Post by TEJ1956 on Aug 27, 2002 0:40:53 GMT -5
TO All:
Everyone has a dream, without too much investigative work it is easy to determine that everyone who visits this site has aspirations of being a Law Enforcement Officer. I too started visiting this site, in Jan 02, for those very reasons. I had questions about the hiring, about the academy, the oral board, the polygraph test and the pscyhcological test. Without a doubt most of the answers I was seeking were right in front of me at the department were I was attempting to become an officer.
I start my FTO training next week and should have car and be on my own by Christmas. It has been a long oddessy. Since I graduated from the academy on June 21 we have been doing in house training and for the past 6 weeks we have been allowed to shadow detectives during an entire week long shift. This has been such a meaningfull and educational time. I have made my first arrest, help investigate everything from forgery through buglary to robbery. My first high speed chase was thrilling and knuckle biting rolled into one. The department allowed us to do everything from gathering evidence, taking fingerprints to interviewing suspects, all under the watchfull eye of the detective. Now on Sept 2 at 700PM, I get to start my patrol FTO. Wish me luck.
The reason I have been so long winded here is to try to let everyone who wants to experience what I have over the last 6 weeks to remember, you can't become a cop by talking about it. You have to decide quite a few things:
Where do I want to be a LEO? Then find out when they accept applications, most departments only accept them during set times each year. Get an application, fill it out completely, neatly, honestly and get it turned in on time. Then find out what and when are the prehiring tests, most require a written test, a physical skills test, an oral board, and a chief's interview.(Although these tests are used to weed out canidates) Then if you are lucky enough to be hired, you have to pass a polygraph, a psychological test (most likely written and oral by a trained psychologist), a medical physical and finally some inhouse training. Additionally, be prepared for a very extensive background check to be conducted. Either before or after hiring. The key to this, the oral board, and any paperwork is be HONEST. Some departments then require attendance at a Law Enforcement Training Academy immediately, which normally includes certification in your state after successfully passing the academy and the POST test (Police Officer Standards Test). Each of these varies by state and some certifications and POST test will transfer and qualify you in other states however some will not. My state TN certifies a graduate for our state and is accepted in Florida with no other requirements. Sorry for making this letter so long but this site has helped me and I just wanted to return something to it and all other hopefull LEOs. Lastly, start doing physical training now, the more you sweat in the gym the less you will bleed out there.
Finally, if you want it go get it.
Take care, I will reply to any emails and questions. Thanks. Officer T Johnson Clarksville, TN PD
PS T Kote give me a yell haven't heard from you in awhile.
Everyone has a dream, without too much investigative work it is easy to determine that everyone who visits this site has aspirations of being a Law Enforcement Officer. I too started visiting this site, in Jan 02, for those very reasons. I had questions about the hiring, about the academy, the oral board, the polygraph test and the pscyhcological test. Without a doubt most of the answers I was seeking were right in front of me at the department were I was attempting to become an officer.
I start my FTO training next week and should have car and be on my own by Christmas. It has been a long oddessy. Since I graduated from the academy on June 21 we have been doing in house training and for the past 6 weeks we have been allowed to shadow detectives during an entire week long shift. This has been such a meaningfull and educational time. I have made my first arrest, help investigate everything from forgery through buglary to robbery. My first high speed chase was thrilling and knuckle biting rolled into one. The department allowed us to do everything from gathering evidence, taking fingerprints to interviewing suspects, all under the watchfull eye of the detective. Now on Sept 2 at 700PM, I get to start my patrol FTO. Wish me luck.
The reason I have been so long winded here is to try to let everyone who wants to experience what I have over the last 6 weeks to remember, you can't become a cop by talking about it. You have to decide quite a few things:
Where do I want to be a LEO? Then find out when they accept applications, most departments only accept them during set times each year. Get an application, fill it out completely, neatly, honestly and get it turned in on time. Then find out what and when are the prehiring tests, most require a written test, a physical skills test, an oral board, and a chief's interview.(Although these tests are used to weed out canidates) Then if you are lucky enough to be hired, you have to pass a polygraph, a psychological test (most likely written and oral by a trained psychologist), a medical physical and finally some inhouse training. Additionally, be prepared for a very extensive background check to be conducted. Either before or after hiring. The key to this, the oral board, and any paperwork is be HONEST. Some departments then require attendance at a Law Enforcement Training Academy immediately, which normally includes certification in your state after successfully passing the academy and the POST test (Police Officer Standards Test). Each of these varies by state and some certifications and POST test will transfer and qualify you in other states however some will not. My state TN certifies a graduate for our state and is accepted in Florida with no other requirements. Sorry for making this letter so long but this site has helped me and I just wanted to return something to it and all other hopefull LEOs. Lastly, start doing physical training now, the more you sweat in the gym the less you will bleed out there.
Finally, if you want it go get it.
Take care, I will reply to any emails and questions. Thanks. Officer T Johnson Clarksville, TN PD
PS T Kote give me a yell haven't heard from you in awhile.
