Where to start?

[CrossedRifles]

I've considered law enforcement prior to starting school, and now 1 year in, I feel like a job might help me more than getting a debt from student loans.

Where do I start? I remember looking into POST before starting school. From what I can remember, I start the POST academy program, and then after graduating (or during) apply for a position in a PD.

Is it difficult to be hired after completing POST? From what I can understand there is no guarantee of employment and POST is just a certification / qualification. I'd hate to be stuck with a POST certificate and unable to be hired anywhere .

Regarding eligibility, I've been arrested before (fingerprinted only), handed to MPs, and immediately released with no charges for something stupid. Can this severely impact my eligibility to be an LEO? I've have no run-ins with the law, no misdemeanors, no felonies.

PT-wise, how hard is the academy? I had 90 push-ups / 77 sit-ups / 15:00 2 Mile for my APFT a year ago. Running is my bane and I'm pretty sure I would even have trouble running a 16:30 now. Flat footed... Are the running requirements tight for the academy?

Do Veterans get any sort of preference?

Will research some more and apply for POST if this is a possible choice.

Thank you for any advice and guidance.

[mixicus]

POST certifies programs at the academies (and other things). POST does not run any academies. They are ran either by an agency (CHP, LAPD, OCSD, etc.) or a community college (Fullerton, Golden West, Rio Hondo, etc). If you want info on any particular academy go to that academy’s website or call them.

Agencies will hire “recruit”, “academy trained”, and “lateral”. Recruit is candidates that have no LE training and must go through an academy. Academy trained is candidates that have successfully completed an approved academy. Laterals are those that are already employed officers/deputies (typically off probation too).

You can self-sponsor to an academy or if hired as a “recruit” by an agency will put you through. You may look into using veteran programs (GI Bill or CalVet) you are eligible to pay for the academy. Your POST academy certificate is valid for 3 years after graduation if you are not employed as an LEO. Sponsored recruits are paid and have the costs paid for by their agency.

How hard is it to get a job? Well, it’s better than it’s been in recent years however it’s highly competitive. There are many applicants for each posted slot including laterals. The applicant pool will have people with some or all of the following: college degrees, military experience, language skills, and work/life experience. The more of those that you can check off the better position you will be in.

Many agencies like hiring academy grads. If you have already graduated, you aren’t going to quit in the middle of the academy. You are also somebody that can go into the dept training program (FTO) immediately instead of waiting 26 weeks to finish an academy. It shows a commitment to the career as opposed to waking up one morning and deciding to be a cop.

As for eligibility, take a look at Peace Officer Candidate Information on the CA POST website. You’ll see the disqualifier is convictions (not arrests) for felonies and certain misdemeanors.

Veterans preference…a formal preference in the process dependent on the specific agency. Typically, you will find vets are looked upon favorably by most LE agencies. All other things being equal, having served your country likely will put you over the top. Keep in mind an agency may be looking for other skills or backgrounds too (i.e. languages).

[mixicus]

Thoughts on PT I've posted in other threads:

POST minimums shouldn't be your concern. 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, mountain 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). 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.

If your likely academy (or associated community college) has one the pre-academy prep class. It will show you what to expect in many areas of the academy including PT.

[jdubs71]

Mixicus pretty much summed it up. As far as your arrest if it is theft related forget about going into law enforcement. If it is alcohol/Drug related it may be wise to finish college to let a few years of walking the straight and narrow go by to show you have matured. If you were an a-hole to the MP's that won't look good either. Also, many agencies will pay up to 5% with a BA and it allows you to get you advanced post cert faster which also pays up to 5% more. I recommend finishing college prior, i wish i would've because trying to finish 10 years later as a full time cop sucks.

[CrossedRifles]

Thank you for all the advice.

Mixicus pretty much summed it up. As far as your arrest if it is theft related forget about going into law enforcement. If it is alcohol/Drug related it may be wise to finish college to let a few years of walking the straight and narrow go by to show you have matured. If you were an a-hole to the MP's that won't look good either. Also, many agencies will pay up to 5% with a BA and it allows you to get you advanced post cert faster which also pays up to 5% more. I recommend finishing college prior, i wish i would've because trying to finish 10 years later as a full time cop sucks.

No theft, drug, or alcohol related, was cooperative and didn't cause any trouble.

