Starting the academy, any advice?

[nadodave]

Good luck. I just did my entrance physical agility test today. Oral interview next week.

[phroggunner]

When I went through the academy by the end if it something became VERY CLEAR!!!!!

There were THREE main cliques of class members.

1) Those who were agency sponsored

2) Those who were not sponsored but veterans

3) everyone else

THE ONLY ONES TO WASH OUT were from group #3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every Academy is different, and this was not my experience at all.

At least half of the sponsored recruits in my academy failed out, and probably about the same ratio of veterans as well.

What really seemed to trip up the veterans was the idea that the academy/law enforcement was similar to their experience in the military. Among other things, they found out the hard way that "helping" a fellow recruit pass a test was an integrity violation, and making questionable jokes to a large group would be offensive to someone.

Listen carefully and adhere to the expectations set forth on the first day. Work hard and help your fellow classmates, but do not put your future career in jeapordy in the process.

[retired]

If we are talking groups, another one would be a former/active reserve, probably sponsored but maybe unsponsored. My class had just finished the reserve academy the week before for his dept. He was the first class sgt. and did every thing right.

I would change you working out "several times a week," to more than that. As was mentioned, you will be running. Some of that will probably include hills, so you should train for that. You will also be doing calisthenics, so do your push ups, sit ups and burpees. I don't know you, nor know what you look like, but some cadets think the academy will get them in shape. Those are the ones who generally flunk out. Everyone should be in good shape prior to beginning any academy IMO. If you recall the FOX show titled, "The Academy" some years ago, you will remember some of the cadets in each academy were obese. Most, if not all, had a very difficult time and many flunked out or were recycled to the next class to try again. The show was about LASD, my former Dept. and it was embarrassing to watch these people. We had some like them in my class in 1976 and they never did the whole run. As we neared the bottom of all of the hills, the DI leading them would just turn them around and have them fall in behind us. Not right. Especially if you are fighting a suspect, need help and they are unable to climb over a wall.

If I may ask, what academy are you going to be attending. Community college, SO or PD.

[DT556]

If we are talking groups, another one would be a former/active reserve, probably sponsored but maybe unsponsored. My class had just finished the reserve academy the week before for his dept. He was the first class sgt. and did every thing right.

I would change you working out "several times a week," to more than that. As was mentioned, you will be running. Some of that will probably include hills, so you should train for that. You will also be doing calisthenics, so do your push ups, sit ups and burpees. I don't know you, nor know what you look like, but some cadets think the academy will get them in shape. Those are the ones who generally flunk out. Everyone should be in good shape prior to beginning any academy IMO. If you recall the FOX show titled, "The Academy" some years ago, you will remember some of the cadets in each academy were obese. Most, if not all, had a very difficult time and many flunked out or were recycled to the next class to try again. The show was about LASD, my former Dept. and it was embarrassing to watch these people. We had some like them in my class in 1976 and they never did the whole run. As we neared the bottom of all of the hills, the DI leading them would just turn them around and have them fall in behind us. Not right. Especially if you are fighting a suspect, need help and they are unable to climb over a wall.

If I may ask, what academy are you going to be attending. Community college, SO or PD.

I'm 5 weeks and a day from starting and will start working out 5-6 times a week now. I've been running about 10-12 miles a week, 500 pushups/sit ups/burpees a week as well.

Community college.

[explosivewhale]

Countless agencies are mass hiring, why is self sponsoring still a thing?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

[Snoopy47]

Oh, I'm also going to mention that in the Scenario Exams you can absolutely arrest someone trying to get you to help them fudge an insurance claim.

File a false insurance claim.

https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-550.html

(a) It is unlawful to do any of the following, or to aid, abet, solicit, or conspire with any person to do any of the following:

(5) Knowingly prepare, make, or subscribe any writing, with the intent to present or use it, or to allow it to be presented, in support of any false or fraudulent claim.

There's a section for conspiracy too, so if you helped make such a report you would be guilty too.

