My Journey to Becoming an LEO

[Erich in Az]

OK Kids, here we go!

This is liable to become a bit lengthy, so I'm going to break this up in a couple of sections with Cliff's Notes at the end for those who have little or no desire to read a novel. If you guys don't want this here, just let me know and I'll just move it to my own site or a blog somewhere. Let's start with some background:

BACKGROUND
I have always been interested in law, even back in high school. I wanted to be a para-legal or attorney, but college proved to out of my reach due to many variables (most started with $), so rather than grow old and die working at a pizza place, I joined the navy. I also loved aircraft so I became an avionics tech. I loved what I did, but shortly after moving to Whidbey Island I started having allergic reactions for no known reason. They went ahead and let me go to a ship (I begged to go to sea!) but I was still having trouble with the allergy.

I ended up getting pulled off the ship in Norfolk, Va when we stopped to pick up some Marines. While waiting for some things to happen with my command in Whidbey, I worked as a 'Temporary Master at Arms' escorting brig prisoners, etc. It was great work even though it was mostly escort stuff. This got me thinking about Law Enforcement again though. Well, I finally got back to Washington, and they finally tested me to see what I was allergic to. It turns out I developed an allergy to corn! Keep in mind that corn is in EVERYTHING. Some examples are corn syrup, corn oil, corn meal, modified food starch, etc. Go ahead, look at the ingredients for something you just ate or drank. Go ahead, I'll wait...

OK, so odds are you found corn 'something'. Well, the Navy decided I would be stuck on a limited diet and couldn't go to sea, so they gave me a medical discharge. Well, right before the discharge, I had decided to test with a local PD here so I flew back about a month before discharge and tested. Now, this particular PD is a place I am familiar with. My step mom does forensics and property, my dads best friend was a sergeant, my best friends brother was an officer, etc. Well I tested well enough to beat out many people, including current LEO's from other places and was 1 of a few on the short list. Well, the more I thought about things, the more afraid I got. I worried that I would let down my family, etc so I ended up declining.

14 years later, I still regret that decision. Looking back I know I wasn't exactly in great shape mentally. I was still getting over the allergy thing and wasn't happy with the future I was looking at. The rug that was my only future plans was literally yanked out from under me. I sort of rebelled and hung around with the biker types for a while, but I never got in to drugs or anything, but I did struggle with my identity for a while. I ended up getting in to computers for a career and that's what I currently do. How that worked out, only the Man upstairs knows for sure. I really dislike computers, but it appears that I'm good at it. LOL!

About 4 years ago, I decided to try out for another local PD. The weekend before the physical test, I fractured the inside of the first metatarsal. That blew the thoughts of the test for me.

Well, here I am, and I still want to be a cop!

Current Situation
Currently I work as a contractor for the Army doing computer stuff. This means I sit at a desk 8 hours a day and stare at computer screens. On top of that I work 65 miles from my home, so I spend about 2.5 hours a day driving of the freeway. The result... I'm uh... portly. I've never been small, but I've certainly been smaller!

Well, I have decided that since I still hate computers, it's time to do something I have always regretted not doing and become a cop. I've got some old friends in PD I mentioned earlier, and my step mom still works there. I even went to high school with an IA guy who is involved in the hiring process. I also have a friend who is a deputy here. I've been on a couple of ride-alongs with the deputy, but they only allow them once every 6 months. I'd do it WAY more often if I could! I have done a ride-along with the smaller PD as well. More on that later I'm sure.

The ride-alongs have really made me realize how much I have always wanted to do this, so with my wife’s incredible backing, I'm going to pursue it! My wife is 100% onboard with this. We have 3 wonderful children under 5 years old, so I applaud her for letting me change from my comfortable computer job making $60+k/yr to being a recruit making >$40k. I have sold several big 'toys' in an effort to make the money hit more easily handled.

The biggest thing holding me back at this time is the PT test. It scares me... BAD! As I said, my job has me sitting about 11 hours a day including the commute. This has made me 'fluffy'

From what I have gathered, the local test requires a 16:30 mile and a half. I know it's not fast, but it might just kill me right now. We have purchased some exercise equipment including an elliptical and a weight bench (stacked weight cable type). Time on the elliptical confirms my suspicion that any type of running might be terminal LOL!

