Posted: 7/21/2011 12:55:36 PM EDT
| I`m about to enter the Police Academy, any words of wisdom? |
Don't be "that guy." This can encompass being the guy who knows everything, the guy who rats people out for every little thing, or the guy who never shuts the fuck up. People notice and get annoyed. I've already picked out three that will be labeled as "that guy" so far just running the obstacle course yesterday for my second try at the academy. The first time I was in there before I got injured, we had three or four people try to stage a coup and overthrow our class leader and put their friend in his place. 
Make sure you hydrate a lot, it's hot everywhere this time of year. I didn't drink enough water every day the first time through and paid for it with headaches and misery every day after PT. If you aren't good at writing, get better. You'll be doing a lot of it. Don't do anything stupid outside of class; granted, the person who did it was not the smartest guy in the world or it wouldn't have happened, but we had someone get arrested for shoplifting the night before our first day of class. If it sounds like a wild time, don't partake. Had a girl get arrested for domestic battery too (it was a made-up charge by her ex, he said it happened when she dropped their son off for the week); she's STILL trying to sort that out a year and a half later. Don't speed or anything either; around here you have to report it to the coordinator and if you don't they will PT you until you fucking die. If you do, they make you do a base number of push-ups (thinking 200ish) plus one push-up for every dollar the ticket was for (or would have been for had you gotten one). It also goes on your file. Become choir boy/angel, profit greatly. Volunteer, but don't do it too much. The academy here is very focused on physical fitness and as such they "request" (AKA demand) that you attend any and all community 5k runs, plus the ones they put on at school. If you do it, your chances of getting hired go up a lot; if you don't, they go through the floor. Make it known you are a good guy and dependable/honest, but don't be "that guy" always trying to take first shot at every question or opportunity. Your classmates will hate you, in my experience. You know this already, but be respectful. We had people constantly getting chewed out for missing a "ma'am" or "sir" when having a conversation with the instructors. Falls under "don't be 'that guy'" as well. Be early. For everything. My class didn't start until 1700 hrs every day according to the schedule, I was there at 1615 hours on the dot, every time. Mornings at the gun range I met the coordinator at school and helped load weapons and ammo into his Expedition and I had to be there at 0645 (that sucked), so I got there typically 0630-0640. It was a royal bitch working 0830-1500, then never getting out of class until 2200, going to sleep at 0100, waking up at 0500 for a 10 hour day at the gun range in 100+ degree temps. Keep your stuff organized. This includes papers, notes, books, pens, uniforms in order, duty belt clean (if they give you one, we had belts with G22 blue guns, blue M26 tasers [X26 predecessor], real handcuffs and a double mag pouch). As far as Army basic, I can't tell you that as I never served... but someone else can, I'm sure. |
| Pay attention and STAY AWAKE! I'm about to be on my 3rd week. Some Academy's are more "paramilitary" than others. I'm in the Army so I went in thinking it was going to be like basic training. Hardly anything close. But like I said.. it varys from place to place. The academic part sucks ass. |
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Study hard. Don't let one bad test crater your GPA.
Keep your mouth shut. Be ready to make the academy your #1 focus for the duration. Warn your family and friends that you may have to blow off events to stay home and study or prep. Keep your nose clean. I have seen recruits get shitcanned for some dumb stuff. Remember that your reputation starts now, and LE agencies have notoriously long memories. Follow the DBS rule and you'll be fine. |
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Advice:
SHUT UP. If find yourself talking, and it's not in response to a direct inquiry/instruction from an instructor, SHUT UP. Small talk is fine... introducing yourself, department, etc. But don't tell stories, seriously, just SHUT UP. You are there to work hard and learn, not entertain. |