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Careers: Police/boyfriend going through police academy

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Expert: - 8/8/2009


Question
Hi Jack!

My fiance and I live 3 hours away from each other.  He just got accepted into the police academy.  I am very excited for him and am very supportive of him even though I have concerns.

I am especially worried about us living so far away while he is in the Academy.  I understand that it will be very physically and mentally demanding of him and I am trying to relocate closer to him asap, but I don't know if I can find a job before he begins the Academy.  

Can you tell me what his normal schedule will be like?  Some of the officers that he has spoken with say that he may be at the Academy 12 hours a day! But others say it's like a normal 8-5 m-f job?  

I know that we will find a way to work it out regardless what we have to do, but I would really like to know what to expect.
  
Thank you.

Answer
Stacy,

There are thousands of police departments and they send their recruits to hundreds of different police academies across the country.  Each one is run differently so its impossible to tell you what his hours will be.  The only thing that I can offer is how the academy for MY department is run.  Normally the recruits work eight hours a day because they are protected by a union contract and if they worked more than eight hours they would have to pay them overtime.  Sometimes they work at night.  For example after so many weeks the class breaks up into four sections and one section might be doing night shooting, one night driving, and so on.  Now this might not help you at all since whatever academy your fiance is attending is undoubtedly different.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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