What I plan to do here is to document my road to becoming a cop. I haven't decided between a PD or becoming a deputy, but I'm sure we can cover that later. Right now I will begin by posting weekly weigh-ins and progress. I hope some of you will help motivate me. I know I can succeed but it won't be easy. I had to drag my fat butt a mile and a half in 12:30 for boot camp, there is no reason I can't do it again. I am down about 15lbs and a pant size in the last month, but I have hit a rut. I am more worried about getting in shape than what I weigh, but the less I have to drag around, the better I have no concerns about the academic part of the processes. I'm not trying to be cocky, but I've always been able to knock the socks off tests. The physical things in life have always been my challenge.

I will be posting a link to this thread on my home website so I can hopefully get some peer pressure from there as well.

CLIFFS NOTES]
I want to be a LEO and have for a long time. I've gotten fat and out of shape and need to beat the physical challenge. I'm looking for support. I will be logging my progress by weighing in every Friday and posting my progress.

So, without further ado, let’s get started. For the record, I'm 5'11. I might post a baseline picture of my current state of roundness (I'm in shape! Round is a shape! LOL! )


UPDATES BELOW__________________________________________________ ____


4/7/06
I weighed in this morning at 255.4lbs. I have been trying eat better, and I am eating better than I used to, but I'm still a sucker for Olive Garden. I'm really getting tired of salads. I've got to find a way to change this up. I get bored with the same old stuff all the time. I really like the Strawberry shakes from Slim-Fast. It's the only strawberry milk/shake that I know of that I can have due to the corn allergy, and it's way better than doughnuts for me! This weekend I have a ton of yard work to do, so I should get some good exercise! My goal is to try to be between 249 and 251lbs by next Friday.

4/10/06
I ran for the first time in about 14 years (without someone chasing me that is) today. I still like it, but I am out of shape! I'm sitting here now coughing a bit as my lungs try to figure out what I'm up to. My time was pretty crappy, 1.1 miles in 15:30, but it's better than I expected considering the hills and stuff. Really I just wanted to set a baseline so I have something to gauge off of. I'll stick to this course for my weekday runs until I have it under 11:00, then I'll up the distance to the 1.5 and see how it goes.

4/14/06
Weighed in today at 251.4lbs. I had hoped to drop a little more, but this week has been rough. I have been having to leave for work at 2:45am and have been getting less than 6 hours of sleep every night this week. It hasn't left me much time/energy to work out. On top of thta my car got broken in to 2 nights ago and I've been dealing with getting quotes and stuff. I am going running tomorrow morning and I have 80 bags of concrete to pour, I'll have plenty of work to do.

5/1/06
I've been out of town so my updates are lacking, but here is where I am:

On the 21st I weighed in at 252. It was a bit of a rise, but I'm not all that worried about the strickly weight part. I'm feeling better and looking trimmer, so that's what counts

on the 28th I was at 248lbs so that's down a few more more. The way I see it, the more I lose, I less I have to carry around the track for the PT.

I have not been running as much as I want though and I really need to work on that. Being skinny but out of shape isn't going to help.

[Erich in Az]

Reserved for updates that might go to another page....

[bigun]

Have you thought about the Vetrans Administration? Their background check is very thourough, Money isnt bad depending on where you are, Trainings fair, and physical standards arent quite as strict. The PT standards are easy.

[DNM]

Sounds like a good plan Erich. I'm actually on that same path. Just a few "years" ahead of you. I'm 22 and a little out of shape. I passed my PFAT and my written test and results will be sent in the next few days to the agencies I applied to. I just scheduled a ridealong with a local PD that I rode with last month in for another oppurtunity to pick the minds of the officers I've already established a rapport with. A friend of ours (my gf and I) dad is a Sgt. at this PD and has been my mentor - 21 years on the force. Now that the first part is complete and I'm waiting I'm going to do nothing but work, both of my jobs, and prepare for what lies ahead. It's now a few days after my PFAT and I know/feel that I need to get into much better shape. Though the test wasn't too difficult for me to pass it out of shape... I don't want to continue the rest of the process unprepared like that. Keep us posted man!!!

[Krackels]

You could always move to Philadelphia and try for the Philly P.D.

