Well, no CHP academy in my near future.

[SDale]

I failed the physical today.

I took the physical last week and was waiting for the results of the X-Rays before I could move forward. Well, got the X-Ray and other results today and because both my legs have been broken more than once and in more than one place, as well as a good case of Plantar Faciitis I can't move forward to the polygraph test and ultimately the academy.

I was told to come back and try again after the fasciitis heals up, and I would possibly be able to get a med waiver for the busted legs providing I can pass a battery of physical exertion tests.


They say the broken bones aren't really a problem seeing as how I got into the military with them, but because I'll be spending allot of time pounding concrete the faciitis creates a "Liability" .


Well, I've got some vacation time comming. Maybe I can get all cleared up then.

[gamo2hammerli]

Awwww......that's bad news.....hopefully better news next time around.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

I think I may have asked you this before?? But,, have you considered your local PD or Sherriffs departments?? This really stinks Sam,, Im really sorry to hear of this set back for Ya Buddy. :0 I guess it is ok for you to be in combat protecting our Country on foot,,, I guess you are not capable of spending 90 % of your time driving a cruiser? Sorry for being kinda "Smartie Pants" about this Sam ( I promise it is not directed at you) When I hear these kind of stories about screening prospective Law Enforcement Candidates,, (Especially Ex Military Folks) It gets me kinda "Rilled Up" Keep after it Sam. Tim. Been there,, done that Sam. Dont give up Buddy.

[SDale]

Yup, you have asked me that before Timmy. But I don't think I really answered?

I haven't tried County Sheriff, but I have tried OPD, Alameda PD and a couple others. They don't have an academy per say. From the way it was explained to me, I can either go through the State Police academy or a private academy. Well, CHP is the state police and I'm out on that end. The private academy I have to PAY for instead of me getting paid to go like with the CHP. On the other side of the coin, if I go to the private academy I get a BA in Criminal Justice when I graduate. But I just don't have to time to go to school AND work at the same time right now.

I hear what you're saying Timmy, but I can also see their side of the card. If the academy is anything like basic in the Marine Corps or Navy, then I'll be doing ALLOT of concrete pounding. Marching, running etc.  I know there's classroom time too,  but there's probably LOTS of PT involved too. The CHP doc and my personnal doc says faciitis could lead to my arches falling if I beat em up too bad. So there IS a possible liability there that I understand. So don't get too mad bud!!! I understand you though and I WILL keep at it. I've still got 2 years before the age cut-off, so there's PLENTYof time for me to heal up.  

[VINNY]

Hey Sam, pm sent. I had plantar faciitis too. they wanted to do sergury, I didnt. I won, and its GONE.No joke. No drugs, sergury, etc.

[VINNY]

I just p.m.'d you, I hope

[dnttech]

Hi Sam...I've read and re-read your post a number of times now.  My first thought was "what a bunch of friggin idiots for turning down ex-military."  After re-reading the post, though, I do have a (somewhat) coherent thought.  I'm assuming, based upon your previous comment, you're around 30 years of age.  In that case, pursue a job with your counties Sheriff's department.  Don't look at road patrol right now, but DO look into their corrections (jail) officer program.  Based upon your age, your number one goal right now should be to get your foot in the door, so to speak.  Corrections will do this for you.  Quite a number of guys I work with came from a corrections background, and virtually ALL of the deputies in my counties Sheriff's department HAD to begin their careers in the jail prior to transferring to road patrol.  From there, you can allow yourself time to heal, the corrections certification program (academy) isn't nearly as hard on you, mentally or physically, and at some point in the future you can begin to apply to different police agencies around your area.  

Now, here's my own personal view on what you just tried to do...

Number one, joining a highway patrol or state police department is not what a city cop considers "police work."  Chasing taillights all your life is not what it's about.  If you wanna hand out tickets and investigate traffic accidents, hey go for it...lots of guys like to do that, but I'm not one of em, and I'll bet ya Jeff, (longislandhunter) wasn't either.  Number two, if you're serious about becoming a police officer, MAKE TIME to go to school.  I don't care if it's only 1 class at a time at your local community college, you must be working on or have completed a college degree, preferably in criminal justice, before a department will take you seriously.  In my own case, I have a BS and an MS, done on my own time and at my own expense.  Remember, you're competing against a whole lot of people with a great deal of education for the same job.  If it comes down to choosing between you with no or very little college and someone else with college, guess who wins?  Take the time, if you can't do that, then you're not serious about police work as a career.  Number three...forget all you learned in college, your FTO will teach you what you need to know.  Sucks doesn't it?  But, that's the way the game is played.  Good luck to you, and thank you for the time and pain you endured helping keep my butt free.

