Invited to Police physical / written exam. Advice?

[guerrillakilla13]

Originally Posted by 13FastBlkSS

The biggest thing to remember is use common sense when answering the questions. Try not to view the questions as if you are already a LEO (if that makes any sense, it makes sense in my head lol), also do not overthink the questions.

As far as the type of questions being asked (at least here in California), it has basic spelling / grammar, math, synonyms, etc..

It can't be all that much different from what your test requires. My dept. only requires a GED or high school diploma and I have a bachelors, so I hope that gives me some advantage.

Originally Posted by TXsilvy

Im not leo, but my suggestion is to stick to facts in the written exam. Try not to use words like think, may have, could have, possibly etc. remember that part of the purpose of a cops written report is to hold up in court. Any vague or unsure comments give the defence ammo.

Right! I'm sometimes guilty of not being factual and will get lost in the question. Just gotta take a deep breath and be smart. My writing skills are pretty good, or so I'd like to think.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Ha. I did a practice run of FHP's physical abilities test yesterday. I almost died.

Starting to freak out now. Need to run and drag sand around the backyard more...

yup. You just summarized where i'm currently at. I could only run .75 miles before I had to walk again (as of yesterday). From what i've been told, you gotta run every single day and do push ups / sit ups 3-4 times a week.

Originally Posted by Superman09

My biggest piece of advice is don't over think it. Like others have said it's typically based on a highschool education (or whatever minimum education lvl the dept requires). And they typically expect no leo experience or knowledge.
For the physical part, just finish. Typically there are no points awarded for finishing first or doing extra. Don't kill yourself if there are more tasks to do. Good luck, as many of my FTOs and friends have said, it's a front seat to the greatest show on earth

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

i'm looking forward to all of it. Thanks for the advice. I'm jumping the gun here but I've been watching pepper spray videos and police academy documentaries. It looks tough but rewarding.

[Superman09]

Pepper spray sucks for most people. It feels like the guy at the end of raiders of the lost ark when his face melts off, and then it comes back when you shower.
It is tough but I love my job and can be very rewarding

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

[chuckstacamaro]

Originally Posted by Fred 6528

Your best advice would be to use or better your education's to get a job at a forensics lab if you want to be involved in law enforcement. If that's not an option just keep in mind that with todays society of no respect for authority, liberals and their ideas, Chiefs and Sheriffs that bow down to them, Jesse and AL , Black Lives Movement, ACLU, Heroin epidemic, and the dumbing of America your career will be stressful. Also keep in mind that other stressors will come from command staff members including the officers you work with, this job comes with high rates of divorce, suicide, and after several years it takes it's toll on your body and attitude. The next time you see an officer that 20 plus years in this career ask him "How long before you retire?" you will find that he can quote down to the exact days. If this is your calling then go for it but keep in mind of the things I have said, for anyone that makes a career it they are a survivor. Good luck in your decisions

Agreed, the JOB is Not what it used to be. I have 29 plus years with 3 years, 1 month and 24 days to go. The World does not respect authority and politicians will Not stand up for what is Right. As I told one of my young nieces if you want Law Enforcement study Forensics at least you deal with the Crime Scene after the fact without having to worry about someone stabbing or shooting you in the back. Good Luck.

[Scalded Dog]

Use common sense. For example, you may be asked (as is asked by at least one agency in this area):

"You are on a four lane highway, off- duty and in your personal vehicle, doing 65 MPH. You are passed by a vehicle doing approximately 80 to 85 MPH. Your cell phone battery is dead, and you only have two bullets in your gun. What do you do?"

The answers provided by potential recruits can get pretty wild. Lots of action- hero stuff, lots of comical ideas, lots of imagination. However, the answer is...

"Nothing." You don't do anything. Big deal.... so some guy is going fast on the highway. Any action you take, under the given circumstance, would only make the situation MORE dangerous.

So... just use common sense. Don't get misled by red herrings or crazy details. Just answer thoughtfully, and with logic, reason, and common sense.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by guerrillakilla13

yup. You just summarized where i'm currently at. I could only run .75 miles before I had to walk again (as of yesterday). From what i've been told, you gotta run every single day and do push ups / sit ups 3-4 times a week.

