Level 1 Modular Academy.

[Tacit Blue]

I put myself through Palomar. Personally, finding a reserve position is not easy anymore. It's due to departments cuts, lack of need, and most departments want to see a full academy and have hopes of going to a full-time position. I would recommend against putting yourself through regional at Miramar. Walk-on cadets have a stigma and have a much much lower success rate of getting hired than one of the extended format academies such as the ones at Palomar, Grossmont, and Southwestern.

I'm actually torn between Palomar and Grossmont. I had a friend who went to Palomar and he says it's top notch, and that the TO Jackson is a mean ole SOB. How was the stress level?? I know how Miramar academy operates as i've seen my friend go through it, is it pretty much the same? As in physically demanding? My friend makes it sound stressful, i don't think there's anyway its more so than the San Diego Regional.. Do they do the whole first 2 days of weeding out like Miramar? I'm just curious because my friend started with a group of 5 people at the PAT and none of them graduated..They were mostly medically DQ'd and one failed the shot gun course??

I also like the idea of a Modular format academy like Grossmont, I plan on working at least part time and attending the academy.

[TheExpertish]

I'm actually torn between Palomar and Grossmont. I had a friend who went to Palomar and he says it's top notch, and that the TO Jackson is a mean ole SOB. How was the stress level?? I know how Miramar academy operates as i've seen my friend go through it, is it pretty much the same? As in physically demanding? My friend makes it sound stressful, i don't think there's anyway its more so than the San Diego Regional.. Do they do the whole first 2 days of weeding out like Miramar? I'm just curious because my friend started with a group of 5 people at the PAT and none of them graduated..They were mostly medically DQ'd and one failed the shot gun course??

I also like the idea of a Modular format academy like Grossmont, I plan on working at least part time and attending the academy.

Palomar is top notch. My class had a 75% hire rate and the academy's average is consistently high. Jackson can be mean, but is an excellent example of what a police officer should be. He's an 11-year USMC vet, and a K9 and SWAT officer with Escondido. He is my personal hero and I have great respect for him. Its low stress compared to Miramar and they don't try to weed people out. You're paying them whereas at Miramar the department paying for you wants to know if you're up for it right away. At Palomar they want you to succeed. My class started with 39. 30 of us walked on graduation day of which 9 were in uniform (already hired).

Palomar is an extended format academy which allows for keeping a full time job. It's run Tues-Thurs 5:30-10:30 if I remember, and all day Saturday for an entire year. It is a long but worthwhile commitment if you are serious about a career in LE. You end up with almost 1200 hours of training which makes you very desirable to potential departments. Palomar has an excellent reputation in the county and beyond and is heavily recruited from. Finding a job should not be a problem if you have your **** in order.

[Tacit Blue]

Do you mind divulging what is on the written test?, i already filed my paperwork, took the assessment test. I know it's an essay, and there's a oral board also? What can you tell me about all the above, and how hard is the abilities test?

[TheExpertish]

I honestly don't remember. I think it was simply asking you why you want to be a police officer. What they are looking for is how well you can write which is 98% of being an officer. If you had issues writing book reports in high school you may have an issue here.

Oral board consists of 3 of the staff and is a simple interview. Again, asking why you want to be a police officer and scenario questions, like "what would you do if...?" Much like the written test there are no right or wrong per se, but interested in your train of thought and how well you can articulate your reasons. In regards to being a police officer try to give them something other than the generic "I want to help people" answer. Physical agility test is fairly basic if you are in any shape what so ever. Most people failed at the wall climbs which require you to scale a 6 foot chain link and wooden walls. Keep in mind only 50% make it through each stage so the failure rate is high just to get to day one. On the day of the written test there were 250 applicants. My class started with 42 on orientation of which 39 showed back for day one. If you go to the website I think it gives more info on the tests for the physical agility.

http://www.palomar.edu/policeacademy/admission.html