Do You Get Paid To Go To The Police Academy
Training is demanding. It requires long hours in the classroom and field, plus outside studying. Thankfully, officers typically receive their full starting salary during training. Its also common to receive a raise after successfully completing academy training. If you can make it through, youll deserve it.
Find Your Military Bearing Fast
You and your new academy classmates will most likely be ordered to immediately get into formation and to do it quickly. Some of your fellow recruits will probably have prior military experience and they will respond immediately and without confusion. Your best bet is to find the spot where everyone is forming up and just fall in with them.
Line up so you’re even with the person to your right, an arm’s length away. Come to the position of attention with your thumbs along the seams of your trousers, chin up, eyes forward and feet at a 45-degree angle.
Don’t move from this position unless and until you’re told to do so. Don’t look around and don’t move your hands or head. And don’t lock your knees. If you do, you’ll faint…and you won’t be the first one.
What Is A Police Academy
A police academy is an education center that trains recruits to become police officers. These institutions focus on both the physical and academic aspects of police work. Police academies put recruits through physically exhausting and mentally taxing schedules to build disciplined officers who can handle the responsibilities of the police force, similar to a military basic training program.
Related:How to Become a Police Officer
You May Like: How Many Police Officers Die Each Year
Applying To The Academy
When Did The Union County Police Academy Open
Justice CENTER The Academy opened in 1946 and moved to its current location in 1991. Five years earlier, in 1986, it entered into an enduring working relationship with the Union County Prosecutors Office, which continues to have its assistant prosecutors and detectives teach recruit training courses in many different disciplines.
You May Like: How To Become A Detective In The Police Force
Ensure A Career As A Police Officer Is Right For You
As with any job, its important to take a hard look at what the position requires to determine whether the career path is really right for you. Not only is it important to consider the career in general, its also important to look at the education required, the on-the-job intensity that police officers might experience on a day-to-day basis, and other factors. Its also a good idea to consider advancement if you have an eye toward higher-level administrative or federal work, is becoming a police officer the best stepping stone? Here are some questions to ask before diving into training to become a police officer.
- Do I have the physical strength to restrain dangerous individuals or save innocent civilians?
- Can I effectively read peoples emotions and feelings, in particular when it comes to assessing an individuals credibility and danger to others?
- Can I make difficult decisions that often have no ideal outcomes?
- Am I comfortable taking on a leadership role, whether it be as a community resource or point of assurance during a crisis?
- Am I good at communicating with others, especially in high stress situations?
If you answered yes to these questions, you may be an excellent fit for a police officer career.
Equivalency Of Training Process
This process is intended for out-of-state officers, federal or military officers, and previously certified Florida officers with a four-year or more break in service pursuant to section 943.131. An officer cannot have more than an 8-year break in service in order to be eligible for this process. The Equivalency of Training Process allows an officer to be exempt from the full basic recruit academy.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Worked for at least one year as a full time sworn officer in the discipline that you are seeking
- Attended an academy comparable to Floridaâs basic recruit full-time academy or
- Were previously certified in Florida
Once approved, you will receive an Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.
You will then need to demonstrate proficiency in the high liability areas and pass the state certification exam in the same discipline within 1-year of receipt of the approved Equivalency of Training CJSTC Form 76.
You can attend the 92-hour high liability courses at the following local locations:
Miami-Dade Police Academyâ Main Number 305-715-5000
You must take and successfully complete your State Officer Certification Exam We process EOTs here at Broward College but currently do not offer any of the courses needed to complete the EOT. In addition, your $295.00 processing fee does not include the high-liability courses you must demonstrate proficiency in or your State Officer Certification Exam. Those are additional fees.
Read Also: Can Police Find Your Location On Cell Phone
Stop Training Police Like Theyre Joining The Military
If policing is to change, the spotlight must turn toward police academies, where new recruits are first inculcated into the folkways of their profession.
About the author: Rosa Brooks is a law professor at Georgetown University and a former Defense Department official. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City.
