Academy

[StraightShot04]

[CBR_rider]

Get in good physical shape now. And find out ways to get help with the kiddo and anything else around the house ahead of time. If you don't have enough time to train and fully understand the materials because you are busy with work, family, or whatever else don't waste your time going yet. Good LEO jobs are often very competitive right now; don't whittle down your chances by scoring poorly on the tests.

That being said, if you can get in good shape ahead of time and are able to keep a clear schedule as best you can you will do fine. LEO academies aren't THAT difficult.

[9mmepiphany]

Make sure you CDL and vehicle registration are up to date...every class has at least on which is expired.

Don't be late for anything...believe me you don't want to carry a rock around.

The traffic getting onto the base is always worst then you think it will be...learn where the back way in is.

[StraightShot04]

Thanks for the info and tips. I'm not too worried about my son. He has loving grandparents that already watch him while I'm at work and a loving mother as well. As far as physical shape, I believe I am in decent shape but I still hit the gym almost on a nightly basis to try and push myself further. Any other tips and what to expect or look out for is greatly appreciated. Insight from anyone who went through the academy while working would greatly help as well.

[OTP]

You will be doing lots of memos. Use real language; not text codes or you will get even more memos.

Use a dictionary when needed as spelling memos can add up quickly.

If they require handwritten vs computer stuff, get a stencil at a uniform store and learn to use it now.

Make sure your vehicle is CA compliant as they do inspections and
violations equal more memos.

You're there for a reason, to learn and graduate, plus you have a family.
Don't get pulled into the groups that study at a restaurant or bar.

Is this a III/II, or a III/II/I academy?

[StraightShot04]

III/II/I

[Just-in]

Good luck to you.

[MECHAGODZILLA]

good luck man

[drew3630]

I went through the extended academy several years ago in Santa Rosa. It took about a year. We met Tues and Thurs evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday. I can tell you that it might be a little hard physically but the biggest challenge for most of us was mental. You have to balance your day job, family life, and the demands of the academy for a year. You are basically giving up a year of your life. Is it worth it? For me it was.
Best of luck to you.

[Rockit]

Make sure you CDL and vehicle registration are up to date...every class has at least on which is expired.

Don't be late for anything...believe me you don't want to carry a rock around.

The traffic getting onto the base is always worst then you think it will be...learn where the back way in is.

They have moved the academy back to Riverwalk.....where it should be

Op...start running now. I was in decent shape when I started the academy. Was regularly cycling 100-200 miles a week and assumed I would be fine running. Shin splints and torn meniscus in both knees made the multiple daily runs miserable.

Don't worry about being non-affiliated. Almost everyone gets picked up as an on-call (no benefits and limited anual hours) if they graduate. VERY common to work as an on-call for a few years before getting picked up full time.

And as others have said...have your vehicle 100% legal. Academy staff was NOT humored by the bullet holes in my windsheild. They cited me for broken windsheild and no mud flaps.

[9mmepiphany]

They have moved the academy back to Riverwalk.....where it should be

You're right...the thing to remember is not to drink the water there.

Not speeding through the neighborhood is very important as Riverwalk is located in one of the most entitled parts of Sacto

Op...start running now. I was in decent shape when I started the academy. Was regularly cycling 100-200 miles a week and assumed I would be fine running. Shin splints and torn meniscus in both knees made the multiple daily runs miserable.

Yup, run and build wind

Don't worry about being non-affiliated. Almost everyone gets picked up as an on-call (no benefits and limited anual hours) if they graduate. VERY common to work as an on-call for a few years before getting picked up full time.

This has been true of every academy class I've ever seen...On-Calls are actually called Permanent Intermittent employees...and they are allowed to work up to one pay period short of half a year.

The only trainees who didn't become On-Calls were ones who got picked up by other local departments, ones who were taken for warrants during their background checks and the one who got a DUI 3 weeks before graduation

[Just-in]

The only trainees who didn't become On-Calls were ones who got picked up by other local departments, ones who were taken for warrants during their background checks and the one who got a DUI 3 weeks before graduation

Unbelievable...

My confidence to keep testing has been boosted for the day.

[retired]

As far as physical shape, I believe I am in decent shape

As CBR_rider said, "Get in good physical shape now." Being in decent shape won't do it. You definitely need to be in good shape prior to entering. Don't just run, but also do push ups, sit ups and squad thrusts. You will be doing a lot of them during the academy.

If you are in good shape when you enter, you will be in great shape when you graduate. The promise you need to make to yourself when you graduate, is to remain in good shape during your career if you are hired. Some let themselves go and become not only out of shape, but obese. Not only are you possibly putting yourself in danger, you do the same for your partners.

I know of one incident at my station were a deputy was in a fight with a burglary suspect for his gun (deputy's). They were in the back yard of a residence. The assisting deputy who was in the rear yard of the neighbor's residence, was unable to climb over the wall to assist the deputy struggling with the suspect because of his weight and poor physical condition. Thankfully, the deputy in the struggle gained control of the suspect and cuffed him. You don't want to be either leo in a similar situation.

[headstart101]

I was also accepted to the Sheriff Academy starting in August but I'm a little worried about the physical part more specifically the weight training. I had an injury to my arm that makes it very difficult to do bench presses, if anyone knows how much lifting are you required to do in the Academy? I can do everything else no problem, push, sit ups and running. I did 7 years in the military prior.

[Falconis]

I just wanted to say good luck to everyone. It's not something anyone wants to repeat, but it'll be fun