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Post by lich on Sept 5, 2002 21:48:39 GMT -5
Hey, everyone. My ego bruising from failing my last physical test has pretty well healed. I receieved my application today for the Newark, DE police department. It's a relatively small department, at fifty-three maximum officers.
I also had my first real workout today since my failure. Turns out I didn't fall out of shape much at all. My new job has kept me very physically active. I deliver spring water in five gallon jugs to homes and offices. Let me tell you, with a forty pound weight over my shoulder, and one held by the spout in my right hand, I am getting a workout all day long. I often put out two to three tons of water a day. And all those stairs... hehe, I thought my quads were strong before! Oh, and my grip strength? I can hold my own against those whose friendly handshakes involve an attempt at crushing your hand.
Of course, my first love and top goal is to get a LE job. I was offered a job in Corrections last month, but I declined due to working conditions, low salary, and the protesting corrections officers outside the job fair. They were upset at the state's decision to pour money into recruitment, instead of salary raises.
Anyway, I'll be sure to keep you all posted as to the outcome of my efforts. Thanks to the admin staff for keeping this site going. It's great!
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Post by lich on Sept 12, 2002 20:41:14 GMT -5
Hey, I have a little update for anyone who's interested:
I sent in my application this week, and today was invited to take the written test next month.
I also beat the standard on the 1.5 mile run today. I had been borderline for a while, but today I beat it by over thirty seconds. I think the weather and my motivation helped greatly.
I'm feeling pretty good about my chances this time.
Does anyone have any tips for improving visual memory? I don't test well in the area, but I can remember things when I need to.
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Post by sporto on Sept 12, 2002 21:51:13 GMT -5
Nice work Lich. Keep up the hard work and don't give up. I am on my fifth LE application and it just gets easier with time. Some departments want to see that you have applied a couple of times to make sure you are really keen for the job. Feels great to beat the 1.5mile mark doesn't it??!! Keep us posted!
Sporto
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Post by Drakor on Sept 12, 2002 22:11:08 GMT -5
 Everyone is different but this helps me with visual memory as far as numbers. As you ride down the road look at tags and billboards with phone numbers. At a glance then repeat the numbers and letters you saw. It may also help to repeat the numbers in reverse. This really helps me with my short term memmory but don't ask me what the number is a half hour latter. As far as pictures are concern try finding the mistakes that movies make. If you look hard enough you'll see them, this also works for TV shows. After a while this will become second nature and you drive your loved ones nuts. Great news about your improvements. I can speak from the heart. I'm sort of in the same boat. My main motivation was joining the force but after a while I realized I was giving them too much credit. After losing 45 pounds and feeling great and looking great and in general have a great bill of health I realized I'm doing it for me and if in the process I get hired thats great too. If I don't then I still will keep myself going with my new found better health. 
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ace13
New Member
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Post by ace13 on Sept 13, 2002 5:41:54 GMT -5
I improved my visual memory with license plates by associating the license plate with something. For example. If the license plate (in Canada) was BDD 344, then I would think "Bad Drunk Driver 344". I always look at license plates while driving and see if I can remember certain ones later. As well, I practised looking at some mugshots on police sights and seeing if I could remember what they looked like a half hour later. I picked out different parts of their face and concentrated on the features that stood out. I think practice will help you improve. Good luck! Ace13  |
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Post by lich on Oct 20, 2002 19:53:17 GMT -5
Hey, everyone! I took my written test yesterday. Here's what I found out:
93 people qualified to take the exam.
70 people showed up.
The top 35 passing scores will be offered interviews.
The interview will be scored, and the combined scores will be used to determine the top 20 candidates, who will go through background investigations and take the physical exam.
There are five positions to be filled. The training will be held at the Delaware State Police Academy and will last for eighteen weeks. State trooper candidates live at the academy and train for six months, while the municipal candidates will not live at the academy.
Ok, I took the test, and I killed it. I'm sure I achieved over a 90 (out of 100). There were a lot of candidates there who had the look (including one retired NYPD officer who just impressed the hell out of me. I'm pretty sure he'll get an appointment if he gets through the process). Plenty of applicants wore their volunteer firefighter shirts or seasonal police department clothing. I think they were trying a little too hard to impress the officers on scene (including the Chief).
I also noticed about a 10% turnout for women, in case anyone wonders. Most of the candidates were white.
The test itself was pretty straightforward. I was given a study guide to read. It had traffic law information and definitions, police work descriptions and sample candidate qualifications, and missing persons/wanted suspect information. I was given 25 minutes to memorize as much of the information as I could, and I was then tested on it. That was about half the test. There was a vocabulary section, a comprehension section, and a reasoning section. I took about an hour to finish the test, and I had an hour and a half to do it in. Maybe ten people finished before me. I'm usually the first one done. Hey, I'd rather be accurate than fast.
I'll find out this week how well I did on the test and whether I will be offered an interview. I'll update you as soon as I know.
Wish me luck.
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Post by lich on Oct 23, 2002 16:14:36 GMT -5
Hey, I just scheduled my interview! It will be on 11/11.
I scored an 84% on the test. Not bad for my first try. Still, I worry about how well the other applicants scored. I guess I'll need to pull off something miraculous at the interview to get to the top of the list.
Anyone have any interview tips or suggestions? How about common questions? I'd love to be able to impress the board when the time comes.
Thanks for your help.
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Everyone is different but this helps me with visual memory as far as numbers. As you ride down the road look at tags and billboards with phone numbers. At a glance then repeat the numbers and letters you saw. It may also help to repeat the numbers in reverse. This really helps me with my short term memmory but don't ask me what the number is a half hour latter. As far as pictures are concern try finding the mistakes that movies make. If you look hard enough you'll see them, this also works for TV shows. After a while this will become second nature and you drive your loved ones nuts. 
