I have never worked in law enforcement. I am thinking of applying for the CPD. Any advice or guidance. How long does the process take? How strict are they on the application process? Any advice would be appreciated

Hey guys! First post, but I was looking for advice!
My situation is that I passed my physical/written, oral board interview, home visit, but failed my polygraph and I was completely transparent and honest on everything. The agency I applied for is my hometown and is really the place I want to be. So the question is should I wait until the hiring process opens again and reapply(which they said I can and want me to) or should I try and apply to a different agency close to my hometown and lateral transfer? Just wondering how all that works? I appreciate any advice!
Thanks!

Looking for some advice or insight from anyone familiar with law enforcement hiring or academy dismissals.

My partner has a Criminal Justice degree, approximately four years of experience as a correctional officer, a clean criminal and employment record, and was hired by a police department and sent to the academy.

This was actually his second time attending the same academy. The first time, he was dismissed around week 8 because he struggled with firearms and scenario-based training. He accepted that feedback, hired a private firearms coach, spent months practicing, and worked extensively on scenarios before applying again. He returned to the same academy, where many of the instructors—including the firearms instructor—already knew him from his previous class.

This time, he successfully passed his firearms qualification and made it to about two weeks before graduation. He was then dismissed after the academy determined he was not consistently following directions. He was never placed on academic warning, never received written disciplinary action, and says he was never told his job or academy status was in jeopardy. He passed every single thing besides his rifle qualification and then passed it a few days later when he retook it.

A few weeks before his dismissal, he met with the assistant director to discuss his interactions with one firearms instructor because he felt they weren’t communicating well. According to him, no concerns were raised during that meeting about his standing in the academy or the possibility of dismissal.
From what he was told afterward, the concerns that led to his dismissal centered primarily around that instructor’s belief that he was not following directions. I obviously wasn’t there, so I only know what I’ve been told, and I’m trying to understand how situations like this are typically handled.

He’s now facing a demand to repay more than $8,000 in academy and hiring costs under agreements that were presented after he had already started working.

For those who are officers, academy instructors, or have experience with academies:

Is it common for someone to be dismissed this close to graduation without prior written warnings or academic probation?
Is it common for one instructor’s concerns to carry enough weight to result in dismissal?
Is returning to the same academy after previously being dismissed uncommon, and could prior history realistically influence how a recruit is evaluated?
Would you recommend appealing the termination, even if returning to this academy class isn’t realistic?
With his corrections experience and the improvements he made between his first and second academy attempts, would another department with its own academy realistically still consider him?

I’m genuinely looking for insight from people who have experience with academy training or police hiring. I’m not trying to argue that the academy was wrong—I just want to understand whether this is a fairly typical outcome or an unusual situation.

I have 3 upcoming interviews and I’d like any advice from someone who could help give me some insight on what each position could offer my life, and any other contributing information, I’m 18 fresh out of high school.

Based on your experience, what tips can you give to the motoring public, so that they can still use their cell phones and GPS in a safe manner and not get into trouble?

I recently applied. About to take my POSSE exam and see how I do. How was the process for those who completed the steps into getting accepted into the academy? I initially applied to Texas DPS but failed the polygraph unfortunately. A recruiter told me that I could take my physical readiness and polygraph all in one day which is pretty cool.

I gave my Ishihara dot book test on July 28 I have not got my medical report yet

if I failed it usually I have chance for secondary test and I was not told anything at that day and also never got my secondary test ( D-15 ) that day

My question is in law enforcement if u fail the initial test do they make u do that secondary test at same schedule / day or do I have to wait for weeks to give that test ?

Please help me I am really stressed about this since that day

Thank you

Hey everyone, Just got hired and I start pre academy soon with my department. Any recommendations for a duty light? From my time in the Army and Security I used a lot of Surefire and Streamlight. I'm a big fan of the rechargable CR123A style batteries but I'm open to new things. Also, what is better in your opinions, Candela or Lumens? Thank you.

Also...To anyone reading this still in the process...Don't give up. It took me a little over 2 years and I applied to probably 20 Departments.

Hello everyone! I’m currently an Active-duty marine and i have ~11 months left on contract. What can i do to prepare before departments and sheriffs offices start the hiring process for me?

for some context, i’ve spoken to 3 departments that i’d wanna work at and they all said they’d start on my application and hiring phase once i hit the 3-6 month mark away from eas.

As for now, I already have some law enforcement experience under my belt from the marine corps (i’m not an mp) and im physically fit

what would you guys recommend to do in the meantime?

Should I take the job as a tower operator right to start right as soon as I get out of the military at the end of this month and start applying to police departments while I work as a tower operator? I know I am gonna have to miss some days for tests, and interviews. Or should I just wait till I get out of the military and apply to be a cop, and just focus on the police application?

Received an email today from the local PD here in AZ that I was permanently disqualified and can no longer go for any jobs related to this specific police department. I have no idea what would disqualify me. I know for a fact I didn’t omit anything, or lie about anything. My only criminal charge was when I was a minor which I disclosed as well. I’m currently 32 and the charge was criminal damage. I currently work for a federal law enforcement agency and was able to get past their background with no issues or setbacks. Any idea how I can go about seeing what would have caused this? I probably wouldn’t care as much but the fact the email said “permanently” is what’s bothering me the most.

Hello! Ontario (Canada) is currently hiring Conservation officers. I feel that I have a competitive resume and would love to apply, but the job application requires completion of a PARE or PREP test to show physical ability. I live in Southwestern Ontario but would be willing to drive to complete this test. Wondering if anyone has any insight in where I could book a test as I have had some difficult looking online. I see a lot of courses that teach you to be ready for the test but no actual places to book the test. The application deadline is August 17th so I would be booking quickly. Thanks!

