So you want to become a Police Officer? Just kidding, I know that’s not the goal of most reading this. With everything going on you guys just want to know what it was like, and what we learned..I got you. I remember 2 years ago when I started the academy wanting to write this blog about my experience, I’m glad I’m finally doing it. It’s barley 2 years since I graduated, but still seems like so long ago.. I’ll try to recall everything to the best of my availability.
Although both of my degrees are in Criminal Justice, I never wanted to be a cop. But I have always been interested in forensics and the Criminal Justice System. I have always had some interest in becoming a detective, let’s be honest Law & Order makes it look real fun. But to be a detective you have to be a cop first. I was unfulfilled and unhappy with my job so decided it was time to apply to the academy. I applied to a few different jobs like state and local corrections officer and probation a parole, but ultimately decided that my department would be best for myself, my husband and our future family.
Before your first day at the academy there is a whole process to even be selected. First, your application. Then a series of questionnaires that were completed online and used in your interview. My interview was with two recruiters, recorded and they asked some real personal questions. They asked a variety of questions, some you would expect like about any drug usage but then some you wouldn’t expect like what type of porn do you watch. I think they are meant to make you uncomfortable, but also to judge your character, and see how honestly you answer. You also have to do a a background check, polygraph, psych exam and panel interview. My recruiter called my references and job and had extensive conversations with them about my strengths and weakness, why I’d be a good fit, etc. I started the process July 2017 and was ready for the October 2017 class. Since I was getting married in November and already had a week honeymoon planned I was able to push my start date until the next class, and I started with Recruit Class 179.
In February 2018 I started the Police Academy. My friends and family were supportive, but I can’t say they were excited about my new career choice. The academy attended has a different process than most departments. After you pass the interview stage the city hires you, pays you to while you’re in the academy and then you work for the department upon gradation. We had 4 extra weeks after our state exam for department specific training.
Let me go ahead and say this. Our class was majority white men, as you can see reflected in the department. Majority of the academy staff and instructors were white men also. I am a Black & Mexican woman, I’m use to sitting in a room full of people who don’t look like me. There were six females in my class, and we all graduated. Five of us currently still work as officers. Of the 6 women, 4 of us were minorities. To be honest we were the underdogs of the academy. But we motivated and helped each other through. These ladies are probably some of the best officers to come out of our class.
I started the academy at 26 and most of the other recruits were younger than me. I’d say an average age of about 24. We had one class mate who turned 22 during the academy, but also someone who was 35 and came to the academy after a career in the military. I’d say 1/3 of my class was prior military service. Majority of the class had 4-year degrees, 3 of us had advanced degrees, 2 people spoke a foreign language. 24 graduated in our class, 5 were black.
I’m not embarrassed to say right from the beginning the academy was a challenge for me, literally from the third day. I had to work really hard to get through. Almost every skill I learned in the academy was new to me. Okay a quick break down.. it’s 6 months of training. Training consists of tests (state exam at the end), physical training and tactical training. It’s broken down into three phases and each phase has a different instructor. The academy did a hell of a job picking out these instructors and coordinating them with the appropriate phase.
The first phase instructor, let’s call him Sam, was super intimidating. He yelled loud and often. Phase one heavily focuses on physical training. Although I was working out prior to the academy I was no where near prepared like I should have been. I just got married the previous November and was real fat and happy. I lost some weight prior to starting but weighed in at a solid 173.
You don’t get your uniform and PT clothes until day 2 or 3 so you wear a suit until then. I cannot remember the reason but we for sure had to do push-ups and planks in our dress clothes, just like I’d seen in the movies. On day 3 we did the cooper fitness test. The cooper fitness test is standard test based on age and gender that is suppose to determine your fitness level. Before you begin the test your weight, height and BMI are taken. The test consists of a 1.5 mi run, maximum pushups in a minute, maximum sit ups in a minute, 300 meter run, maximum bench press and vertical jump.
We took the test 3 times throughout the academy. I scored very low the first time. I wasn’t the lowest in all categories but over all my score was very low. There were 4 of us that scored low. We all had to meet with the instructors and command staff to discuss our future with the department. It was meant to break us, and it worked on some, 2 people quit. Sam straight up told me that he would kick me out if he could, buy the decision wasn’t up to him. I don’t think he expected me to come back the next day but I’ve been doubted my entire life. I used his worlds as my motivation.
When I started the academy I still wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to be a cop. But I knew that I wasn’t ready to give up until I made the determination on my own. They were on my ass during PT. Really the only thing I didn’t have to work super hard at were the tests. Yes, I still had to study and spent a decent amount of time doing it but 80% of my life I’ve been a student so I was confident to get through it.
The academy had a lot of rules and a lot of structure, and I appreciated that. Our uniforms had to be ironed ( and creased on the sleeves), boots shinned, hair neat, walk on the right side of the hallway, don’t walk on the grass, say yes sir/mam to all Officers and many other rules.
The rest of the first week was administrative, equipment issue and some classes. Some of the classes we took included arrest, search & seizure, criminal law, juvenile law, ABC law, motor vehicle law, criminal investigations, drivers training & firearm training. Phase 2 of was heavy on classes and tactics. We had a state of exam to pass in phase 3 so academy staff wanted to make sure we were prepared.
