Advice for a woman that applied?

[mama_mx]

Hello everyone!

I took my entrance exam on 10/03/08 and PAT is on 10/24/08 for RSD. I am going to attend the Womans Fitness Challenge on 10/18/08 just to get an idea of what the PAT will be like. Do they expect the same times for women as the men? I don't mind, I just need to work harder if so. I know this process will not be easy. Does anyone have any tips for me? I really want to pass. I have always wanted to be in the field of law. I am going to schedule a few ride alongs. I think that I am just nervous that I don't know what to expect.

[SoCalSheriff]

Hello everyone!

Do they expect the same times for women as the men?

There is a minimum POST standard all applicants are expected to meet regardless of gender....

[mama_mx]

There is a minimum POST standard all applicants are expected to meet regardless of gender....

Thats what I thought but then I was given the paper for the Womens Fitness Challenge date. I started to doubt what I had first thought.

Thanks:)

[doc_holiday]

You want to get in shape, go to Crossfit.com. Trust me.

[Copp'rPenny]

The biggest challenge for most women is jumping the 6-foot wall. It took me two months to master it (I'm 5'2"). I'd start working on it right away. You'd be surprised at the number of women who go to a PAT without ever attempting the wall ahead of time.

There are several ways to jump the wall. If you're flexible enough, most women "chicken wing" the wall (wrapping their arm over the wall, top of wall in the arm pit, arm bent like a wing) then kick one leg up. If you can get your heel on top of the wall, you can use your lower body strength to rotate your hips over the wall. I can do this in a pinch, but prefer to muscle it over like a really short guy (guys use their upper body strength to propel themselves over ... if you want to go this route, lat pull-downs and shoulder work are key).

If you go to San Diego PD's website, they have a video of these techniques and more that women use to get over the wall. It's helpful to see it, even over and over again.

Best of luck!

[SoCalSheriff]

There is a minimum POST standard all applicants are expected to meet regardless of gender....

As pointed out by one of my colleages, I need to clarify this statement:

The POST standard is applied to GRADUATE.


RSO also holds the same standards (just a little more lax) as part of the hiring process. For example: instead of a 12 min 1 1/2 mile run, to get hired they want a min. of 13.

There is no POST standard for the hiring process.

You will have to pass the POST standards before graduation. And yes, as far as the hiring standards go, men and women are held to the same minimum standard.

[mama_mx]

The biggest challenge for most women is jumping the 6-foot wall. It took me two months to master it (I'm 5'2"). I'd start working on it right away. You'd be surprised at the number of women who go to a PAT without ever attempting the wall ahead of time.

I noticed you are in OC. I am in Riverside. Do you know of a place to practice near by?

[Copp'rPenny]

Academies that are associated with colleges tend to be more open than those run by sheriff's departments. The ones open to the public in OC I know about are at Golden West in Huntington Beach and Cal State Fullerton. Maybe Fullerton is doable?

When I was at the PAT for San Bernardino County Sheriff's, I did hear that one woman was able to go to their academy and practice the wall. But it's in Glen Helen, so it's not really close ... to anything!

[KataKlysmic]

My best advice would be move from Riverside county and come apply for LA County.

LOL

[Roner]

Check with the recruiting offices for the sheriff's departments. They often will offer preparation and training opportunities for people who are going to test for LE jobs. Also, check with community colleges to see if they offer any classes to prepare for LE testing/academy.

[avaand]

The PAT you are referring to (the initial one after the "entrance" exam) is woefully easy. If you are a female, the only portion I have ever seen anyone have trouble with is the wall(s). Out of the 150-200 people that will be there that day, I would venture to say that perhaps 5 to 10 won't pass. Drive around any new home development, find a wall in a common area, (not one that leads to someones yard!), get out of you car, pretend 5 pitbuls are chasing you and you'll fly right over. The rest should be cake. Then go home and ponder all of the much more complicated and subjective phases of the hiring process ahead.