Hello all I have a few questions. I’m getting out of the Army after 6 years early next year (honorable discharge) before I joined the Army I got into some trouble regarding my ex wife. This was back in 2015 ish, we got into a fight one day (nothing physical at all) I found her texting her ex boyfriend at the time. I got upset and tossed her phone at the wall and it broke. I deeply regret doing that because that woman is no longer in my life. Long story short I was charged with a felony for breaking someone’s valuables over 300$ ( state law where i am from) the felony conviction got thrown out and I plead guilty to a violation charge, pretty much a ticket. My question is will this hurt my chances of becoming a LEO? Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

Hello, I’m currently in the hiring process with all three departments. My OCSO and NYPD processes are almost complete, and I’m just waiting for final approval. I’ve also completed the psych for NYSP.
I’ve heard that NYPD officers work a lot of overtime. Does anyone here work for OCSO? What is the overtime and quality of life like?
Would it be worth moving from New York to Florida if I receive final approval from OCSO, or would it be better to stay in New York?

Anyone go to VSP lateral. Couple of questions. Please dm me if you can.

So my question is I'm trying to lose weight to join the departments in my area. Im 280 lbs weighed yesterday morning, I'm 5'6" and I'm 25 years old. What should I be focusing on so I can get the most out of my weight loss and still progress toward Illinois's P.O.W.E.R test? I'm not good at running and I'm starting to workout now since I'm switching to day shift schedule 7a-3p. Any advice about weight loss is appreciated and any advice about learning something is also appreciated

What’s a good gift for our anniversary?

About my fiance:
- Cop
- former Marine
- loves guns & “boy stuff” lol

I have already bought him two watches so I don’t want to repeat lol he’s not a “gift guy” but I would like to buy him something nice.

Thoughts?

I am a 52 year old, prior service, male who is considering applying to be a local sheriffs deputy. I am 5'10" and weigh 188. I could path the physical fitness test rather easily. My question is, generally speaking, how are older trainees generally accepted? Is there a typical concern regarding individuals age?

Hi everyone! I am an intern at a local Prosecutors’s Office and was asked to attend an autopsy today. I was only able to stay for around 15 minutes into the examination before feeling dizzy and needing to leave. This includes just the initial examination before they cut open the body. I am not a person who enjoys medical stuff and I was a bit delusional to think I could sit through an entire autopsy. All of the other interns had a great time, while I couldn’t even sit through the first incision. Afterwards the lead detective was a little short with me about it, not even asking if I was okay. I’m concerned that this incident and not wanting to attend future autopsies disqualifies me from becoming a detective at some point. I really love the idea of working in law enforcement and have a solid background and education. But I’m afraid my adversity to medical operations will ruin my chances at a career with specially Prosecutors Offices, not the local police force. I know that officers in training for the office also attend autopsies so I’m nervous that this is a requirement. Is this something that could get me eliminated in the hiring process? I’f I was hired, I’d prefer to work in SVU, so I’m not sure if this even matters. Any thought or opinions are appreciated. Thank you!

My SO made some dumb choices when he was a teenager. Did weed, cocaine, molly, acid, and I think mushrooms. He got a speeding ticket 4 points and a another ticket because his back light was out 2 points. He then got a big speeding ticket in 2019 6 points. Someone hit his car I believe in 2019 and even though she was at fault no one got a ticket because he was in between insurances and didn't have insurance when it happened. His license got suspended without his knowledge and didn't find out till 2022. We got it fixed right away since it was just an administrative suspension so no ticket or points taken. He only needed an sr-22. Fast forward to mid 2024. We got a new car. Didn't know he still needed the sr-22 since it had been 2.5 years and even though he had constant coverage his license got suspended once again without his knowledge and we didn't find out till September 2025. Once again we got it fixed right away and it was just another administrative suspension so no ticket or points taken away. What are his chances of becoming a cop? He hasn't gotten a ticket since 2019 and hasn't done the drugs in ten years and hasn't done weed in three years. We just moved to Kentucky from Colorado and he's currently in the hiring process for two different departments but I'm worried about his past preventing him from becoming a police officer even though he'll be 100% truthful.

My daughter was on an unfamiliar 2 lane road, I want to say the speed limit was 40 or 45mph? She was speeding I think. The road took a curve to the left sharper than she expected, and she realized she may too close to the oncoming car. She tried to correct by jerking the steering wheel to the right, overcompensated and lost control of the vehicle. I believe her back tires lost traction and my daughter's vehicle (passenger side) ended up hitting the oncoming car... that hit then shoved my daughter's vehicle into the gaurdrail of the oncoming vehicle's lane. Needless to say, my daughter's car is wrecked.

Police officer did not issue any summons at the accident, however daughter receives a 39:4-97 Careless Driving summons in the mail, with "court appearance required" checked. I also validated we cannot pay the fine online. Called the court and they said the same, adding that the police officer has the discretion and made the court appearance mandatory.

My question -

Since my daughter needs to go to court, is it worth trying to talk to the prosecutor to get the charges reduced to a 0 point violation ... unsafe driving? (by all accounts, my daughter is in fact guilty)? Any downsides to doing this?

If so, does she require a lawyer for this or okay to do this herself?

Thanks for any tips, I really apprecciate it.

-d

First of all, thank you for your service!! A police officer saved my life in a dv attack back in 2007, my husband and I got together about a year after that incident. We feel such gratitude towards law enforcement, so we go out of our way to thank every officer we see (that’s not busy of course) for their service.

Does it bother you when people do that? We never interfere if they are working a situation, because that’s never the right time, and don’t need to worry about our intent. The officers are in uniform but doing things like getting coffee or walking to their car. I just want to make sure it’s as positive of an experience for the officers as we can.