Police Academy

[cantskipthisstone]

Hi all Just had a question to ask the LEO's on here. I currently live in Michigan and am about to graduate this summer from Michigan University with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I have went on plenty ride-alongs with the police in my area including Detroit police totaling 300+ hours, so I know this is what I want to do. After talking with many police officers (goal is to move to California) I have been told to complete the police academy here in Michigan and then apply for a position in California. This way I would only have to do a short course on the state laws and the Police department would not have to waste their money to send me to a police academy.

Well I was just wondering if I could get a second opinion on this plan from a California LEO. Would I have a equal chance of getting the position as a applicant from a California Police academy? -OR- if accepted would I have to repeat the police academy in the state of California?

Would appreciate any help!
Thanks in advance!!

[ls2monaro]

If you want to be a cop in california go to an academy in california. It will make the hiring process much simpler

[Samuelx]

Your training/experience/certifications may or may not transfer over. You may have to attend an entire academy all over again. It may also differ depending on how long you've been on the job, what your duties were, and what training/experience you had at the time of moving.

Recommend you contact specific agencies and ask what their requirements/policies are with regards to out of state lateral officers. Also, some agencies will try to accommodate you should you schedule appointments for testing - they may try to get all your testing done in a couple of days (in a row)...

[cantskipthisstone]

Your training/experience/certifications may or may not transfer over. You may have to attend an entire academy all over again. It may also differ depending on how long you've been on the job, what your duties were, and what training/experience you had at the time of moving.

Recommend you contact specific agencies and ask what their requirements/policies are with regards to out of state lateral officers. Also, some agencies will try to accommodate you should you schedule appointments for testing - they may try to get all your testing done in a couple of days (in a row)...

The economy in Michigan has gotten really bad and not many police departments are looking to send people to the academy. They would much rather prefer a person like myself pay for the academy out of pocket and then apply for a position at the department. I don't know if the situation is similar in California, but I don't have that kind of money to pay for the academy and rent a appartment out for 12 weeks until the courses finish. On the other hand I do not mind coming for 3 or 4 days to complete the written exam and the physical agility exam, if the police department is willing to pay me for attending the academy (have to make a living somehow). So I run into some complications there but I will give a few agencies a call to see if they would accept out of state certifications that would be the best way to go for me...financially that is.

[BoJackUSMC]

The economy in Michigan has gotten really bad and not many police departments are looking to send people to the academy. They would much rather prefer a person like myself pay for the academy out of pocket and then apply for a position at the department. I don't know if the situation is similar in California, but I don't have that kind of money to pay for the academy and rent a appartment out for 12 weeks until the courses finish. On the other hand I do not mind coming for 3 or 4 days to complete the written exam and the physical agility exam, if the police department is willing to pay me for attending the academy (have to make a living somehow). So I run into some complications there but I will give a few agencies a call to see if they would accept out of state certifications that would be the best way to go for me...financially that is.

I can say for sure about this and yes, California is also having tough time right now. I have been in the hiring process for while now and it is very tough right now. I thought with my military background and Business Degree will help me stand out little more. However, that is not the case since people like me are having to compete against law enforcement officers who have been laid off recently. Also,they already have the knowledge and experience of LEO.

Sorry if I am sounding little harsh, but this is the reality right now. It is not impossible, but very difficult journey to become a LEO right now.
I wish you the best and good luck.

[ElvenSoul]

Talk to the Marines they will make you an Officer! If no departments take you.

[code33]

What you are referring to is the Basic Course Waiver Process. One of the requirements is at least a year of LE experience. So it's not just about going through any academy and taking a test.

Start here:

http://www.post.ca.gov/basic-course-waiver-process.aspx

[zfields]

Move to Texas, I think just about every local Sheriff Dept is hiring, at least in my area. I know Austin and San Antonio were hiring cadets (they pay for academy) recently also.

[HisOwnHero]

Apply and or look in places that are hiring. CA currently is not really in much of a hiring phase and there are a lot of laid off and former cops searching for employment that you will be competing with plus tons of guys that have gone the self sponsor route at CA academies. The just job aren't here right now and the applicant pool is huge. Look in states that are actively recruiting. Philadelphia PD has a big hiring push right now. As far as CA though, I wouldn't count on it.

[S2V]

I know when I went through the academy, I had several classmates that were former police officers from different states... They had to go through the academy in CA all over again...

If you're thinking of becoming an LEO in CA... Suggest you apply with a department in CA and attend their academy...

[cantskipthisstone]

What you are referring to is the Basic Course Waiver Process. One of the requirements is at least a year of LE experience. So it's not just about going through any academy and taking a test.

Start here:
http://www.post.ca.gov/basic-course-waiver-process.aspx

Yeah that requires at least a year of law enforcement experience. You have a better chance of finding a needle in a hay stack then getting a LEO job right now in Michigan. I know the police department I did my ride-alongs for (saw an officer the other day) is hiring one person and they already received close too 500 applications.

That was my main concern I didn't want to pay for the academy here and then get a job out of state and go back to the academy, waist of money and time if that is the case.

[ak_in_ca]

You are likely going to find out that most other states POST will not be recognized without some serious additional training here in California or quite a bit of patrol time at another agency. CA has one of the most stringent POST academy requirements in the entire nation, thats why as a CA cop you can transfer almost anywhere as long as you have your basic CA POST Cert. If you want to be a cop here come and get your POST cert here.

[TheExpertish]

If you want to be a cop in california go to an academy in california. It will make the hiring process much simpler

+1

The economy in Michigan has gotten really bad and not many police departments are looking to send people to the academy. They would much rather prefer a person like myself pay for the academy out of pocket and then apply for a position at the department. I don't know if the situation is similar in California, but I don't have that kind of money to pay for the academy and rent a appartment out for 12 weeks until the courses finish. On the other hand I do not mind coming for 3 or 4 days to complete the written exam and the physical agility exam, if the police department is willing to pay me for attending the academy (have to make a living somehow). So I run into some complications there but I will give a few agencies a call to see if they would accept out of state certifications that would be the best way to go for me...financially that is.

What you should look into is an extended format academy. You can have a full time job and put yourself through the academy that way. If you want to be a cop out here, DO NOT waste your time going through an academy in Michigan. Tactics, laws, and many other things are quite different. The other good option would be as one other suggested is going into the military till all this economy crap blows over and departments go on a hiring spree. The training and life experience are huge bonuses.

[cantskipthisstone]

Ive looked up what the physical test consists of and I came to qualifications.

a. 99 yard obstacle course
b. 165 lb Body Drag 32ft
c. Chain Link Fence Climb 6ft
d. Solid Wall Climb 6ft
e. 500 Yard Sprint
f. 1.5 mile run (completed in 14 minutes or less)

is this all? no pull-ups or pushups?

[b76]

Thank you I look forward to participate in the academy next year after I get my sociology degree.