******

I was originally given a failing score for the Ethics Scenario Exam. The role player was trying to get me to fudge upwards the value of the stolen property for an insurance claim.

What was suppose to happen was I should have just not done it, and walked out the door and left them with an accurate police report.

They wouldn't let it go, so I arrested them.

I was told I failed for making an unlawful arrest.

I appealed on the basis of PC550, and given a passing score of 100%, my classmate that also failed for the same reason by default was given the same score.

*****

MORE infuriating was I really pissed off the Scenario Coordinator (to the delight of my TAC Officers), and he went to great lengths to get me to confess I DID NOT KNOW THE LAW at the time I executed the arrest during the exam. Which of course would mean I acted unethically and would by default fail the exam. What kind of an idiot did he think I was?


I bit my lip, and toed the line.

It's not important why I as a pathetic wannabe know the law, it's more important to audit the Academy Training Process why everyone from the Scenario Coordinator, Academy Cadre, and the POST Committee that design the scenarios DOES NOT KNOW THE LAW.

*****
Maybe I was being "tested" again.

[hmvan]

I don't know you, nor know what you look like, but some cadets think the academy will get them in shape. Those are the ones who generally flunk out. Everyone should be in good shape prior to beginning any academy IMO.

[mixicus]

Get all your personal affairs in order now. Get your car service (tires, oil change, etc.). You don't need it taking a crap on you when you need to be at the academy. Set a budget. Get your gear and square it away now (or as soon as possible). You don't need the extra stress of trying to find something the weekend before Black Monday. Have a talk with family, friends and your significant other to set expectations. It should go along the lines of "I need your support, patience and understanding. This is what I want to do with my life. I'll see you in 6 months." Take a few days off to relax and clear your mind before it all begins.

[grantboy]

The 2 biggest things I will say are....
1. Do not lie- about anything... it can literally be the color of your underwear.... Do not Lie!!!!!
2.Do not quit... this endeavor may be the hardest thing you have ever done... keep pushing... pain is simple a head game, if you are mentally tough, you can fight through the pain... DO NOT QUIT!!!!

[03rubicon]

Academy

Fitness is important, if you are fit, thats one less thing you have to stress about. You need to be mentally tough. Most academies are very paramilitatistic so expect yelling and punishment the first couple weeks/months or throughout depending on agency/academy. There will be cliques like above mentioned. LDs are now done in groups. We had 3 in our academy, first covered like 8 or 10 LDs, the second coveed 8 or 10 plus the previous ones and the final added another 10 and the previous. AKA accumulative. I wouldn't stress about the LDs, POST has geared them supposedly so that a 6th grade education cann get you through them. That being said do not take them lightly, especially LDs 15, 16 and 20. (Laws of arrest, crimes against the justice system and use of force)

Going to have good days, great days, and ****ty days. Remember to have fun too. EVOC was a blast along with other dept specific training I got to go through.

Stay tough physically and mentally, be humble and never lose integrity and you will do just fine. Also a lot of folks say to stay in the middle of the pact which for the most part is true, but don't be scared to speak up or volunteer first. Better to fail forward in academy then when you get out into the field and from my experience, the ones that don't volunteer when practicing for scenario testings usually are remediating or failing out.

I graduate in a couple weeks so I dont have any field experience or tips, just what I've been through and seen so far. So feel free to take or leave what I said.

FTP here I come.

[111222]

Quit and go apply at hose dragger school. In five years you will thank me.

All of the academies are full and there are not a lot of fire jobs, but plenty of police jobs.

I am not a LEO, but here is something from the fire academy that might help...

