Police Academy Police Officer

[Got Milk?]

Hello IA, today I'll be asking few questions, and looking for suggestions.

My info:
Male
Age:20
Education: High School Diploma. Attending GPC for Computer Science.

Record:1 Seat belt ticket, 2 speeding tickets(one was dismissed), license suspended(due to age) for 6 months at age of 19 for speeding.


I've been thinking lately, well for few months at least, about joining the criminal justice. But, few problems here, and few information im lacking out on, so I'm here to ask for some info. I have no friends or anyone that I know that is in criminal justice, so I'm kinda stuck with asking you guys. Please don't be a dick.

First off, I'm working on getting my American Passport. There should be no problems in the process of getting one. So I know that much that I need to become a citizen of USA.

Second, I want to join a Police Academy. I'm looking to work in Dekalb or Gwinnet County as Police Officer. I know Police Officers have to go for like 6 month training. So to attend a Police Academy, what are the requirements? Do you have to be age of 21? Do you have to be American citizen to attend and to receive the certificate of completion? And what are some good Police Academies in Gwinnett and Dekalb County to be looking at?

Also, can you do the police academy on your own and be set with that than apply for a job, or would you apply for a job at certain department first, and have them send you to police academy?

Third. Where do you go after completing Police Academy? Do you simply apply for a county, or a department, and wait for a response?

Any info will be helpful info, and if someone is a cop on here and wants to send me a PM and walk be through the process, that would really be helpful and thankful. Any info will be good info. Hit me with all your knowledge about becoming a Police Officer.


Okey guys. I asked few questions, so I'll wait with your responses. Please leave the negativity out of this thread. I'm really trying to focus and start my career, and start my own life. I apologies in advance if I wrote something in a way that you can't understand. Thanks.

[deutshwise]

big departments such as dekalb gwinnett and atlanta have their own acadamy. so you will be a recruit and will get paid to go through the acadamy. but have to sign a contract saying that you can't quit for at least the first 2 years after your hire date or other wise have repay the deapartment the money they spend on training you. you will not get into gwinnett PD. Gwinnett is very hard to get into. i used to work for dekalb. you have a good chance of getting with dekalb. call back ground and recruiting. ask for an employment packet and fill out correctly, then you will have to take a series of tests, most pretty easy. dekalb is tough tho and if you cant deal with being non stop busy do not even bother applying. best bet is to apply every big county and big city and see were you get a response.

[Jaimecbr900]

You're going about it all wrong. No need to go to any "academy" on your own since most major departments have their own anyway. You have to have minimum requirements in age, background, credit, criminal background, citizenship, school, and physical abililties.

The actual process, I've gone through it, goes something like this:

First, you have to go online and either apply online or download the application and fill it out.

Second, you'll be scheduled to take the first set of tests. If you pass those.....

Third, they'll call you in for an initial assessment where you will get an orientation and have to submit more supporting documents to go with your application, i.e. credit explanations, background explanations, references, any kind of school records, and general work history. You'll have to fill out this mondo application where they'll ask you a ton of questions. If you pass this part......

Fourth, they'll order you to take more tests. This is where they do the infamous Lie Detector test and Psych eval. If you pass this part......

Finally, you'll come in for a final verbal interview where they'll offer you either a "Cadet/Recruit" position to work at the Precint until the next Academy session comes around, or you'll still be a "Cadet/Recruit" but they happen to have hired you in time to get you into the very next Academy class.

You get paid the minute you start to work, but at a reduced rate. When you go through the Academy and get your P.O.S.T. certification, THEN you are officially a Police Officer and your initial full pay kicks in. Each department has additional requirements when you're a rookie before they let you loose on your own on the street.

The end.

