Joining The Police Academy: Thinking Ahead

If you're considering joining the police academy, you have some choices to make. You can either become what's called "sponsored" or "pre-service." Sponsored simply means a police department has hired you and is paying for you to complete the police academy. Pre-service means you are paying out of pocket, with no guarantee of having a job. The sponsored cadets do have a job once they complete the academy successfully.

Police Academy Costs

Of course most of us would rather not pay ourselves to attend the police academy. Costs can easily exceed the $5000 mark just to get in. There's no guarantee you'll even find a job once you graduate, and you will not be paid while attending the academy. The kicker is you really cannot work even a part time job while attending the police academy because its so demanding on your body and time. Homework is bad enough while at home let alone resting from the daily workouts.

Most people today are not fortunate enough to get sponsored by police departments, and here's why

Police departments have figured out that there are more supply then demand when it comes to police officers available, so why would they flip the bill? There's a thousand other guys trying for the same spot that have sponsored themselves, or were pre-service, or even experienced police officers from other departments. Not only does it save the department money, it also shows the department that the officer must be serious since he or she has sponsored themselves through the academy. This isn't to say that you cannot get sponsored, its just to view things from the department's standpoint.

How to get sponsored by a police department

One of the best ways to get sponsored by a police department is becoming a reserve for the department. As a reserve police officer, you actually ride along with the police in the police car, in full uniform, carrying a gun, writing tickets, going to calls, etc. The only difference is you're not getting paid. However, you're gaining valuable experience which some say is the best experience possible. The problem is not all departments have a reserve program, and even the ones that do don't always sponsor their reserves. I've known reserves that had put in 5 or more years and still were not sponsored. There is no requirement on the police department to sponsor their reserves. However, it is one of the best experiences you can put on your resume, and you always have a chance of getting sponsored by the department. But just remember, if the department you're acting as a police reserve for likes you, really likes you I should say, there's a strong chance you could get sponsored and hired by the department.

What to expect once you're in the Police Academy

Most academies run for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday just like a full time job. There will of course be a curriculum to follow but generally speaking you can expect 6 to 7 hours of in-class training on various subjects like Criminal Law, Accident Investigation, Elements Of Arrest, etc. For the other 1 to 2 hours of training a day, you will be active in physical fitness and practicing defense tactics, take down techniques, sparring, etc. Most recruits are physically exhausted on a daily basis, especially in the beginning stages. I can remember my arms literally shaking when I was leaving at times. So when you're in the academy, its important to get a lot of sleep, eat right, and take it very seriously. Don't go out and get drunk, don't stay up all night, etc., get your sleep.

While in the police academy, you will also be required to take a series of tests, both for in-class and tests required by your state. The state tests are mandatory that you pass, and most allow one chance to re-take each test if you fail it the first time. The state tests are spread throughout the academy, and there are about 5 or 6 tests you will have to pass (i.e., Legal, First Aid, Firearms, etc.). I've seen people disappear from the academy after failing a test. They were half way through the academy, or even in the last month. But if you don't pass one of the state tests, you're done, period. Take it seriously, you only have one shot.

The Mindset at the Police Academy

A Police Academy by nature is designed to be set up in a military format. This means you can expect the yelling in your face, or treating you badly in the beginning stages. Its purpose is to break you down and then build you back up. Don't take this stuff to heart, and don't try to fight it. Just listen and do as they say. I've seen some recruits, mostly women, yell back at the instructor and/or walk out and start crying. I'm still in utter amazement that these police recruits didn't anticipate this coming in. But now you know. Expect it, and remind yourself that they're are doing this for your own good, and you only have a few months left. They will be your best friend toward the end of the academy. It is a game.

One last thing: Credits

If you can, before you take a single class in college, get with your college advisor and find out what classes you "don't" need to take if joining an academy down the road. The reason is, I took several classes, i.e. Intro to Law Enforcement, while in college only to find out later in the academy that I would be taking it again. I could have saved that money and used it for other classes. I ended up taking about 3 or 4 classes that I didn't have to, only to received duplicate credits for them which didn't go toward my degree. Good luck!