Applied to SDPD any tips?

[Jayruta]

Im a 30 year old male applying to sdpd and im about to take my written test. Anyone have any tips? I took the online test and its very easy. I am finishing up my associate's degree in adju in fall. I've read the sticky and am going to start physical training to get back into running.

I also plan on applying to sd sheriffs as well in June. Thanks for any advice and support!

[mixicus]

POST or the like written tests are straight forward basic function tests. Don't try to read anything into the questions just answer what is asked. For PT, the better shape you can get in now the better off you'll be in the academy. I believe SDPD uses an o-course, dummy drag and short run (500yds?) for thier PFQ.

I posted this on another thread. It maybe helpful.

What to prep now: get all the personal stuff in order. Once the academy starts, he won't have much spare time. This includes anything that he's been putting off like dentist/doctor appointments, repair/routine maintainance on the car, repairs around the house plus financial stuff. Have the "talks" with family and friends (along the lines of "I need your support and understanding. Here's what the next 6 months of academy and year of probation is going to entail. And I won't see you very much.")

From my experience at a 'high stress' academy in SoCal, the running and PT testing/ qualification at the academy is not a huge hurdle. An active person with a few months of training can make all the minimum numbers without issue. The more difficult issue (and it's a mental one) is the shear amount of sets you do throughout the day outside of PT. 400-600 reps of push-ups, burpees, mountain climbers every day on little sleep were normal before getting to PT.

As for running at the academy and a good starting program, check out the "couch to 5K" program on the Cool Running website. Also save some pain, head for a runners shoe store (not Dick's or Big 5) and have them find the right shoe for him. It will cost a bit more but it's worth it.

At the academy, we only hit the weight room a few times and there were no quals on any lifts so save the weights for after graduation. Focus the prep workouts on basic body weight exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts/burpees, mountian climbers, pull-ups and running) with the idea of multiple sets of 25 reps (except for pull-ups). Oh...and they are back-to-back sets meaning 25 push-ups, 25 squat thrusts, 25 mountain climbers, 25 sit-ups...repeat with ~10 second breaks between sets.

Another suggestion, is to head for a boxing or muay thai gym. The conditioning aspect is outstanding and you can develop some cross over skills along the way (i.e. hitting things). Don't be too concerned if the most accesible place to you isn't a MMA hotbed so long as it isn't KardioKickboxing or whatever 24 Hour Fitness is calling the aerobics class. You can also use P90X, Insanity, T25 or another intense DVD; you can follow the "Navy SEAL Prep" program found on the web or head for a crossfit box.

As a reality check, the following are fitness level recommendations from several PD's for beginning the police academy. The information is taken from the last week of their recommended pre-academy workout programs (links are old).

LAPD
(http://www.lacity.org/...b/lapd_tips.htm )

Run 4 miles @ 9-10 minutes per mile, 3-4 days/week
Push-ups 25-30 reps x 3 sets
Sit-ups 35-40 reps x 3 sets
Pull-ups 3-15 reps x 3 sets
Leg-lifts 25-35 reps x 3 sets

Las Vegas Metro PD
(http://www.protectthecity.com/...90DayPTPlan.pdf )

Run 3.5 miles @ 9:40 per mile, 4 days/week
Incline Push ups/ Push ups 25 reps x 3 sets
Flutter Kicks 3 sets at 45 seconds/set
Sit Ups 15 reps x 3 sets
Crunches 25 reps x 3 sets
Jumping Jacks 25 reps x 3 sets
Mountain Climbers 25 reps x 3 sets
Body Builders 25 reps x 3 sets

Costa Mesa PD(http://www.ci.costaesa.ca.us/...xpectations.htm )

Run 3 miles @ 9 minutes per mile, 3 days/week
Push-ups 50 reps
Sit-ups 50 reps
Pull-ups 4 reps

FBI PFT
(http://www.fbijobs.gov/1113.as... )

Push-ups 30/58
Sit-ups 38/71
1.5 Mile Run 12:24/8:89
300m Sprint 52.4/40.9
Values listed as min/max. Run and sprint values are minutes:seconds

SEAL PREP
(from Category 1 Wk 9 at http://navyseal.s5.com/workout... )

Run @ 8:30 pace for: Mon 4 miles, Tues 4 miles, Thursday 5 miles, Friday 3 miles
Push-ups 30 reps x 6 sets
Sit-ups 30 reps x 6 sets
Pull-ups 10 reps x 3 sets

[Big D]

If you can find personal history packet from any agency in SoCal and work on getting all the information they ask for, you will be ahead of the game when it comes time to start backgrounds. They may vary a bit from agency to agency but it should allow you to compile most of the needed info in one easy to access place. Before you turn in a background packet always keep a copy for yourself.

