I Passed!

[midcoaster]

I just received the letter in the mail today, telling me that I passed the written test for one of the agencies that I am applying to. This was the first written exam that I had ever taken and it is for Portland, the largest municipal agency in Maine. This is not an easy test to pass, in fact the human resources person made an announcement before the test stating that, the last time they tested, out of 100 people, only 50 passed. (That was a real moral booster.) I was so worried that I didn't pass. I am absolutely psyched! I know that this is only the beginning of the process, but it is one hurdle out of the way. I just wanted to let everyone know and to say thank you to all here for all that I have learned here, which I am sure was big factor in helping me to pass this test.

Have a great day.

Lisa    ;D

[T.COTE]

Lisa,

Congratulations on the written test. I know the feeling when you pass for the first time, it's real exciting.
I too applied for the test at portland. I live in the neighboring town of windham. I was told that it was only an employment eligibilty list, not a hiring list so I didn't take the test because the test date conflicted with another test date at another agency I was applying at. ( I hope you can follow that jumbled up mess  
Any way I know a couple of officers at the Portland P.D. and they told me that they have had a real hard time getting applicants that can pass both the written and physical test. I can also tell you that every agency in the state of maine is giving the same physical agility test.
The three events are push ups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile run. The events are given in that order. The requirements are based on gender and age group. They will send you a letter with the test date and what your minimums will be.
OH yeah, their is also the sit and reach but it basically works out to if you can touch your toes. That is probably the only easy one.
I have taken this test at vasselboro and got a documented score. Once you get that score from the MCJA you can forward that letter and the agency you are applying with will automatically pass you. Obviously you would want to double check with the p.d. you are applying with to make sure, but it has been my experience that you won't even need to show up.

I also know from the inside that they are crying for female officers. I wish you the best. Please reply with an update. I would like to know how the portland pd is doing.

T.COTE

[midcoaster]

Thanks for the info. T-Cote.

I should have no trouble passing the physical agility test, I run five miles, five days a week and can exceed the age and gender standards for push ups and sit ups. They made an announcement at the test, that out of the fifty that passed the written, only ten passed the physical test.    Why apply if you aren't prepared?

Portland is currently hiring for eight positions, I knew that they were hiring when I tested because I saw the announcement on their web site. Out of the over 100 that tested I was one of about only 10 females, and I could see that a few of them were most likely not going to pass the physical test.

Thanks again, and good luck to you also.

Lisa  

[cpl_mike]

Congrats!Congrats.keep up the good work! ;D ;D ;D- If you KNOW you can pass the physical agility ,better find the location and try it out for practice anyway(but don't get hurt) most of the academies here in So.Cal have a course already laid out and ready for use-prbably similar to what you will do- 40 yrd sprint,6' wall ,15' foot beam walk, parallel window obstacle , 12' chain length  gate, 1/4 mi -1.5 mi run,175 lb dummy drag-stay working out.Also  this might be the time to get practice on your oral interview skills as well as start  lining up that info for the background check-keep us all posted of the outcome.

[midcoaster]

cpl_mike,

              The only physical tests that I will have to pass are, 1.5 mile timed run, one minute timed sit ups and push ups, and the sit and reach test; I am already able to exceed all of the age and gender standards that I will be required to meet in order to pass. I have been training for this for a while. You have it rough in So. Cal    Of course if I had to do those things I would, but I am glad that no one is asking me to  ;D , although I could end up doing some variation of the tests that you mentioned as part of the academy training.  

I have been preparing for the oral interview, This seems like it will be the most intimidating part of the process, at least to me. I am also hard at work getting my background info. together; there is just so much background info. to gather at age 33.    Gotta love life experience.

Thanks so much for the congrats and advice, I really appreciate it.

Have a great day,

Lisa  

[JimCMR]

Hey Lisa;  

Congrats, I was out of town for a few days, and just saw yoir post.

My best to you, I knew you had it in you, and I feel good that I was right.

Keep up the good work.  XO

JimCMR