Originally Posted by http://www.ppdonline.org/career/career_require.php

State Physical Fitness and Reading Requirements
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all Police Recruit Applicants within the Commonwealth to pass a pre-employment physical fitness test and a reading comprehension exam in order to qualify for the position of Police Recruit. These tests are administered by the City of Philadelphia's Personnel Department.

Physical Fitness Test
The physical fitness test confirms that prospective police recruits are performing physically (based on their age and gender) at the 30th percentile. The test includes the 1.5-mile run, situps (within 1 minute), bench press, and the 300-meter run.

Standards for Male Applicants
1.5 Mile Run Age 20-29: Minimum time 13:22
Age 30-39: Minimum time 14:08
Sit-Ups Within 1 Minute Age 20-29: Minimum 35
Age 30-39: Minimum 32
Bench Press Age 20-29: Minimum 0.56 of body weight
Age 30-39: Minimum 0.51 of body weight
300 Meter Run Age 20-29: Minimum 75 seconds
Age 30-39: Minimum 82 seconds

Standards for Female Applicants
1.5 Mile Run Age 20-29: Minimum time 15:57
Age 30-39: Minimum time 16:35
Sit-Ups Within 1 Minute Age 20-29: Minimum 29.5
Age 30-39: Minimum 22
Bench Press Age 20-29: Minimum 0.56 of body weight
Age 30-39: Minimum 0.51 of body weight
300 Meter Run Age 20-29: Minimum 75 seconds
Age 30-39: Minimum 82 seconds

Reading Ability Test
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also requires that all police recruits be able to read at no less than the ninth grade level as established through the administration of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.

Notice there are no maximums posted for the 1.5 mile run and the 300 meter run. This is not a typo. There have been confirmed reports that you just need to complete the test, with no failing time.

BTW, you can do it. Try cutting out any sugared carbonated beverages.

[DNM]

I was a sprinter in high school so maybe this is why I have this issue... but 75 seconds for the 300m is ridiculous. Here it's 71 (max of 56) for men and women. That portion of the test I soared through. Just coming in second in my group and out of shape I ran a 49. Nothing special by any means, but NO where close to 75.

[retired]

At 5'11", you probably need to get down to 175-180. If you think the physical agility test is difficult, wait until you get in the academy.

Personally, if you don't already belong to a gym do so. I know it is an expense, but it can be temporary as I'm sure you can find one that is a month to month membership so you aren't locked in. The reason I say this, is not just for the equipment available, but specifically the pool if they have one and the treadmill.

To lessen the chance of injuries, the treadmill is better for your body I believe as you aren't running on concrete, asphalt or grass with hidden holes. You also have a wide range of speeds and elevations on the treadmill. Start off easy and as you progress, make it more difficult.

If you aren't in good shape prior to entering the academy, you will NOT make it thru. Also, being in shape lessens the chances of pulling a muscle, etc. Eat the proper foods and...if you can afford it for a short period, hire a trainer if not too expensive. Once you catch on to what you have to do, quit using him. If his feelings are hurt; too bad, this is YOUR life, not his, you are concerned with.

One more thing, if you are able to do this with someone else; especially another applicant, it will be so much easier having someone to push you.

Thankfully, I wasn't overweight, nor in bad shape when I began my training, but I did it by myself. Since I hate to run long distance and had to run at a park by myself, it was easy to tell myself I was going to stop running, that I couldn't make it. I stopped often, so it took a little longer.

At 26, when I entered, I was in great shape. During the course of the academy (16 weeks, we didn't have all of that pc bull; cultural diversity, etc.) I was in the BEST shape of my life. We ran 2-3 miles every day besides everthing else. On Fridays it was 8-10 miles. I actually got to my high school weight from 8yrs before. ****Edit to add: I wasn't overweight. I'm 6' 1/2" and I was about 187 and NOT overweight when I began, but got down to 175 (high school) due to loss of appetite (probably stress) and exercise.

Good luck and sorry for the length of this.

[DNM]

Thanks for the heads up retired. As you mentioned, I knew that the PFAT will be nothing compared to the academy. So I have now know my "window" to get training. And if I got back to my high school weight, like you did, I would be around 135lbs. lol

[JayinAZ]

I don't know if they do it in Pima county, but here in Maricopa they have a reserve academy at Glendale CC. You don't take the physical test at teh start, just have to pass it at the end. It's 2 semesters and they do PT.

[one-eyed-fatman]

How old are you?