Immediately after an interview write down as many of the questions they asked as you can remember. Keep those questions and think about how you can improve your answers because you may see them again. Don't share them with other applicants because many agencies have you sign a non disclosure form.

Wear a suit every time you have to meet with someone from the agency. Even if it's just to drop off one piece of paper.

Go on a ride along if you can. Talk to officers about the good and the bad about the job.

[Gawernator]

10 minute miles? Holy f***. No wonder...

Just ran 09:46 on my 1.5 mile PRT Wednesday

[Hoopty]

Now is a good time to apply. The city is trying to put between 35-40 into each academy. As stated above, test is pretty straightforward. Over the next few years we will be losing a bunch of folks due to retirement. As for pay, we are at or close to the bottom. SDSO just received a contract which puts them toward the top of the pay charts. Supposedly the mayor is conducting a compensation study to see where we are at.

It's a good department.. Yes we have had a few idiots tarnish the badge. The other 99.9 are good hard working folks. Pm me if you want more insight..

Bruce

[Jayruta]

Thank you for the tips. I'm taking my written test this Saturday. Wish me luck!

[Harris33]

I just got hired by them, PM me and I'll tell you how it goes.

[Tacit Blue]

Enjoy the Academy Ruta if you get hired!

Miramar Regional Academy, you're in for a real shock the first week. Not being a jerk. Been there, done that.

The first day in the classroom the T.O.'s come in and start yelling at all the applicants/self sponsors. They go full shark mode, which means yelling at anybody who isn't standing at attention.

The hiring process will be the least of your worries.

[Mickael81]

Be prepared to wait 6-8 months before you get an academy date. Im currently in the SDSD Detentions academy. SDPD and SDSD both attend the same regional academy at Miramar College. It is 6 months long (P.O.S.T). Detentions and courts is 3 months long.

For L.E. academy, Physical training is 3 times a week but very light and gradual.
For Detentions, Physical Training is 1-2 times a week but intense. (Insanity/CrossFit).
if you can run 10mins a mile, you can get by. You should however train in circuit/interval training.

Before the academy be prepared to shell out at least $2000 out of pocket on costs associated with the academy. You will not get paid for the first 3 weeks so manage your funds well.

Lastly, remember to be honest on your PHS and stay relevant and proactive on your background detective. They screen thousands of applicants so make sure you don't fade into the backburner.

Don't think about the pay, and don't think about quitting.

Good luck

[Tacit Blue]

Be prepared to wait 6-8 months before you get an academy date. Im currently in the SDSD Detentions academy. SDPD and SDSD both attend the same regional academy at Miramar College. It is 6 months long (P.O.S.T). Detentions and courts is 3 months long.

For L.E. academy, Physical training is 3 times a week but very light and gradual.
For Detentions, Physical Training is 1-2 times a week but intense. (Insanity/CrossFit).
if you can run 10mins a mile, you can get by. You should however train in circuit/interval training.

Before the academy be prepared to shell out at least $2000 out of pocket on costs associated with the academy. You will not get paid for the first 3 weeks so manage your funds well.

Lastly, remember to be honest on your PHS and stay relevant and proactive on your background detective. They screen thousands of applicants so make sure you don't fade into the backburner.

Don't think about the pay, and don't think about quitting.

Good luck

I know for a fact we did more PT than that. Infact, I specifically recall being lined up at 0730 in the Junior Quad area below the stairs were all the police cars are at and doing PT/facing movements under the carports almost until lunch time (1130-1230). I guess it really depends on your tac officers, the one's we had a fitness nut from SDPD. It wasn't gradual at all, infact it was a smoke session for sure. One recruit had a asthma attack during PT, they had to call for EMS.

Theres a 8-9 mile run at Miramar lake also. Sometimes they'll change it and make you recruits go up " monster hill". I do agree with Shaun T's Insanity or HIIT training will help you. You don't want to struggle, you want to be in shape before you up.

One of their favorite tactics was to punish everyone and make us run up those stairs, until we were exhausted. That sucked lol, kills your knees big time.

