So the PAT was on a Saturday. The very next Monday I was making trips to my high school for transcripts, getting forms notarized, filling out my 30+ page history packet, and contacting my references. Good thing because by Tuesday a Detective from Backgrounds called me to turn in my packet ASAP so she could try to get me into the April Academy.
Full suit and tie I turned in my packet as soon and the Police Headquarters opened on Thursday. Took 45 seconds including waiting.
By Friday I had my Background Interview with the Detective. I took about three hours. Afterwards I was scheduled for a Polygraph Interview the following Thursday.
3.29.2008
3.22.2008
PAT and PIQ
I knew I wouldn't have a problem on the written test. After all I took the SD Sheriff's test at age 19 to try to work in Detentions, and I scored well. So when I found out I passed (actually most people pass, so they only call the people that fail), it was no surprise. But now I had a challenge; the PAT.
Funny side note: Daniel took the written test 3 time before passing.
I made two trips up to the obstacle course on my own time and fuel (fucking oil companies; $3.60/gal.). The first time I ran the course I forgot my watch so the only thing I found out was that I could get over the six foot wall with no problem. Then the night before the PAT I went back there with my buddy Daniel and we ran it in about three minutes, but there was no 155lbs. dummy to drag.
So a few hours later there we were, back at Miramar for the PAT. I carpooled with Daniel and we were just barely on time. As I was walking to the back of a 300 person line, I saw my buddy Chris near the front. He had arrived an hour early. Ironic because the line was split in half and he ended up in the same alphabetical group as us.
We were in group two, which meant we would fill out the PIQ (Preliminary Investigation Questioner) before the PAT. I had to tell them everything bad I've ever done... ever. They asked about drugs, high school suspensions, sex with animals, kiddie porn, anarchist groups... And every time you checked the YES box you had to write a paragraph about it in detail. After a while I just started checking the NO box to avoid writing a novel about some trivial thing that barely applied. I'm all for honestly but I don't think they care about... never mind.
So that took about two hours. Then we all grouped up near the six foot wall to cheer on our peers. Cheering doesn't come naturally to me, it's just not my personality, but if it's what they're looking for, then give me a mini-skirt because I want this.
The main point of failure was the six foot wall. Especially if you're not as tall as me, you really need that upper body strength.
I was up. First you climb up and down two ladders; I messed up a little because I started up the wrong latter, nothing major. Then its 70 stairs, down and up; fatigue sets in. After the stairs you weave in and out of cones; what is this, a dog show? Then the three, four, and six foot walls; no problem, but I'm getting very winded. Next is the 155lbs. dummy drag; this fucker is heavy plus I'm exhausted, but I took it slow and steady. My time was 2:05 after the dummy drag, on to the 100 (or so) yard sprint. I was beat, so I kinda jogged it until the last quarter, then I gave it everything I had. Final time 3:06/3:30.
Side note: Daniel got the best time in our group; 2:26
Funny side note: Daniel took the written test 3 time before passing.
I made two trips up to the obstacle course on my own time and fuel (fucking oil companies; $3.60/gal.). The first time I ran the course I forgot my watch so the only thing I found out was that I could get over the six foot wall with no problem. Then the night before the PAT I went back there with my buddy Daniel and we ran it in about three minutes, but there was no 155lbs. dummy to drag.
So a few hours later there we were, back at Miramar for the PAT. I carpooled with Daniel and we were just barely on time. As I was walking to the back of a 300 person line, I saw my buddy Chris near the front. He had arrived an hour early. Ironic because the line was split in half and he ended up in the same alphabetical group as us.
We were in group two, which meant we would fill out the PIQ (Preliminary Investigation Questioner) before the PAT. I had to tell them everything bad I've ever done... ever. They asked about drugs, high school suspensions, sex with animals, kiddie porn, anarchist groups... And every time you checked the YES box you had to write a paragraph about it in detail. After a while I just started checking the NO box to avoid writing a novel about some trivial thing that barely applied. I'm all for honestly but I don't think they care about... never mind.
So that took about two hours. Then we all grouped up near the six foot wall to cheer on our peers. Cheering doesn't come naturally to me, it's just not my personality, but if it's what they're looking for, then give me a mini-skirt because I want this.
The main point of failure was the six foot wall. Especially if you're not as tall as me, you really need that upper body strength.
