I just finished all of my tests this past Tuesday, to become a police officer. It is in the roughest town in my area, Gary, Indiana. Boy they have some screwed up tests unlike any I have taken before, The physical test was
Start out behind the wheel of a squad car sprint 40 yards up 2 flights of stairs then down 2 flights of stairs, sprint 40 yards jump a ditch sprint 40 yards climb a 6 foot fence sprint 10 yards do a balance beam sprint 10 yards do a tire oppstical, sprint 10 yards climb under a fence sprint 10 yards drag a 150 pound dummy 5 yards and sprint 50 yards to the Finnish line. must do this in under 2 min 30 sec. My time 1.39 then while still breathing heavy had to dry fire a Beretta 10 times in a 4 inch ring without it touching.Every other department wanted you to just run 1 mile and do 25 pushups. NOT GARY. They told us that they wanted 25 people to start 1st monday in Aug. and there were 23 of us that passed everything. So I just wanted to thank everyone here for your advice to people thinking about becoming LEOs. I have read this forum and the words you wrote to people interested in this profession and took them to heart and decided this is what I want to do so thanks. Even though I have never asked for advice  I have silently read what you all said to others. My wife is happy for me and tells me to do what will make me happy, shes just scared because it is Gary murder capital of the US like 5 years running. And Im a white guy working a mostly black area but that doesn't matter to me I know most people a decant no mater where they live or what color they are. So if I can pass the academy then I will become one of you brave few who choose this life of helping others.
Thanks
Tim

Good luck, alway's wear your vest, and when in doubt remember to always call for backup. Be safe.

Congrads...yes, always wear your vest!!!

Congrats - as a former academy instructor, let me offer some advice - take it or leave it:
1.Head down, mouth shut, ears open, B.S. detector full on.
2. Focus on the hard stuff, i.e. if you know how to shoot, work on the law.
3. Ask reasonable questions.
4. A lot of learning (not teaching) goes on at lunch, after hours, etc.
5. Get (issued, bought, borrowed) the best vest you can find AND WEAR IT EVERY DAY!
6. Oddly enough, start planning for your retirement now - my life would be easier if someone had told me that 26 years ago.
7. The good news - my tax lady said I could deduct a firearm every year "for use in conjunction with my official duties!"
8. Check 6 (watch your back).
9. When the hair goes up on the back of your neck, that is a primal warning that something is not right. STOP what you are doing and change the situation.

Good Luck!!!

  CONGRATS!!
Isn't Gary IN the murder capital of the world?Good luck and stay safe.

tnrifleman.

Listen carefully to the previous posts and to the vets on your dept. The academy is just the starting off point. You will learn only enough to get a good start. DO NOT get in the squad thinking that you now know everything you need.

Develop a sense of humor if you don't have one.

Remember to smile and be prepared to kill them.

Most important, while knowledge of tactics and force options are important, do not neglect your knowledge of the law, rules of evidence and probable cause. While some of your contacts may end in force being used ALL will begin with your knowledge of the law being tested.

Good luck!!!! Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Pay special attention to the following areas which will keep you out of federal court.

1. Laws of arrest/search and seizure.
2. Pursuit policies.
3. Use of deadly force issues.

There are many great books available from caliber press. There is a three book series one of which is titled Tactics For Criminal Patrol. Buy the series, they will be tax deductible anyhow.
Wear your vest, become proficient with your weapons, and take care of your equipment.

Good luck.I'll wave on the way to Lake Geneva,WI this summer!!!!

Sounds like your PD has a good PT test.  Bad guys don't run for miles on a nice level track, and doing push up's and situps has never been part of the arrest procedure.  Everything you had to do seems much more like an actual foot pursuit.

As posted above, the academy is just the begining.  You learn just enough to get by.  The real education is your first two years on the street with the old timers.  Ears open and mouth shut will do wonders for your carrer.  If you get the oportunity, attend Caliber Press' "Street Survival" course.  I highly recomend it to veteran and rookie alike!

Remember, your primary goal is not to catch the bad guy, it is to STAY ALIVE for your family.  Don't get yourself killed tring to be a hero.
A dead hero is just that, DEAD.  NO arrest if worth your life.

So good luck!  The pay sucks, the hours suck, the bag guys suck, but still, I love my job and the guys I work with.  I would not want to do ANYTHING else!  (well, maybe porn star or millionare, but nothing else) [(:)]


The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed on the street.

Congratulations kid,
Ditto on the previous post and a few more:
1st priority is Family -don't let the job consume you.  Your wife will be putting up w/alot so don't take her for granted.
Don't let the badge become bigger than you and most of all.........watch out for those pesty video cameras!
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