I'm at a mile straight without stopping right now. The good news is I ran the 220 yard run + 100 ft 150 lb dummy drag + 220 yard run back today in 2 minutes and 43 seconds. There's a short obstacle course too but I'd have 6 minutes to complete everything, so I think I'll be good for Saturday.

[CRF8]

I cant stress enough that a forensics job is NOT the same as a law enforcement officer. Not to insult, but it's not like on TV. Forensics people go to crime scenes and work in a lab. They do not make charging decisions or make arrests. They deal with evidence and factual events, write a report and then they are done with their part.

[guerrillakilla13]

I was watching a documentary on the police academy, and one scenario had all recruits standing by their personal vehicles while they got inspected by the drill instructors (is that what i'd call them?). They would get yelled at for the smallest things, like tinted windows, arriving earlier going 1mph over the speed limit, or having even small amounts of trash in the car. I would actually be pretty scared of what they'd say to me with my 1LE; it's the only car I have. I might just borrow my parents clean 2004 ford expedition so I don't stand out.

In another, more funny part of the documentary, a recruit came into class late (was dropped off by his mother in a minivan), and was absolutely demolished for it. They embarrassed him good in front of the rest of the recruits and had him do many push ups. Now THAT makes me confident because I know I wouldn't screw up like that haha. It did make me question some of the picks for the academy though.

Another guy didn't know how to stand at attention. I feel like this is stuff they all should know before they enter the academy.

Originally Posted by Superman09

Pepper spray sucks for most people. It feels like the guy at the end of raiders of the lost ark when his face melts off, and then it comes back when you shower.
It is tough but I love my job and can be very rewarding

Sent from my campfire using smoke signals

Watching all of the videos terrifies me, but from what I've heard the pain eases up after a solid half hour or so. I don't know I hear people would rather be tased many times than maced once.

Originally Posted by chuckstacamaro

Agreed, the JOB is Not what it used to be. I have 29 plus years with 3 years, 1 month and 24 days to go. The World does not respect authority and politicians will Not stand up for what is Right. As I told one of my young nieces if you want Law Enforcement study Forensics at least you deal with the Crime Scene after the fact without having to worry about someone stabbing or shooting you in the back. Good Luck.

I'm not going to get political here, but we can thank certain people in a certain white house for all this "anti police" BS.

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Use common sense. For example, you may be asked (as is asked by at least one agency in this area):

"You are on a four lane highway, off- duty and in your personal vehicle, doing 65 MPH. You are passed by a vehicle doing approximately 80 to 85 MPH. Your cell phone battery is dead, and you only have two bullets in your gun. What do you do?"

The answers provided by potential recruits can get pretty wild. Lots of action- hero stuff, lots of comical ideas, lots of imagination. However, the answer is...

"Nothing." You don't do anything. Big deal.... so some guy is going fast on the highway. Any action you take, under the given circumstance, would only make the situation MORE dangerous.

So... just use common sense. Don't get misled by red herrings or crazy details. Just answer thoughtfully, and with logic, reason, and common sense.

Thank you for that. I actually was going to say "nothing". Guess that puts me in good standing lol. Seems like it could be tricky to someone with an imagination.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm at a mile straight without stopping right now. The good news is I ran the 220 yard run + 100 ft 150 lb dummy drag + 220 yard run back today in 2 minutes and 43 seconds. There's a short obstacle course too but I'd have 6 minutes to complete everything, so I think I'll be good for Saturday.

When is your test date? Mine is still a few weeks away so I have at least some time to run everyday and get into shape.

[FenwickHockey65]

Was it this documentary?



I watch that for motivation while running at the gym. I don't know if I'll have to do all that stuff since I'll be Auxiliary.

And my PAT test is Saturday.

[Oogabooga]

I say study the Constitution. Especially the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Amendments. Its scary how many cops swore on something they do not understand.

[guerrillakilla13]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Was it this documentary?



I watch that for motivation while running at the gym. I don't know if I'll have to do all that stuff since I'll be Auxiliary.

And my PAT test is Saturday.

Actually yeah that's exactly the video I was talking about haha. Hope you're ready for it!