I was up. First you climb up and down two ladders; I messed up a little because I started up the wrong latter, nothing major. Then its 70 stairs, down and up; fatigue sets in. After the stairs you weave in and out of cones; what is this, a dog show? Then the three, four, and six foot walls; no problem, but I'm getting very winded. Next is the 155lbs. dummy drag; this fucker is heavy plus I'm exhausted, but I took it slow and steady. My time was 2:05 after the dummy drag, on to the 100 (or so) yard sprint. I was beat, so I kinda jogged it until the last quarter, then I gave it everything I had. Final time 3:06/3:30.
Side note: Daniel got the best time in our group; 2:26
3.17.2008
Testing
BACKGROUND
The San Diego Police Department gives three written tests a month, and one PAT. The City of San Diego is in a major fiscal crisis involving the pension. Cut backs and pension reform are coming, and everyone knows it. So their Police Force is jumping ship (there are about 12 Police Department in the County) to secure better salaries, and they are having a hard time finding new Recruits due to the looming financial problems.
Hey good for me. At this point I don't care about pensions and salary, I just wanna be a cop.
But SDPD won't just take any geek off the street. They keep their hiring standards high. If that means that fewer cops are on the streets and more money is being spent on overtime, so be it. Better than having incompetent people that could cost the City more in lawsuits when they fuck up.
THE TEST
So the test is at 8:30 in the morning. I decide to get there by 7:00 because only the first 150 people get in. I went with my buddy Chris from work, and my childhood friend Daniel.
Chris wore a business suit, which was overkill since I suspect some of the people there were homeless, but at least he stood out in a positive way.
I only had about 3 hours of sleep and a McBreakfast, but I felt good. The test was 75 questions that didn't require previous knowledge of law enforcement; mostly reading comprehension, some logic, and grammar. Honestly it was cake. I think I might have only missed 3 questions. Not that it matters; it's a pass/fail test with no ranking.
They said they would call today if I failed. So far I'm in the clear.
The San Diego Police Department gives three written tests a month, and one PAT. The City of San Diego is in a major fiscal crisis involving the pension. Cut backs and pension reform are coming, and everyone knows it. So their Police Force is jumping ship (there are about 12 Police Department in the County) to secure better salaries, and they are having a hard time finding new Recruits due to the looming financial problems.
Hey good for me. At this point I don't care about pensions and salary, I just wanna be a cop.
But SDPD won't just take any geek off the street. They keep their hiring standards high. If that means that fewer cops are on the streets and more money is being spent on overtime, so be it. Better than having incompetent people that could cost the City more in lawsuits when they fuck up.
THE TEST
So the test is at 8:30 in the morning. I decide to get there by 7:00 because only the first 150 people get in. I went with my buddy Chris from work, and my childhood friend Daniel.
Chris wore a business suit, which was overkill since I suspect some of the people there were homeless, but at least he stood out in a positive way.
I only had about 3 hours of sleep and a McBreakfast, but I felt good. The test was 75 questions that didn't require previous knowledge of law enforcement; mostly reading comprehension, some logic, and grammar. Honestly it was cake. I think I might have only missed 3 questions. Not that it matters; it's a pass/fail test with no ranking.
They said they would call today if I failed. So far I'm in the clear.
Going For It
I've had March 15th, 2008 marked on my calender for more than a month now. I've wanted to take the test for over a year now, but the thought of rejection kept me away. It wasn't so much a fear of failing the "fill in the bubble" part. It was fear of the PAT (physical agility test), that comes on the Saturday following.
Despite the user name I chose for this Blog, I can assure you I am not fat, nor do I resemble a Tony. But I am by no means "in shape." I'm a 21 year old college student, so by default I watch TV, surf the Internet, and lack my fair share of exercises. I didn't play sports in high school, and as my metabolism has begun to wear off, I've developed a nice reserve of stored energy above my belt.
But for the past month I've been eating right, riding my bicycle, playing basketball, doing push ups, and (the dreaded) running. I've made progress, and I have confidence in myself now.
Despite the user name I chose for this Blog, I can assure you I am not fat, nor do I resemble a Tony. But I am by no means "in shape." I'm a 21 year old college student, so by default I watch TV, surf the Internet, and lack my fair share of exercises. I didn't play sports in high school, and as my metabolism has begun to wear off, I've developed a nice reserve of stored energy above my belt.
But for the past month I've been eating right, riding my bicycle, playing basketball, doing push ups, and (the dreaded) running. I've made progress, and I have confidence in myself now.
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