Calling all police officers or former officers I have some ?'s about academy training

[solidj55]

I know this isnt the best board for this but I know there are some officers and former officers on this board.
I am most likely going to be getting hired as a police officer. Now I know the general requirments for the pre-hire PT test, 1.5mile run in under 15 minutes, max push ups, 1 minute sit ups, v-set-reach, maybe verticle, and possible 100-300m sprint. I think I can get prepared for that but I was wondering what the academy is like. How much running, etc. I just want to be in shape as possible for all of this. Im a little out of shape endurance wise so I was wondering what you guys would suggest for me? As far as strength Im strait, Im a powerlifter so Ive got that under control.
I just was wondering about how much and how often I should run to prepare, also I will be lifting 2-3 days per week, mainly compound movements. I need to practice the push ups and sit ups as well but Im not sweating that. Anyway, thanks in advance.

 

[solidj55]

Well I assume I am "healthy" as far as the doctors physical. Anyone else?

 

[slackerdude]

Start running or lot of treadmill work. Some places, passing the polygraph and background checks are the hardest

 

[Travis50]

Depends what state you are in, but the physical part of the academy is not usually an issue, especially if you work out. They have all types going through the academy, so they won't expect too much, just a good attitude.

 

[solidj55]

I live in Virginia, but I am not going into the state police, its county but they go to the same academy, background is not a problem and I dont have to take a polygraph.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Can you make it through a lie detector test?

 

[solidj55]

I dont have to take a lie detector test for this police job, its in my county not the state. In my county they make as much money as the state police with the same benifits but you do not have to take a polygraph, the physical fitness requirements are the same and most everything else is the same except for the polygraph. So i dont have to worry about that. But to answer the question, no I probably could make it through the lie detector unless I learned how to control/alter my responses.

 

[crackerhead]

I have been through two Academies, one throught the State of Oklahoma and the Federal Law Enforcement Academy. The state academy wasn't really that tough, we ran a mile everyday with a 30 min time limit. The FLEA was alot tougher. But, if you're in decent shape don't worry about the physical part of it worry about the bookwork and studying. If you do that then you should pass with out any problems. And one of the previous replies mentioned the polygraph and background. They are not that tough, just answer them honestly. That is what they are looking for, not what you have done in the past. Good luck, Bro!

 

[Canuck4]

While were on the topic.
Do they test you for steroid usage?

 

[THeMaCHinE]

And one of the previous replies mentioned the polygraph and background. They are not that tough, just answer them honestly. That is what they are looking for, not what you have done in the past. Good luck, Bro!

So, hypothetically, say you shoplifted when you were younger, had broken into a cleaners and stole the register when you were 18, had taken LSD, mushrooms, smoked pot and hash regularly when you were younger and pot 1x withing the last year; had taken test, deca, primo, dbol and winny over the course of multiple cycles within that last couple years. You're saying they're not going to care? I don't think so... where I'm at, it's my understanding that they can still prosecute certain things if you admit to them, and at least, it would put your character in question -- even if it had been, say, 12 years since you had done anything bad and your character was much different...

All of the above is hypothetical of course... just trying to illustrate an example...

 

[solidj55]

The one I am applying for doesnt test for steroids unless they suspect you using them. They just give a normal drug screen, but if you find a department that gives a polygraph they usually ask about it.

 

[crackerhead]

Well if you did all of that the background check would uncover alot of that and you would never get to the polygraph test. Yes, if you have done drugs in the past, tell them.

 

[THeMaCHinE]

Well if you did all of that the background check would uncover alot of that and you would never get to the polygraph test. Yes, if you have done drugs in the past, tell them.

How would a background check catch any of it when it happened 12 years ago, you were never caught for any of it and you don't maintain contact with any of the people (nor do you give their names as associates) from back then?

Hypothetically...

I believe you would get to the polygraph stage, have to admit it (unless you defeat the poly) and you would be fucked. Also, how would they respond to recent steroid use if they knew?

 

[Baby Gorilla]

Polygraphs....

Many places are getting rid of them because they are so unreliable that they have no evidentiary value. In fact, for some purposes they are illegal because they are so unreliable.

Beating one is easy. They monitor physical responses that are easy to control. I have an e-book written by a guy who was a polygraph administer. Tells you all you need to know to beat one.

Breath control and butt pucker control is the basic gist of it. Do it right and you can make the machine say anything.

PM me if you want a copy. I'm not sure where the link on the net is now.

 

[rj420]

yep

if you can focus on things while answering questions, you can pass one. My buddy just passed one for the fire department. He also took 5mg of valium before he went in. The first ? they asked was if he took anything to alter his mood before the polygraph. Also, they asked him about smoking pot, cigarettes, doing/selling drugs... all of these which he did do in the past, and he passed them. But, he failed a ? about stealing from an employer, which he never did do. So IMO, polygraphs suck ass.

 

[solidj55]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[tee]

Hell, from the look of the cops around here, I think they see how much food you can eat, and how fast! lol. Seriously though, a lot of them are really out of shape so I cannot imagine they had any P.T. that amounted to anything. As far as the polygraph comments go. If you or anyone ever needs assistance with those damn things, a good site is www.antipolygraph.org