Originally Posted by Oogabooga

I say study the Constitution. Especially the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Amendments. Its scary how many cops swore on something they do not understand.

I already know the constitution, especially the 1st and 2nd amendment. I'm not planning on being a road bully; i'm one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. But I also understand that this country would depend on me to keep law and order, and I would do whatever it takes to keep people safe. Most police officers are fantastic people. Only a few bad ones, as with any job you'll ever find.

[blake-b]

Another piece of advice - see if the department you are testing for offers ridealongs. If so, go do one and ride the entire shift. This will give you a snapshot of what it is like.

It isn't like COPS. They NEVER show the mountain of paperwork associated with all the stuff they do on there. Reports, evidence, another associated report or two, waiting on tow trucks... getting something kicked back by your supervisor because it isn't correct and having to redo a portion of it... Property and evidence rejecting your packaging because you forgot to write something in or something similar. Thankfully, I'm a supervisor now so I don't have to deal with the preparation as much as the review of it.

Sometimes one good felony arrest will eat your entire shift but that heavily depends on the department's policies and procedures.

One thing I learned about COPS - they were here this summer and they will ask the officers to re-enact certain parts (obviously not the parts with the suspects and/or arrests on camera) so it looks better on camera.

In my academy, if one of us messed up, we all paid for it. I remember getting smoked because someone didn't bring athletic shoes when we all were told to do so the day before. We had to PT relentlessly in our uniforms and were not allowed to dress out in our PT gear. Then we sat around the rest of our day in our uniforms all hot and sticky.

[FenwickHockey65]

I did a ridealong last month with Osceola County Sheriff and it was easily one of the best things I've ever done.

Just finished my last run before my PAT test tomorrow.

[guerrillakilla13]

EDIT: There is one thing I am afraid of (minus the pepper spray and possible tasing. I can handle intense PT and getting yelled at). I'm too nice of a guy. I don't come off as threatening or that of someone who demands respect. Maybe that is just the popular opinion of all my friends but physically i'm in decent shape and rather muscular.

Originally Posted by blake-b

Another piece of advice - see if the department you are testing for offers ridealongs. If so, go do one and ride the entire shift. This will give you a snapshot of what it is like.

It isn't like COPS. They NEVER show the mountain of paperwork associated with all the stuff they do on there. Reports, evidence, another associated report or two, waiting on tow trucks... getting something kicked back by your supervisor because it isn't correct and having to redo a portion of it... Property and evidence rejecting your packaging because you forgot to write something in or something similar. Thankfully, I'm a supervisor now so I don't have to deal with the preparation as much as the review of it.

Sometimes one good felony arrest will eat your entire shift but that heavily depends on the department's policies and procedures.

One thing I learned about COPS - they were here this summer and they will ask the officers to re-enact certain parts (obviously not the parts with the suspects and/or arrests on camera) so it looks better on camera.

In my academy, if one of us messed up, we all paid for it. I remember getting smoked because someone didn't bring athletic shoes when we all were told to do so the day before. We had to PT relentlessly in our uniforms and were not allowed to dress out in our PT gear. Then we sat around the rest of our day in our uniforms all hot and sticky.

Right, and i'm totally fine with that. I'm not expecting guns and lights and sirens every shift. In Scottsdale, some +10 year veteran police officers have never even pulled their guns before. I will be ready when something big does happen though.

Good on ya for making supervisor. It's gotta be tough and competitive in the dept. I was in the explorers program for 3 years back in high school and I did get to do a ride along as well. Both were fun. That being said i'm expecting the worst out of the academy. I can definitely see something like that happening and I'd sure as hell hate to be that guy who forgets and causes punishment to everyone.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I did a ridealong last month with Osceola County Sheriff and it was easily one of the best things I've ever done.

Just finished my last run before my PAT test tomorrow.

I just ran 1.20 miles in about 13 minutes today before I had to stop and walk. Still not quite there yet but i'm getting closer! Really hope you can pull through man, being a police officer has it's ups and downs but mostly ups when you are given the opportunity to make a huge difference in someones life.

[FenwickHockey65]

Passed in 4 minutes 16 seconds. On to the polygraph and psych eval.