When I entered the Washington, D.C., police academy in 2016 as a recruit officer in the districts volunteer police reserve corps, I quickly discovered that I was joining a paramilitary organization. My classmates and I practiced drill and formation, stood at attention when senior officials entered the room, and were grilled on proper boot-polishing methods. Brilliantly shined boots are a hallmark of police uniforms, an instructional handout informed us. They indicate devotion to duty and attention to the smallest detail You are required to maintain boots that are polished to a luster In the most exceptional cases boots can be shined so that a persons reflection may be seen in the finish. We had instructors who rolled their eyes at this sort of thing, but we also had instructors who seemed to be channeling the Marine drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket, bawling insults and punishing minor infractions with sets of push-ups.
Programs In The Police Academy
When you decide to pursue your career by going through the police academy, you will learn relevant skills based on your goals and the needs of the police. The academy trains in criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms safety, first aid, policing, and related topics. The exact standards and programs available through the police academy depend on the state. Each state sets different standards for the programs, so you will want to evaluate the details for your state to determine the training you can expect.
Keep in mind that you will also go through physical training as part of your studies. The physical training focuses on helping you pass the physical fitness test when you complete the program.
Recommended Reading: How To Find Out If Someone’s In Police Custody
What Are The Different Police Academies
There are two distinct types of police academies. In either academy, you can decide to enroll without first being hired, though you will have to pay tuition to attend. If you enroll without first being hired, you can apply to be a police officer after receiving your certification, but they may ask you to complete an additional training course.
The two types of police academies are:
-
Police-run academy: In a police-run academy, recruits are typically new hires to a police force going through basic training before starting the job. If this is the case, the recruits earn their starting salary while attending the police academy. Since the recruits are law enforcement employees, not students, these academies are often more intensely disciplined.
Tip : Become Addicted To Working Out
Now I know addicted is a strong word to use here, but I mean just that. Get used to working out often. The academy has a physically intense workout program and being used to working out before showing up the first day will make a world of difference.
I suggest starting a few months before the academy begins and get used to working out five days a week. Concentrate on cardio as this seems to be what the academy concentrated on the most. Start waking up an hour earlier each day and going on a run, then come home and eat breakfast afterwards. Power through the first two weeks of this schedule and it will become your morning routine.
It honestly becomes like a cup of coffee in the morning, its what gets your day started. Before you know it, youll be seeing improvements in your time, speed, and effort you need to put forth to finish your run. Start with a one mile run, then add a half mile or so every 3 running days. Consistency here is key, no excuses on why you cant run today. That will not fly at the academy, so dont train the way prior to the academy.
At the academy we got up to about a six mile run near the end. This is very doable dont underestimate how your body can adapt. The human body is amazingly flexible and adaptable to whatever demands are put on it. Its just up to you to consistently put the demands on it and you will see improvements. Your body is a tool, use it and make your time in the academy physical training program a breeze.
Recommended Reading: How To File A Credit Card Fraud Police Report
Education Requirements To Become A Police Officer
Students can begin preparing for the police academy while in high school. Electives such as criminology, legal studies, physical education, sociology and psychology are helpful for aspiring police officers. In addition, police academy admissions officers may look for applicants who have completed college coursework in criminal justice or law enforcement. Some academies prefer candidates who hold an associateâs or bachelorâs degree in one of those fields.
Get Accepted & Paying Your Way
Admission requirements can vary widely depending on the type of program and institution offering it. Another consideration is how to pay for this education and training. During your application process, keep the following pointers in the back of your mind to help you get into the best program to meet your needs and goals as a future police officer.
Entrance requirements
Entry into various degree programs in law enforcement will all require some general points, such as completing an application, paying an application fee and presenting proof of high school graduation.
The associate degree program might require:
- A personal statement
- Transcripts from any other college courses taken
The bachelors degree might require additional information:
- An essay
- Transcripts from associate degree work
- Completion of certain prerequisites
- A resume of related experience
Application process & fees
Paying for Your Program
How much a training or educational program costs depends greatly upon the degree level you want to obtain. For instance, obtaining an associate degree will cost much less than a bachelors degree will. To learn more about financial aid options and how those will affect your financial bottom line, visit our online financial aid handbook:
Step 4
Don’t Miss: What Requirements Do You Need To Be A Police Officer
Signing Up For The Police Academy Means Hard Days Ahead
Besides the academic requirements, recruits have to be proficient in several areas considered to be high liabilities. These subjects include firearms, defensive tactics, first aid, and vehicle operations. The high liability courses involve long and grueling days.