I suggest that if you are really serious about pursuing this that you talk to a real LEO to get prepared, because in all honesty......you don't sound ready at all IMO. I'm just warning you because the process is not easy at all. You'd think they were hiring you for a $100k/yr job as many hoops you have to jump through, but every department does it. Smaller departments that can't afford their own Academy usually don't hire anyone that is not already P.O.S.T. certified. In other words, you have to have worked elsewhere or gotten your P.O.S.T. certification elsewhere to even apply to them. These are usually your mom and pop city departments. Nothing wrong with working there at all. Matter of fact, I'm told it's actually nice if you get in. Big departments have BIG politics. Big departments also have BIG budgets which in turn balances that politics thing out (sometimes). Gwinnett is ultra hard to get in, but you can also start with their Sherriff's Dept working at the Jail and then moving on up to the courthouse(s) detail and eventually on to other things if you want. Dekalb is not the easiest to get in either. Yes, they always advertise they want people, but they don't always accept everyone either. If I remember correctly, Gwinnett's Academy is very very good and detailed and Dekalb's is longer. Don't quote me on that because it's been a little bit since I talked to somebody about that part. If you are going to do it, do it. Don't pussy foot around. Departments hate that shit. If you want it, go get it but then don't back out at the last minute.

Go to the department's website and they'll have a ton of information under the "careers" section that will answer most if not all your questions.

Good luck.

[ueyedgr8tness]

go to athens or monroe should be pretty easy for you.

[Got Milk?]

^^

Thanks alot bro.

It seems to me that my FIRST step should be getting me passport finished than go from there.

Thanks again, and ofcourse, more info is welcomed.

And I am really serious about this.

[Julio]

I went to school for CJ.. wanted to always be Cop.. a Friend took me to a dekalb benefit class/orientation of some sort.

They talked about benefits and Pay with a 2 or 4 year CJ degree....

Not worth it.. so many hoops and loops..

Best way is to talk to a cop who can give you all the info.

[1000cckiller]

Some good points have been made. If you are really interested go for it, I am in the police academy now and I love it. Deciding if you are ready to take this step is the first key. Only get into police work if it is in your blood or heart. You can be post certified at 18 but most departments will not put you on the street, until you are 21. Because they don't believe your maturity level is there at 18. Most big departments have their own academy, as was stated before. Those departments are DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Atlanta. DeKalb actually woks with you to a point. Gwinnett is tough. Atlanta is big on credit. Clayton I haven't taken the time to search, and the same on Cobb. There are a lot of departments that will send you through the academy, if you pass all of the requirements. If you don't have experience sheriff departments are a good start, because you can work the jail for a year or two and then they will send you through a academy.

I chose to go on my own, Hope pays for it. DekalbTech's academy is top notch, and you get 60credit hours and all your certifications. I am O.C., Taser, SFS, and ASP certified. I finish in three weeks and will graduate in uniform. There are a bunch of academies in the state, and they are only 10 weeks, but you only get O.C. certified plus you will be mandated. Dekalb Tech's is 17 weeks, and you get all your certifications.


Also Dekalb PD's academy you don't get your certification now unless you complete FTO, because they had so many people leaving after receiving their certification before FTO.

[SlowEG9]

Most big departments right now are going to be VERY picky with what they hire. There are so many cutbacks from other departments and people getting canned that they can do that. The criminal justice degree will help and much like yourself, I was going to put myself through academy but most departments will put you either through their own (gwinnett, athens, etc.) or send you to a regional one on their tab.

From personal experience, if you have ANY tickets for ANYTHING, you need to be upfront about it on your packet. I got a ticket and arrested for eluding in gwinnett (simple speeding ticket gone haywire). The eluding charge was expunged and I applied with GCPD last year, admitted it on my app and went to the job fair resume in hand. Got there, told I was automatically disqualified due to the ticket. Talked to a sergeant there and he said give him a few days. About a week passed and I got an email saying to go to an entrance exam a few weeks later. Went to the entrance exam and passed it and got called back to go to orientation. Went to orientation, filled background out, DMV records, physical, whole nine yards. After all this, about a month later, I get a letter in the mail stating that due to discrepancies in my background (the eluding ticket has been my ONLY ticket or brush with the law), That I was permanently disqualified from ANY gwinnett government position. The charge was admitted to in my background and on my application so...no idea where the discrepancy was.

There are other agencies out there hiring if you really want into it but with the economy being how it is, all agencies are going to be very picky. From what I have heard from most of the ones I considered, it is easier to start in the jail and after a year or two move to road patrol.