[geewhiz380]

sam i feel bad cause u really want to progress but in any case u r a true surviver and its never too late for u to do anything.my brother lived in jersy and took examines all over the states around him is became successful because of the milatary experince in the airforce.sam u could take exams around your other states that surround u that would be a great idea ,honestly nyc police always hires and if u want u could use my address and take the nyc and nys exam they start with 41,000 plus excellent benefits im here for u and anybody else that would like to become an officer in nyc and nys .the only thing is the cost off livin is outrages but hey its like that in a lot of places ....jorgie ...

[SDale]

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna keep at it!

Robert, thank you very much! That's a good bit of advice you handed me there! I'll look into what you said and try to apply it to my situation.

The whole reason I went straight to State Police is because I want to get on motor patrol. With EVERY local PD and sheriff I talked to it's the same thing. Gotta have at least 5 years in and be a Sargent, then apply for motor partol and WAIT. With CHP I can apply for motor after my first year in the field and the waiting list isn't as long as the local PD's because there isn't a shortage of bikes like the locals.

[geewhiz380]

U HAVE A VERY GOOD ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR GOAL I ADMIRE U FOR THAT .ITS NEVER TO LATE TO BECOME WHAT U COULD BE .GOOD LUCK SAM I WISH U THE BEST U DESERVE IT ...JORGIE

[triry]

Dale,

dont let this minor setback slow you down. my military injuries were noted and i still finished the sheriffs academy , and ultimately went on to become the youngest police chief on the west coast.
follow your dreams...............and let no one tell you otherwise !!!!
feel free to e-mail me directly if i can offer any advice !!

[SDale]

Jim, I'm not going to let it set me back one bit.

I actually found out that there's an FBI AND CIA office near where I work. They're also both advretising help wanted for file clerks, general office personnel, linguists AND Investigators. From what I've read, the investigators need no prior experience to apply and when accepted will be trained.

So, I'm also going to apply for those 2. I'm also going to try DEA and Border Patrol. I'm also going to look into Corrections Officer as stated above.

Things aren't as bleak as I make them sound LoL. But they are less than ideal.

[ShadowShot]

Hello Sam,

I feel your pain man and I'm so sorry about your setback.
Follow your heart and the great advice given here.
Each state has its on set of rules and yours just seems to be stacked against you
and your goals. That does not mean you cannot attain them, It only means it will be
that much sweeter when you make it.

I have never been able to get the police work out of my blood.
I have been trying for the last 18 years. I am in a little different dilemma.
I have a couple thing to try to sort out. I left the military as an AirForce SP
back in 91. I got out to become a minister. I have been doing that every since.
Now I know it sounds strand being a minister, (I really am a minister, just a crazy fun guy still),
but I just cant shake the force. I know the hours involved and could probably work
something out with the local city department. I have already spoken with the chief.

 
My second issue is, I'm now 41. I will have to go back through an academy and
get my BLT. Even though the Airforce academy was rated number 4 in the nation at the
time I was in. To much time has passed and I will have to get the BLT before I can get
on with the city. I'm also a very little guy, around 120 lbs at 5'6". The most I ever weighed
was 130 Lbs. At the time I was eating like a horse and lifting weights. I always joke about
how I looked like a parakeet on steroids back then.

I now have a well paying job, but my heart is still not in it, you know where it's at.
I could take the academy at the community college during the day and get a night
job for a couple/few months to get my cert.  It's just a hard choice to make. I really want to
get back in but I have to consider the church,  the wife and kids and so forth. However,
I just cant shake it. I have been fighting this for a couple years now.

I can afford to leave my job and do the day school thing. I just paid my home off (Double wide)
in less than 8 years. I can cut back on bills and take a $10 an hour job at night to get by.
I just keep looking at my age, size and commitments. My size, I just laugh and say, I have seen
women about my size doing this. Of course a lot can be said about the scorn of a woman.
Guess I would have to take a hormone pill before going to work every night, just to make sure I was
mean enough.

Oh well, long enough rant. I'll get off the couch and let the next patient in.
Cheer up bud, It could always be worse.

ShadowShot

[triry]

heres a link to all the law enforcement academies governed by the state. keep in mind, that california has the, if not one of the toughest standard levels for law enforcement training; if you pass a california academy, youre a shoe in just about anywhere in the nation.
one thing you might consider is a reserve academy,.........get the street time and when youre ready, apply laterally to the department of your choice. also, dont discount departments like fish and game.
in any event, look up 830.2 of the california penal code, it may give you some insight as to what it is you want. also review POST ( Commision on peace offcer standards )

http://www.post.ca.gov/Training/Academies.asp