Recruits may spend hot summer days outside on the firearms range, or they may sweat it out on the mats in defensive tactics. Due to the intensity of the training, injuries are common.
You May Like: Do I Need A Degree To Be A Police Officer
Impress At Your Police Officer Interview
Many hopeful applicants will be offered an interview during the hiring process. This is an opportunity to get to know you on a personal level, and sometimes that can be enough to land you that coveted job. Here are some questions you might encounter during that interview:
Lets keep in touch
Stay up-to-date with the latest education, training, and career trends.
Read Also: How To Lookup A Police Report By Case Number
Police Training Program Requirements
After gaining acceptance into the police academy, recruits participate in classroom and practical instruction. They learn state laws, criminal investigations, patrol procedures, firearms training, traffic control, defensive driving, self-defense, first aid and computer skills. Police academy recruits also undertake physical training and fieldwork that demonstrates their comprehension of classroom instruction. Field exercises include investigating mock criminal scenes, directing traffic, operating police vehicles, arrest techniques, using firearms, fingerprinting and interrogation methods. Police academy training usually takes 22-27 weeks to complete.
Improving Body Strength Though Push
Push-ups are another part of the police fitness test. The HPD test requires 25 continuous pushups. In order for a push-up to count during the test, the candidate must use proper form and the chest must briefly touch the floor.
To foster proper form for push-ups, arms should be held close to the body and core stomach muscles should be tightened. There are many different types of push-ups that increase arm and chest strength:
Incline push-ups performed by placing your hands on a stable platform higher than the ground. Start with leaning on a wall, bed, or sturdy table and work your way down to a surface about 6 inches off the ground.
- Wide inclined push-ups performed by holding the hands in a wider position than shoulder width.
- Weighted push-ups performed by wearing a weighted vest.
- Wide push-ups performed by placing the hands outside shoulder width during each push-up.
- Diamond push-ups performed by placing the hands on the floor to form a diamond between the index fingers and thumbs during each push-up.
All of these push-up exercises strengthen the upper and lower body, especially the chest area. They also strengthen core muscles.
Candidates should start by doing 100 push-ups a day. I recommend that you start with finding the maximum number of push-ups you can do at one time. Over time, start to increase the number each day until you can do 25-30 push-ups at one time and repeat the exercise over time until you have accomplished 100 push-ups a day.
Read Also: Can You Be A Part Time Police Officer
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer
There are currently no federal standards for becoming a police officer, so each state decides its own minimum requirements. However, recruits can expect to spend between six and eight months in basic training. This can mean anywhere from 320 hours to 800 hours of physical training and academic classes. However, academies may offer different courses and more or fewer required hours depending on which state they’re in.
Other Academy Test Requirements
The Houston Police Department exam includes some additional tests such as making a vertical jump of 16.5 inches over your original height. To prepare for the vertical jump test and build elastic energy , practice jump exercises such as:
- Jumping on and off a box
- Jump squats for explosive movements
- Deadlifts
- Bulgarian bench split squats
Finally, the test involves pulling the trigger of a firearm with both hands. The trigger pull is considered one of the easier aspects of the test. To improve hand strength, use a handgrip device, squeeze a ball, or hold a dumbbell in each hand.
In policy academy physical fitness tests, all performance standards must be met to pass the test there are no exceptions. The key is to start training early for each part of the test.
If it is hard to meet the requirement for one or more parts of the test, tailor workouts to gradually increase in difficulty until you can meet and exceed standards. Success at the police academy requires working out and eating a healthy diet to improve your overall physical fitness.
About the Author: Matthew Loux has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and has a background in fraud and criminal investigation, as well as hospital, school and network security. Matt has researched and studied law enforcement and security best practices for the past 10 years. To contact him, email . For more articles featuring insight from industry experts, subscribe to In Public Safetys bi-monthly newsletter.
Recommended Reading: Can You Sue A Police Department