Poor attitude

1. IGM'rs (i got mine) -> if you are one of those get rid of that attitude or instructors will sniff you out easily.
2. Be a listener not a teacher. If you know something then share it between your classmates at lunch time. Dont suggest something to a instructor about a trick you learned as an "Explorer" or from another department. Remember you are trying to pass the tests (manipulative and academic)the "tower way" not the "field way"
3. Keep your mouth shut and ears open. Only chit chat with your buddies at lunch time, dont join in conversations that shouldnt be going on in the first place.
4. Dont talk bad about your instructors or your fellow cadets.
5. Dont make excuses, If you screw up then you screw up, dont apologize for it, just move on and dont repeat it
6. Dont go out with your buddies on the weekends to bars and clubs to "take a break", thats how people get in trouble. DUI's, FIGHTS, LEWD CONDUCT
7. Do not try to brown nose your instructors. They are not your friends nor will they ever want to be so just have a common respect and take it from there.
8. Remember you are there for a badge not to gain more friends so keep the non tower related talk for after you left drill tower grounds.
9. Support your fellow cadets as much as you would want to be supported. You will not make it through without their help and visa versa.

Physical Conditioning

1. The first 3 weeks of our academy were some of the worst weeks. Seemed like they wanted to weed the people who couldnt take it out. We had 13 people quit in the 1st week and half, alot of those in the 1st 2 days. The physical agility test was not even close to the exhertion you go through in the tower. You go home daily sore/bruised/strained and your body never has a chance to recover from it so its more like being in good enough condition where your body can adapt to it (its hard to imagine but trust me it happens) Be in the best shape you can imagine possible, if you dont your going to get hurt.

Mental conditioning

1. After the first 4 weeks of our 19 week academy it started sinking in that we are going to be here for a while. Its mentally draining, you gotta stay focused and positive or you will never make it. Its extremely stressful when you gotta do a manipulative drill and your job is on the line for it, for example throwing a ladder or performing a hose lay (believe me everyone in my tower had to do something where there job was on the line at least once and sometimes more and i guarantee it will happen at least once to you) Remember you are your own worst enemy.

Academic

1. You get exposed to alot of information about a lot of things in the tower and your expected to know it and you will be tested on it daily and sometimes weekly. Some people failed out because of academics, take it seriously, forget your buddies for a few months and your girlfriend. Stay home, and hybernate with your notes, its your best chance for passing.

Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck to all and remember this when your in the tower ->
"There is thousands of people out there who would kill to be in your position right now, dont give them your badge"

TORRANCE FIRE DEPARTMENT

SUCCESSFULLY SURVIVING YOUR RECRUIT TRAINING

The following guidelines will help you be a successful recruit on the Torrance Fire Department. Many of you have various levels of experience and training which will be valuable to the Torrance Fire Department in the near future. But as a recruit (new employee), your probationary period will be much more pleasant if you can demonstrate patience in displaying your talents and skill until you’ve learned what we want you to know.


BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES FOR THE TRAINING TOWER

1. Do ask questions if you do not understand.
2. Do take every opportunity to help to help one another develop into a team.
3. The “Double Time Trot” is accepted mode of transportation from one place to another while outdoors.
4. Tardiness or unexpected absenteeism will not be tolerated in the fire service, period. Better to be a hour early than a minute late.
5. Arriving for duty unprepared will demonstrate the qualities necessary for a new career elsewhere.
6. A lack of aggressiveness in manipulative work will shorten your basic training period significantly.
7. Disregard for safety will get you canned.
8. Standing with your hands in your pockets will raise questions about your respect for authority and your level of attention.
9. Profanity and/or spitting on the ground will get you a job with someone else.
10. If it doesn’t move, clean it. If it does move, address it as “Sir”.
11. Don’t attempt to socialize with regular members of the department during the basic training period.
12. Show respect for all co-workers at all times.
13. Hustle, shine and always look good

.

[skyscraper]

When you get to the exams, they are comprehensive now. So there are 3 tests the entire academy (well 4 counting first aid/cpr) instead of one for each LD. Don't READ into the questions. Answer them exactly how you see them.

[socom2shooter]

Yes what skyscraper said. The first aid test was the hardest. The other three were actually pretty easy. Never ever go backwards on a test and change awnsers usually your first choice is more correct.