What can I expect at the Police Academy?

I will be going to the police academy for training as a local county police officer. I was wondering what I should expect, what kind of training, and how intense.

I know that I will be doing my weapons qualifications, etc, but I was wondering if someone could give me a good description of the whole training process.
I am sure academies are different throughout the country, but the one I will be attending will be here in Tennessee.

So any advice to help me along the way would be greatly helpful, maybe some tips as well.

Thanks to everyone in advance.

rangers_86

Be in tip top physical shape. You will be doing a lot of physical training through the academy. This can include push ups, sits ups, running...etc. That is probably if not the biggest thing they look at. A big suggestion and or tip, if you didn't start already, begin to run a lot.

You can also look for like you said weapons training, self defense, Emergency Vehicles Operations Course if they patrol, local, state, and federal laws, interviewing people, how to arrest people, the list goes on...here is a list of basic things you will be learning, its not from your state but every agency follows the same guidelines for the most part.

http://www.palomar.edu/policeacademy/AJ%2090%20Basic%20Police%20Academy%20I.pdf

Anthony A

From what I hear it weapon training and a lot of physical training. And studying too. Just get into the best shape possible and you should be fine. Having good endurance is a must. You have to be able to keep yourself going for a long period of time. I want nothing more then to be a cop but I failed the exam the first time I took it. Good luck at the academy.

leslie S

This is in general for most police academies.

It will be intense. If you are not used to studying get used to it. Your state does the same as most states in that the basic police officer training course is 8 to 10 weeks. That is the equivalent is one full year of full time college at the 100 and 200 level.Your department may require more. That does not include your field training which in most places is another 6 to 8 weeks with a field training officer working the street.

Your physical training will be extensive, usually about 1 to 2 hours a day.
You will also be taught teamwork on a non team basis, how to work like a team with others who you never met before.
Classes will include law, safety methods, arrest techniques, ethics and on and on.
As far as working as a group it will be like High School instead of college because you are in a cohort and all attend the same classes together.
If you have never trained with a handgun you are in luck, since you will not have to unlearn bad habits.
It will be fun and challenging and you will remember the experience throughout your career.

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