[BanginJimmy]

After all this, about a month later, I get a letter in the mail stating that due to discrepancies in my background (the eluding ticket has been my ONLY ticket or brush with the law), That I was permanently disqualified from ANY gwinnett government position. The charge was admitted to in my background and on my application so...no idea where the discrepancy was.

Kind of off topic, but you might want to pay the $30 or $40 and make sure that your back ground matches reality. While I was doing my back ground for both my security clearance and for Lockheed I had a discrepancy that had I not been given the chance to dispute it, probably would have disqualified me for both.

[SlowEG9]

Kind of off topic, but you might want to pay the $30 or $40 and make sure that your back ground matches reality. While I was doing my back ground for both my security clearance and for Lockheed I had a discrepancy that had I not been given the chance to dispute it, probably would have disqualified me for both.

Have 4 times and actually had a friend in HR at my old job run it...Came back squeaky clean.

From my understanding, expunged or not, GOVT agencies can still see "hidden" records but the records are closed to general public.

[djpikachu1]

I went to the job fair for the Atlanta Police Department about 2, 3 weeks ago and they did not accept me because of my driving record, fukers

[Got Milk?]

Are my tickets anything major?

Will that have negative affect?

And yes, it's in my blood. If i didnt have a life that I have today, gf, family, I would go for the army. But I can't see my self away from the family for months or even years.

[SlowEG9]

Are my tickets anything major?

Will that have negative affect?

And yes, it's in my blood. If i didnt have a life that I have today, gf, family, I would go for the army. But I can't see my self away from the family for months or even years.

Honestly I would call the departments you are interested in and speak with someone in recruiting

[ftp]

Are my tickets anything major?

Will that have negative affect?

And yes, it's in my blood. If i didnt have a life that I have today, gf, family, I would go for the army. But I can't see my self away from the family for months or even years.

tickets are tickets. I had 2 when i was 20 and applied with gwinnett and I seriously realised as i was in the orientation that I was trying to join the walking hypocrite squad and walked out. I got a letter a few days later saying my app was put on hold for a speeding ticket and a improper start that were both 2 years old. Seriously tho....dont be a cop. They are just rolling revenue generators and damn sure dont protect or serve.

[SlowEG9]

tickets are tickets. I had 2 when i was 20 and applied with gwinnett and I seriously realised as i was in the orientation that I was trying to join the walking hypocrite squad and walked out. I got a letter a few days later saying my app was put on hold for a speeding ticket and a improper start that were both 2 years old. Seriously tho....dont be a cop. They are just rolling revenue generators and damn sure dont protect or serve.

No offense but if you have that kind of attitude towards law enforcement, you were in the wrong place anyway.

[BanginJimmy]

if you have that kind of attitude towards law enforcement, you were in the wrong place anyway.

With all possible offense, I agree with this statement.

[1000cckiller]

No offense but if you have that kind of attitude towards law enforcement, you were in the wrong place anyway.

man, I agree.

[ftp]

No offense but if you have that kind of attitude towards law enforcement, you were in the wrong place anyway.

well, most cops are assholes and i am an asshole so i figured i would fit right in. Seriously tho, since then i have a few run ins with very overzealous cops so thats why i dont have a peachy outlook on em anymore.... to the OP, apply with a sheriffs dept and start as a jailer if your driving record isnt clean. That or apply with apd for beat.

[BanginJimmy]

well, most cops are assholes and i am an asshole so i figured i would fit right in. Seriously tho, since then i have a few run ins with very overzealous cops so thats why i dont have a peachy outlook on em anymore.... to the OP, apply with a sheriffs dept and start as a jailer if your driving record isnt clean. That or apply with apd for beat.

Most cops are assholes cause they deal with smart ass little assholes, such as yourself, all day every day. I've delt with asshole cops before, but I am also smart enough to know that they are the minority, not the majority.

[Got Milk?]

^^

I am collecting as much info as I can on this career before I call anyone. And I'm almost done with becoming a citizen. Once I do that, I'll start calling people. I don't wanna call the, and have them tell me call when u become a citizen. XD

[SlowEG9]

^^

I am collecting as much info as I can on this career before I call anyone. And I'm almost done with becoming a citizen. Once I do that, I'll start calling people. I don't wanna call the, and have them tell me call when u become a citizen. XD

Yeah that may definitely be an issue there. I've seen people have worse and get accepted and people with squeaky clean not. I know a guy who got shitcanned from dekalb a few years back for a bar incident and hes now working somewhere else even with POST probation.

