Police Academy

[Diamondback]

No advice to give, but wishing you Good Hunting--remember, as a retired fighter pilot who took me under his wing in college said, "You make your own luck!"

Also, as the good Sgt. Esterhaus used to say...

[Moose-Knuckle]

When it comes to PT, do your part to pass the run times but don't try to set any records.

You'll have to beat your best times down the line so keep that in mind.

[ThirdWatcher]

A lot of good advice in this thread. It’s all about INTEGRITY. When I went through the Academy (1979) it was all I could do to keep up (that’s the way it was designed to be, the theory being we would retain more). The temptation would be to cheat, something they were watching for. I never cheated but I did learn the value of being in a good study group.

The other thing is there is a reason why we were born with two ears but only one mouth. There is a lot to learn in a short period of time and they are only teaching you enough to keep you alive and out of trouble until you learn the job. Don’t be the guy who messes up every break by asking questions at the end of class (i.e. “that guy”).

God Speed!

[dwhitehorne]

Congrats!

Don't go out to bars with friends that are going to go "Hey my buddy here is in the police academy!". You have to hold yourself to a higher standard for the rest of your career starting RIGHT NOW!

^^^This is the best advise in the thread. We loose more recruits doing stupid stuff off duty than any other category combined. Like don't get a Speeding/Reckless Driving ticket going to the Academy because you are running late.

Always give your max effort even when you don't feel like it and you will do fine. Good luck. David

[Boy Scout]

Thanks. The academy is 26 weeks, 6 months FTO, 2 more weeks back at the academy and then a year of probationary. I am probably in the best shape of my life now minus coming short of my fastest mile time (7 minutes at fastest and now at 8). Working on knocking that down now but that prior Infantry life put work on my knees haha. I've heard similar range stories. A lot of young people were in the process; makes me feel old at 29. A few other vets too so that will hopefully be beneficial.

This answers the question I had as to which academy you were attending

Follow the advice in the thread, and hit me up when you're done, I'm in your AO and can help answer a lot of questions you may have after you get released. Hit me up if you need a K9 search!

[26 Inf]

Three things that get cops fired.

Money, booze, and women.

While you are in the Academy be a hermit. Don’t go to the bar. Don’t go clubbing. Do low key things and study your ass off. The two biggest things that got guys booted from my Academy were test failures and doing dumb shit out on the town.

We called them the 'Three B's' - Broads, Booze, Bribes

[lowprone]

Civilians are not your enemy.

[Det-Sog]

Not much to add here, as most of the high points have already been covered.

Law-enforcement is a very political career. The best advice I was ever given came from my senior detective partner who had been in the business upwards of 30 years... “Son, remember that the feet you step on today, just might be connected to the @$$ that you have to kiss tomorrow”.

From me... Never let your guard down when you’re working. There is no such thing as routine traffic stop, or a routine domestic violence call. Watch the freaking hands!

Especially nowadays, no matter where you go or what you do, you are going to be on some type of electronic surveillance. Exercise common sense, and you will have a long rewarding career. Don’t do nuttin’ dumb. A lot of good people have been fired over the years for doing something stupid in one short period of time by letting their emotions take over instead of letting good judgment prevail.

The brotherhood you will experience in your new career will rival anything seen in the military. I’m envious. I went through the Academy back when we still qualified with wheel guns, and the cars had whip antennas with no computers in them. Fortunately, the dinosaurs had just gone extinct back then. It’s a new world now. Be careful. Don’t forget to have a little fun along the way. It’s a great career.

[Vandal]

Never, I mean never, compromise your integrity. Some days, your integrity is all you have. They will test it at the academy, just to see who breaks.

Study groups are going to be a huge help retaining the information you're about to be fed by fire hose. If you have questions don't let them go unanswered, find it or find someone who can help you find it. Be prepared for your academy staff to not just feed you answers, start working those detection skills.

Help those in your class who need it. Policing is a team, contact sport. Help each other out, without cheating.

Watch their hands, start now. Hands will kill you.

[Endur]

Thanks men. For sure will be watching hands. Have to do that now in my current job. I should have inferred that money was in regards to bribes haha. For sure will not be compromising my integrity. I don't now, and will not ever. That virtue of mine rubs many people the wrong way I am sure.

This answers the question I had as to which academy you were attending

Follow the advice in the thread, and hit me up when you're done, I'm in your AO and can help answer a lot of questions you may have after you get released. Hit me up if you need a K9 search!

Thanks. Who are you with?