless you obtain it in writing. I know someone who was injured in an academy last year, was unable to complete it and was told tough luck even though the academy staff all gave him glowing reviews in writing. His department handled his workers comp and injury and then showed him the door.