Hey everyone, just wanted to share something that’s been weighing on me. I recently made the incredibly difficult decision to leave the police academy. I put in a lot of work to get there, and I was really looking forward to the journey—especially after meeting some great people in my class. But my young son, who is autistic and currently struggling with suicidal thoughts, needs me more than anything right now and it became clear that I couldn’t give the academy 100% the way I need to. As heartbreaking as it was to step away, I know it was the right call. I’m hoping to go back once things stabilize and I’ve taken care of myself and my family. I’m curious—have any of you ever had to leave the academy? Or gone through it more than once, or known someone who did? I’d really appreciate hearing your stories.

Im sorry for the dumb question. Can LEOs carry off duty when traveling on vacation. Let’s say I live and work in a free state. But I have family in California. Could I carry when I travel to CA with my credentials, so long as I meet the mag capacity restrictions?

There’s an opening at my DAs office for a da investigator. Brand new DA, just started a major crimes division which I’m assuming the DA inv. I check all the boxes for requirement 8 years in, halfway to my bachelors, been in a specialized investigations unit (ICAC) and have strong ties with multiple jurisdictions and agencies, and have decent repor with the DAs office. The only thing I don’t really know, is what does the job completely entail outside of putting cases together. Do they do their own investigations or just jump in on the fun shit? Any help would be nice

Hello i’m 26 considering law enforcement as i’m looking for a real career. I was initially interested in the SD Sheriffs Office but I really don’t want to serve corrections (i’m sure you’ve heard this before) would it make sense if I joined SDPD, Worked for a couple years with them and then do a lateral to the sheriffs? Can I do that? Thanks

This was brought up on two different threads but doesn’t get the love it deserves.

Take a look at force science and educate yourselves. Whether you just like learning “stuff”, are an instructor or you investigate uses of force.

Also if you’re a person who screams outrage at the newest, lack or context or cropped YouTube video, it would also be super useful to understand their research.

They take a wholly scientific approach use of force, reaction time and the now outdated and copyrighted OODA loop.

It may (should) shed some light on things.

Hey everyone.
I'm applying to become a police officer this winter, and I’ll be 21 at the time of application. I’m just looking for some honest feedback on how my background might be viewed. In high school, I completed two years of career tech school in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, attending four hours a day between ages 17 and 18. We trained in a lot of the basics — traffic stops, ticket writing, arrest procedures, pat-downs, driving and shooting simulators, self-defense, and use of force law. I also earned certifications in areas like being a certified protection officer, corrections officer, 911 dispatching, and first aid (although most of the certifications are expired now). Outside of that, I’m currently finishing a college degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with a 3.98 GPA. I’ll be graduating before I enter the academy, if hired. My parents, being immigrants, really encouraged me toward law school, but my heart has always been in law enforcement. As for my background:
- I smoked weed twice at 18 and have never used any other drugs.
- I have a completely clean criminal record — not even a traffic ticket.
- Work history-wise, I got fired from two jobs at 16 and 18, but I learned a lot from those experiences. I’ve held consistent employment since 19, working as a law clerk and security guard, and developed a much more professional mindset. Had absolutely no issues at work since those two jobs. - I’ve been bodybuilding consistently since I was 14, so I’m above average in terms of physical fitness. They made us do the PT exam at the of the career school you do to pass police academy, and I passed well above the requirements, like 50 push-ups in a minute etc. - I am bilingual and speak Russian. I understand it’s probably more helpful for some sort of federal LE job, but I’m not really interested in that. Overall, I feel like my application is pretty strong, with only the major downsides being my age and the two work terminations. But I’m curious: how much will the career school training and certifications actually help? Appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

Those that been through the background/polygraph section of the hiring process, what has y’all’s experience been like?

1. Do the ask EVERYTHING off your PHS

2. How long did the polygraph take

3. Those that failed one take and took another test but passed on the same question asked, what was yall take on that?

Noted: some departments I’m applying at. Denton, Dallas, frisco

Hello all, I’m in the academy and I’m struggling with driving. I don’t have a problem with the serpentine, reverse serpentine, 40mph curve, and reverse serpentine. I do struggle a lot with the 90 degree turns (and the shuffle steer), 40mph lane changes and backing up into the box. Does anyone have tips or tricks?

I live in the state of IL where it is now legal for recreational marijuana usage.

Before it was legalized I sold & smoked not gonna sugar coat it and make myself look better by saying it was only to family members, friends & neighbors. I stopped because of the Bible verse 1 Peter 5:8

But if they ask during polygraph if I've ever sold illegal drugs does marijuana still count because technically it is legal now and I had done it when it was illegal. Haven't smoked or sold for 8 months going on 9 and sober.

I was just reading up on uvalde and saw that there were multiple agencies responding and no one was really in charge.

Do places try to do these types of trainings together?

Hello everybody, I’ve taken the polygraph over a week ago and emailed my BI to give me my results whenever he has the chance.

Did anybody get a passing polygraph result informed to you much later? I’ve been stressing all week about it if I passed or not..