[Mickael81]

I know for a fact we did more PT than that. Infact, I specifically recall being lined up at 0730 in the Junior Quad area below the stairs were all the police cars are at and doing PT/facing movements under the carports almost until lunch time (1130-1230). I guess it really depends on your tac officers, the one's we had a fitness nut from SDPD. It wasn't gradual at all, infact it was a smoke session for sure. One recruit had a asthma attack during PT, they had to call for EMS.

Theres a 8-9 mile run at Miramar lake also. Sometimes they'll change it and make you recruits go up " monster hill". I do agree with Shaun T's Insanity or HIIT training will help you. You don't want to struggle, you want to be in shape before you up.

One of their favorite tactics was to punish everyone and make us run up those stairs, until we were exhausted. That sucked lol, kills your knees big time.

I'm sure P.T. for L.E. is not "easy". I am basing it on what I see at the academy and what we do for Detentions. I see the yellow shirts do exercises in the east lot with exercise balls, free weights, and even use the gym. Im sure on run days, they get murdered but it is not that hard. From what I understand, Detentions academy is more physical due to it being only 3 months, while L.E. academy is more academically demanding.

Burpees and stairs suck ***... the quad is the equivalent of the sand pit or the quarter deck in the marine corps. It only exists to find a spot and push.

Looking forward to graduating so I can start my career

[Tacit Blue]

Things must have changed. I went through in 2011, I don't recall exercise balls ??

We were getting smoked in the quad as a class, they had us hold her body up for like 3-5 mins at a time. Doing push ups, anyone who was on their knees would mean he'd have to run those stairs. Then start all over. We'd do burpees, mountain climbers,etc.

I always thought the dentetions academy was more physical due to DETAC because of the nature of jail operations.

It depends on the staff, I've heard diferent styles from other academy graduates. If one wants to focus more on academics vs PT, it's their show to run. Others run it " old school" with lots of PT and smoking.

Good luck on your career though!

[HisOwnHero]

What kind of b.s. is that? The SDPD website states that is not a high stress academy and that teamwork is promoted etc. Basically make it sound more like a touchy feeling/low key/low stress academy. Then you get hired and it turns out to be like all other high stress in your face academies. That's pretty b.s. No wonder they are losing guys left and right from the academy even.

While I think the high stress academies are the only way to go, putting it out there like some low key college course is going to attract those that are not mentally or physically ready for the challenge and waste money.

[Tacit Blue]

Yeah it is a bit " different" than what they advertise it to be. This academy has " self sponsors" mixed in with applicants hired by a agency. They really give a hard time to the " open enrollees", because you have more to prove.

I remember one female applicant blew out her knee from a smoke session. She tore a ligament and had to redo the academy. Injuries were not uncommon.

It is a great revenue generator too. Let's be honest now.

[Mickael81]

A good friend of mine is on his third month at the Riverside Sheriff's Academy. Their academy is a regional academy much like Miramar College. From what he tells me, P.T. mainly consists of running, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and other basic upper body exercises. I am told is very similar to the type of P.T. a Marine Corps Recruit goes through. He also told me that they run about 8 miles per session and when they run less than 5 miles, they run in their boots. The regional academy in Riverside seems physically more demanding. In my opinion it's pretty dumb.

The regional academy in San Diego run less miles but they make up for it with crossfit/Circuit Training. I am a good runner but I can honestly say crossfit kicked my butt. I always believed that running increased your endurance but 30mins of non stop crossfit will wear you out more than 1hr of running.

Running long miles is an old way of thinking. It increases the risk of injuries especially if done with boots. The county spends a lot of money to screen candidates and it would be a waste of time for all parties if a cadet/recruit drops out due to an injury. Furthermore, cadets/recruits are county employees during the academy and they will rate workman's comp. Unless they quit, the county has to keep them in light duty until they recover and go back to the academy.

The bottom line is that a deputy or cop is not going to run more than a mile to chase someone down. He or she will most likely struggle, handle, fight, or defend themselves against criminals and druggies. Crossfit and other similar high intensity training will increase endurance and strenght better preparing the officer for the jails or the streets.

I think what SD is doing is very smart. In my opinion what Riverside is doing is still very old school.
Im just a Cadet right now but I have served many years as a Marine and I have been in private security for nuclear power plants for 8yrs. I appropriate the enviroment at Miramar college.