Questions regarding Modulars.

[Lugiahua]

On the different websites for academy I often come across Modular classes.

What are modular classes and how are they different than regular basic academy?

What's III/II/I supposed to mean? Are they related to Reserve programs?

Thanks in advance.

[cuchillo negro]

You need all three modules to be hired full time as a cop or a level 1 reserve police officer. Usually colleges that run police academies break up the classes in a modular format and they can take as long as a year to complete because they are not full time academies. If you were to get picked up by an agency that has their own academy they are full time and take around 6 months to complete.

[Lugiahua]

When I did some research on the module, most of them are 4 hours at night, 8-12 hours a week.

How do they conduct PT under this type schedule? Or do trainees conduct self-PT at their own time and pass a exit test in the end?

[CaptMike]

Lecture during weeknight classes and PT on scheduled saturdays. This is the way some academys do it.

[HP911]

Modular Academy classes allow you to attend a POST Academy part time (usually at night) while still having time to hold down a full time job.

Module III is the first module you need to complete before moving to Module II and then Module I. Module III is fairly easy and the Modules get progressively harder and longer.

Should you decide you want to work as a part time reserve, you do not need to complete all three modules and you could be hired as a Level III/Level II/Level I reserve. Clearly, your responsibilities will be determined by what level are hired at.

Level III reserves typically work public functions and do not patrol. Level II often times work patrol with a Level I/Full time officer. Level I can usually patrol at the solo officer level.

I did a Level III and Level II program while working full time. It wasn't easy and I was driving 100+ miles a day and having to take power naps in rest stops on a daily basis. While I never got hired as a reserve, having the certificates helped me get hired as an entry level full time officer and I got to go through another academy for 30 weeks.

[Lugiahua]

Thank you, so module is indeed connected to reserve level.

Just a few more questions...
How were the two classes different? Was the modules harder than basic academy due to time limit? Did they skipped some materials?
How was PT conducted?

[Jonnyboy182]

I went through a modular academy. I wouldn't say it was easier or harder. The stress level may have been more intense with a full time academy but we had to deal with full time work, families and the constant academy stress. Our pt was held nearly every academy day and I would say it was the same-I had to make up a few hours in the full time group and I didn't feel any better or worse after it was done. I think we may have gotten into better shape since we worked out for longer (although perhaps not every day). My academy was fri night and all day Sat/sun.

Edit-we did the same workload as the ft group did. All the same tests/classes. They are all POST mandated so you can't skip any. I had to study at lunch every day to learn as much as I needed to.

[HP911]

Thank you, so module is indeed connected to reserve level.

Just a few more questions...
How were the two classes different? Was the modules harder than basic academy due to time limit? Did they skipped some materials?
How was PT conducted?

As mentioned earlier, each Module gets longer in duration and includes more material. Module III was sort of an introduction into law enforcement. Lots of powerpoints and general police theory, intro to the criminal justice system, laws of arrest etc. Module II got a little more interesting with classes on controlled substances, information systems etc.

Whether you go through Module III-II-I or go to the full time basic academy, you will cover all of the same material. In fact, at the Modular Academy I went to, going through the Module's actually came out to something like 80 more hours than the full time basic academy.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your overall goal of going through an academy? Do you want to become a reserve or a full time officer?