Without getting into too much detail bc about the training, it was tough. We started firearm training in week 7. We were given our firearms and started classroom training. I had never shot a gun prior to the academy so this was the most intimidating part for me, but the training was extensive. We spent days at the range, rain or shine, hot or cold and morning or night. Towards the end of the academy we qualified with our duty weapon and I made a huge improvement since our first day shooting. You have to pass 2 of the 3 times when your in the academy. You have to qualify during the day and night, combat and with the shotgun during day and night. Besides just learning the basics of shooting we also had scenarios to work through. Range staff tries to put you in high stress situations the best it can but honestly it’s really hard to try and create those.
Phase 2 was heavy on tactics, we did firearm training, drivers training and defensive tactics training. The phase 2 instructor, let’s call him Max, was much different than the first. He was very quiet and didn’t yell. Just used his look of disappointment for intimidation. The academy has multiple officers come and volunteer to help with different scenarios. For these we would typically be outside of a room and we would be given a “call for service”, for example.. There’s a domestic dispute, man possibly has a gun. We’d have to open the door and go handle the call. The staff and officers would be role players and would also be in the room watching to see how recruits handled the situations. These scenarios were my favorite part of the academy. I felt I could really show that being an officer was more than being physical fit or driving fast.
The worst day of the academy was also in phase 2, the gas chamber. It was so quick, but my far my least favorite. We went into the chamber with our masks and when it was our turn we had to break the seal, take a deep breath and speak to the instructor. I felt like my whole day was effected after the gas chamber. Worst than being tased, that was only 5 seconds, and being pepper sprayed. After washing my eyes and showering there were no effects from the pepper spray.
By phase 2 we weren’t doing PT three times a week, but I was still working out every morning. We had our second physical test and I improved drastically. I remember one specific day we ran MILES around the academy and stopped at different locations doing exercises at every stop. For majority of the workout I set the pace. I was no where near the fastest in the class, but I always kept up. So it was nice that I was being recognized for all the hard work I put in. At the end of the workout Sam told me I impressed him. By April I was already 15 pounds down and could feel I was much stronger. By the time I graduated I was about 155, so I lost almost 20 pounds in the academy and was the strongest fittest I’d ever been in my life.
During phase 3 we had a female instructor, let’s call her Pam. Having her for the last phase was a great choice because she was very encouraging and motivating. I’d cross paths with her in the locker room and she would always ask how I was doing and how she could help. Even 2 years later she still sends emails to the females and asks us how we are doing.
Phase 3 consisted of a lot of tests. The state exam, the driving tests, firearm qualification, defensive tactics “red man” (I’ll explain) and our department specific tests. The state exam was a written exam that we took at a community college. I passed all sections the first time. The driving tests were state mandated driving courses. You could test early and not have to complete the courses on test day. I attempted, but did not test out early. I had to pass all courses on test day. Looking back, the courses are super fun. You get to drive fast and sort of reckless. Compared to real life policing you have to be aware of other people and vehicles. Some of the courses requires us to drive in “rain”, stimulated rain by sprinklers, drive backwards swerving through cones and maintaining a certain speed around a curb without hitting and cones. Red man was also very intimidating, but wasn’t as bad as it was hyped to be looking back. You go through a series of drills where you fight the instructors and other officers. The main point is that you don’t give up. There may be times as officers that we could have to fight for our life, this drill is suppose to put us in that mindset.
It’s been over 2 years since I’ve graduated the academy. Although all the training was necessary and helpful it is true that you learn more she you’re on the street. The academy training does a very good job putting us in scenarios but you can’t predict every situation and how people will react. Domestic violence calls for service and traffic stops can be the most dangerous situations we are in as officers, and we had a lot of training on both, but within a month on the street I was put into multiple situations that I had not “practiced.”
I never felt that race really played a role in my academy experience. There was actually an incident that occurred dealing with race that I believe that academy handled very well. I do however feel there were gender biases in the academy, and out on the street some as well.. but we will save that for another day.
I had to work VERY hard in the academy, but I feel it’s made me a better officer. It’s made me truly appreciate my career and the community I serve.
I truly enjoy my job, and people often tell me that they could never do it. And that’s 100% true. It’s not for everyone. I don’t post about it often or talk about it much, mainly because I don’t want to constantly defend my career choice or hear unwanted opinions about police. It’s hard at times, but rewarding. If you’re interested in joining I don’t need to tell you the world needs honest, good police officers right now more than ever. Representation matters and I think it’s important that the community I serve sees someone who looks like them in me.
“Be The Difference” was plastered all over the academy, which basically means don’t talk about it, be about it. Make sure if you want change you’re actively doing something positive to help create change.
I’m still new to this, and have a lot to learn but leave a comment if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer, Or send me an email at wifeychat@gmail.com if it’s more private.
This was taken the day I graduated, on the way to celebrate my graduation. Didn’t get to crazy because I started the next day, plus I’m an officer now.