And good points regarding the BA. I'm guessing it's similar to the Army where if you have some college / degree you start as an E-4 with higher pay grade?

Then I will probably consider finishing a degree before I begin the POST program. Thanks for your time and helping me out.

[mixicus]

I highly recommend getting your degree before jumping into the career. Going back is rough when you are working full time. Remember, you are likely going to be working nights and weekends for a while. By the time you are ready to go get your degree life maybe getting busy too (i.e. family). The degree is another check box in the application pool and may put you in a shorter stack of apps. A BA/BS will give you more pay at most agencies. It will also allow you to get your intermediate and advanced POST certificates faster (some agencies attach more pay to the certs too). The degree will give you plenty of opportunity to develop your writing skills.

As for what degree, get it in a field that interests you and/or that you could make a career with if LE doesn't work out for you. The degree could also help you get a more interesting job (compared to fry cook or petroleum dispensing specialist) while applying for LE positions. CJ is not a big plus for PD/SD employment. Just about any degree will help and all of them get you the extra money.

[IlDuche]

Without getting too personal, what part of CA do you live in?

PT testing for my dept is twice a year. 1.5 miles in under.....12 min I think if under 35. 35 pushups, forget how many sit ups. And a stretch test. Heck maybe its just pushups, run, stretch, body fat test for regular patrol.

For a "specialized unit" like I'm in (not trying to b*** myself, just referencing) its 1.5 miles in under 12, 35 continuous pushups, 60 sit ups in 2 min, 5 pull ups, stretch measurement, body fat, done every 2 months.

If you were arrested but no UCMJ charges filed then yea, it'll come up in backgrounds, but isn't a deal breaker by any means. Depends more on angecy and BI than anything. Same goes for drug/alcohol use.

[CrossedRifles]

Cypress, which is one of the departments I'm interested in. But in reality I'd take just about anywhere. Can even move out of state. (If POST is not only for California) I don't know if I have the right to be picky about my choices especially in a competitive environment, haha.

[Just-in]

I've considered law enforcement prior to starting school, and now 1 year in, I feel like a job might help me more than getting a debt from student loans.

Where do I start? I remember looking into POST before starting school. From what I can remember, I start the POST academy program, and then after graduating (or during) apply for a position in a PD.

Is it difficult to be hired after completing POST? From what I can understand there is no guarantee of employment and POST is just a certification / qualification. I'd hate to be stuck with a POST certificate and unable to be hired anywhere .

Regarding eligibility, I've been arrested before (fingerprinted only), handed to MPs, and immediately released with no charges for something stupid. Can this severely impact my eligibility to be an LEO? I've have no run-ins with the law, no misdemeanors, no felonies.

PT-wise, how hard is the academy? I had 90 push-ups / 77 sit-ups / 15:00 2 Mile for my APFT a year ago. Running is my bane and I'm pretty sure I would even have trouble running a 16:30 now. Flat footed... Are the running requirements tight for the academy?

Do Veterans get any sort of preference?

Will research some more and apply for POST if this is a possible choice.

Thank you for any advice and guidance.

Here is my input as an applicant.

Having a degree even an associates will help. Many other applicants do not posses a degree, and it will put you ahead of many. It shows initiative, also many agencies require a minimum number of units to even apply.

Having a POST certificate of completion opens more doors for agencies you can apply for.

I feel it is still difficult to get hired after completing a POST academy because of the sheer number of applicants as well as laterals.

As far as the arrest what I've been told is what makes the difference is time and what you have done since then, and I learned this from talking to BI's some here on CGN. I have never been arrested but I have heard of people being arrested and hired.

I have tested with 19 agencies and got concerned why I have not been hired. I have been told by officers where I work now that it really isn't that many, I assume the timing just is not right.

Many agencies do offer veterans preference points, it also helps to sell what you learned during your service during your oral board as well as any other interactions within the agency you test for. It is likely people you meet serve as well now you have something in common...

You may want to consider as well while you go to school working part time for a PD to get your foot in the door and learn a little more. Most departments have non sworn staff that work records, animal control, parking enforcement etc. I'm doing this right now and enjoy it a lot though I do need to keep a second job to support myself. The interaction with the community and sworn staff has opened my eyes to a lot of things I did not understand as well before. Having the opportunity to ride-a-long frequently and ask questions to officers who have been in my shoes I feel is a great asset. I hope that demonstrating I can work within a department and represent it as a professional in the public eye helps as well. Besides if it is what you really want to do with your life if you are like me you will enjoy being able to do whatever you can even if it is not your dream job. I took a pay cut and left a position as a supervisor to wear light blue not just to get my foot in the door but because I figured I would enjoy it and I do.