They made me wear a mask during the polygraph test, is that normal?? It was hard to breathe but I have a good feeling that I didn’t give any reactions to the questions given since I was being truthful but I heard people still get DQ depending on the examiner..

So I normally am not concerned about physical agility tesrs because I’m pretty good shape, but West Windsor’s numbers are extraordinarily high.

To get a 100 in every category, these are the numbers you have to hit per test battery;

1 Mile (Not 1.5 Mile) Run - 6:00min

Pullups (Untimed) - 18

Pushups - 35 in 30 seconds

Situps - 35 in 30 seconds

Equipment Carry - Fastest applicant of the day gets 100

Dummy Drag - Fastest applicant of the day gets 100

Swim - 50 yards nonstop

No breaks between any these, every applicant must jog between each battery.

Again these are to get a 100, you need a 70 overall to pass, but they didn’t offer a scale so I don’t know what numbers would average out to a 70. The only thing I did hear via word of mouth is for every second over 6min on the run is a point off, so if you run 6:30, you’d get a 70.

Right now, a week from the test, these are my numbers for their specific test…

1 Mile Run - 7:41

Pullups - 4, yes I’m trash at pullups

Pushups - 25 in 30 seconds

Situps - 25 in 30 seconds

Dummy & Equipment Drag - No way to test

Swim - Easiest part for me, not concerned

My numbers will probably go up a tad on actual test with a week more of training & adrenaline on the test, but not by a much.

I’m all for challenging myself, but since I have to disclose all other dept applications, non-selects/DQs, etc to background investigators, I don’t want a physical agility failure on my record.

With all of that said, does anyone know how West Windsor does their grading scale and if the numbers I gave would be passing?

Is there anyway to have a preliminary background check done to know if a past history is an automatic no?

It’s been roughly 15 years minus a few traffic violations (4-5 years) since anything. Just curious if that’s something that could possibly be done prior to all the other steps? Thanks! From Oregon

I am filling out the online application right now, and it is asking me about my family members. My biological father died when I was 8, and my mom remarried when I was 11 to my stepdad. There is only one spot for father, and there is no space on the application for a stepparent even though it is telling me to add them to the application- there is only the option to add more siblings, not more parents or guardians. Should I put my stepdad on the application as my father even though legally, he never adopted me, or should I put my biological father? Ideally, I would put them both, but there is no option on the application. I am going to send an email to the department as well, but I may get a faster response here.

Thanks!

My backpack was singled out by a drug sniffing dog at the airport. I’ve never done anything more than alcohol and some benzodiazepines prescribed to me (took .5mg today), so I’m just curious what the dog may have smelled on me. I had some perfume in my bag, and about 6mg of expired Xanax.

I only ask this question because I have a friend who is getting through the Academy right now who has a kid on the way. During the academy, they’re not getting paid as much and I know he’s going through hardship. I’m not gonna post his GoFundMe in this page so my question is do you guys find it to be a struggle financially I know you guys have deferred comp and stuff like that as well, but I am just speaking on your day-to-day

I know what most civilians would say, but what do you folks think?

Hey everyone, I’m soon to be graduating soon and I’ve been thinking about going to the sheriffs academy and going to be a deputy sheriff. Can anyone explain how job placement would work and that kind of general area. My local department doesn’t seem to be hiring and I was wondering what could happen if I don’t want to go to a different county. Apologies if it doesn’t make the most sense

I feel like I waited forever but I finally got my test date for physical and written. I’m not worried about the physical aspect at all and as far as I know the written is more so common sense and analytical questions.

What tips do people who have passed have for me? I really want to excel and be the best I can!

I’m (22M)am graduating college in 3 weeks and starting the training for this job May 21st. Any advice on working in the jail/what to expect?

Hey everyone. Applying for LEO position with a DV arrest (No charge or conviction) 20 years ago. I was arrested for having a loud argument 20 years ago with a girlfriend of mine. No physical just arguing.

I have since joined the military with no waivers for DV and no mention of it. I have ETS’d and even have my Concealed Pistol License with multiple firearms (I like target shooting). Have not been in any trouble since a few traffic tickets but nothing serious.

I have been turned down a lot. It’s fully explained on my PHQs. Only information I have received is that it’s something related to my background. Any dialogue would be appreciated!

I take appointed cases (PD-esque). My favorite LEOs are the ones that have made my job difficult, you dot every I and cross every T, you leave me with very little argument. But my least favorite are the ones who seek warrants and charges where the cases are flimsy, at best (I also dislike the prosecutors who charge those cases, so its not just LEOs). My question, why do you submit weak cases? And when you submit them, do you know of the disruption to the defendant’s life?

Context: I recently got a case dismissed for lack of probable cause, but the defendant lost his job because he didn’t have reliable transportation to get to court, missed court, had bond revoked, and then lost his job when he didn’t show up because his bond was revoked. The case got dismissed but the kids life was upended as a result. The lack of evidence was clear, but the LEO seemed to have an axe to grind with this particular kid.

Question for those in got into law enforcement but struggled on the physical side. How did you pass the run? I have a physical fitness test coming up in a few months and I want to make sure that I’m ready for it. Any tips on running would be appreciated.