[Got Milk?]

It's been over a year since my last ticket, and I sure as hell don't plan on getting any more in future.

[ftp]

Also, i have a few friends that are cops in new york and they are hiring like 100 something new recruits for their academy. Pay starts at 50 or 60k a year but you have to live in one of the 5 boroughs.

[DamnDisLaOsBoY]

I am going through it now.

1: take compass or asset test at a college. must have high enough score to meet POST requirements.
2: take the background check through PSI and pay 245 dollars.
3: get your fingerprinted through livescan
4: fill out application and set an interview date with director.

This is for Northeast Georgia Police Academy in Athens. Also try Dekalb in Dekalb tech.

you are either hired on an agency and get paid through. or go in as a civilian and pay 3,000 dollars which will be covered by the HOPE grant and apply once you finish the 12 weeks.

Driving record does play a good role in your qualification too. My advice is to call and ask any questions to either the secretary or academy director.

[SlowEG9]

I am going through it now.

1: take compass or asset test at a college. must have high enough score to meet POST requirements.
2: take the background check through PSI and pay 245 dollars.
3: get your fingerprinted through livescan
4: fill out application and set an interview date with director.

This is for Northeast Georgia Police Academy in Athens. Also try Dekalb in Dekalb tech.

you are either hired on an agency and get paid through. or go in as a civilian and pay 3,000 dollars which will be covered by the HOPE grant and apply once you finish the 12 weeks.

Driving record does play a good role in your qualification too. My advice is to call and ask any questions to either the secretary or academy director.

Good luck man. Let us know how it goes

[1000cckiller]

i graduate from the DeKalb tech law enforcement academy next Thrusday. I have already be hired, so good luck. You can do it just get yourself in shape now and forget about a life until it is over.

[TIGERJC]

might want to change that avatar officer, o I need to come and get my permit

[Bacon]

You don't have to have a passport to join the police academy. Go to Atlanta. Their turnover rate is high right now and if you can get on there, you can go anywhere.

[nchbrandon]

Here is what I did, maybe it will help. Yes you have to be 21 and I am pretty sure you have to be legal here. I applied online for a police department, Cobb to be exact. Most police departments take applications once or twice a year. I went with cobb because they are currently recruiting 24 new officers. As long as you have no felonies and no repetitive tickets you should be ok, from what I was told. After the applications is processed, which takes a about a week, they e-mailed me and set up an appointment for me to take my written exam. After the exam they will tell you if you passed or not. Then they gave me directions and the time the physical agility test would be taken. After the agility test, they do an extensive background check which takes about 30 days. If all is good they bring you in and do a polygraph test and a psychological evaluation. If you make it through that, they send you to a 24 week academy. There are no guarantees you will make it through the academy you will be on a probationary period. If you make it through the academy and are hired on, you will ride along with an officer for 12 weeks, then you will be evaluated in the field for another 8 weeks before you hit the streets on your on. This is how cobb county works any way, don't know if all police departments are the same. Hope it was of some help.

[Bacon]

Atlanta will hire you even if you have felonies. Their turnover rate is high with people going to other depts and people retiring.

[nchbrandon]

Atlanta will hire you even if you have felonies. Their turnover rate is high with people going to other depts and people retiring.

Atlanta would be a good PD to work for. The pay is good, the action is great and the experience you get from the being a "big city cop" is even better. For me though I don't think I would enjoy it because the district would be huge and it would be very dangerous out there. +++ I wouldn't wanna drive to and from Atlanta every day lol

[Bacon]

It isn't all its made out to be and I would hardly consider them "good to work for." My brother is part of their motor squad and has it easy but before then he was zone 5 in the Ponce/Highland/Moreland areas and it was rough.

Atlanta does have one of the hardest training academies and if you can get on with them, you can go anywhere.

You think it is any safer being a police officer anywhere else? you become a target everywhere when you become a police officer.