Thank you for your service and good luck.

[mixicus]

Most other states recognize CA POST training but usually require a state specific "update" training for laterals. The training varies in length but usually several weeks. I do not know if the same applies for academy grads/new hires (zero LE experience).

If you were going to relocate to another state you would likely be better off going to an academy in that state.

[Che762x39]

I've considered law enforcement prior to starting school, and now 1 year in, I feel like a job might help me more than getting a debt from student loans.

Where do I start? ...

In school? Work at Starbucks like all the other college students. LE is a great career if you have an aptitude for it. Most people do not and that is my opinion after 30+ years.

[mixicus]

As for jobs and education...combine both. Work as a non-sworn employee at OCSD or a PD while attending school for your BA/BS. The positions go by different titles such as police service officer, police cadet, community service officer, police aide,... This would also give you some insight to the career and exposure to a dept. May make the difference getting hired as a known quantity or at least help with a good recommendation from some one in the field.

Most depts have them but try some of the bigger depts in OC like OCSD, Anaheim and Santa Ana or the PD at your college (CSUx or UCy) for those slots.

[CBR_rider]

I've considered law enforcement prior to starting school, and now 1 year in, I feel like a job might help me more than getting a debt from student loans.

Where do I start? I remember looking into POST before starting school. From what I can remember, I start the POST academy program, and then after graduating (or during) apply for a position in a PD.

As has been already stated; some agencies will pick you up before the academy and send you to a "third party," POST certified academy. Others will pick you up beforehand in some kind of cadet/CSO role and may subsequently send you to an academy. Yet others have their own academies and will send you to their own. If you have access to the GI Bill; that should take care of the academy/training portions.

Is it difficult to be hired after completing POST? From what I can understand there is no guarantee of employment and POST is just a certification / qualification. I'd hate to be stuck with a POST certificate and unable to be hired anywhere .

The job climate is getting better; especially if you are willing to move. Just got my PORAC magazine; Chula Vista, Novato, Santa Rosa, and BART to name a few were advertising in there.

Regarding eligibility, I've been arrested before (fingerprinted only), handed to MPs, and immediately released with no charges for something stupid. Can this severely impact my eligibility to be an LEO? I've have no run-ins with the law, no misdemeanors, no felonies.

It certainly won't help; but assuming it wasn't last week I doubt it'll be much of a hurdle.

PT-wise, how hard is the academy? I had 90 push-ups / 77 sit-ups / 15:00 2 Mile for my APFT a year ago. Running is my bane and I'm pretty sure I would even have trouble running a 16:30 now. Flat footed... Are the running requirements tight for the academy?

I would put some serious work into your run then... The better shape you are in physically means the more effort (in the academy) you can put into your bookwork (which is a huge part of the academy). As already suggested; once you have an idea of the academy you would likely go to (or maybe even before..) check into a pre-academy conditioning class if one is available

Do Veterans get any sort of preference?

Yes; but in my academy class they were also expected to help out with class leadership at the beginning more than the other cadets. If you act like a goof/lazy in the academy and they know you are a vet I would bank on kissing any good feedback from the academy to inquiring agencies goodbye

Will research some more and apply for POST if this is a possible choice.

As far as completing school/entering academy; thats up to you. I quit school and did the academy. I went back to school once I was off probation and finished my degree. It was definitely tough; but in my case worth it. I got an agency to pay for my academy/pay me to go, got my career started ahead of many of my peers, and was able to finish school making alot more money/not going into debt. A degree can help you get a job (especially in some Bay Area/So. Cal agencies) or help you promote; however, you can still be a heckuva cop without one. I would suggest if you are already in school to at least complete your AA; that will give you a bit of an advantage and a head start should you decide you want to promote in your career. If you are not set on the career though; I'd get some serious time doing ride alongs, volunteer work, part time job, etc before setting up a game plan to enter law enforcement work. I love my job (most days); but I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone.

Thank you for any advice and guidance.

Answers in bold