Another one bites the dust

[Ninja1234]

Monterey County S.O. just entered a hiring freeze.

[SHU]

Many more to come.

[avalon42]

At least it's just that. When they start laying off people, then you know the turd has really hit the fan.

[lan12]

Just out of curiosity how long do hiring freezes normally last? I hear a lot of posts and discussion about agencies *entering* hiring freezes, but I never hear about them defrosting. Is it years long, or just perhaps one written test is canceled but all others remain?

Thanks.

[DAL]

Just out of curiosity how long do hiring freezes normally last? I hear a lot of posts and discussion about agencies *entering* hiring freezes, but I never hear about them defrosting. Is it years long, or just perhaps one written test is canceled but all others remain?

Thanks.

There is no "normal" period for hiring freezes. The length depends on financial considerations as well as staffing levels. I expect the new freezes to be lengthy because the economy is so bad.

[Bakonewbie]

Isn't it spendy for depts to be in a freeze? I would assume that the cost of OT must be a killer! I don't know the cadet cost VS OT but would think that it wouldn't take long for the OT to out pace the cost of the academy?
I could see them freezing the academy. That must cost a bundle. (testing, academy, etc) I don't see the savings in a total freeze, would seem that taking academy grads in to replace lost officers would make more economic sense? (least the cost of the academy and salary while in would be off the dept)

[VChopefull]

Usually along with a hiring freeze comes tightening up on OT and Take Home cars........ect. The departments will operate under minimum staffing conditions. It's not necessarily cheaper to bring in a rookie cop than to pay the Veteran Officer OT. Did you know that it costs the Department around $115,000 to put one Recruit through an academy. (on average in CA)

[DAL]

I would not be surprised if more departments started requiring recruits to have graduated from a POST-certified academy before being hired. With high unemployment rates, it will be feasible for recruits to attend an academy on their own. That would save departments a lot of money. This seems reasonable to me because virtually every other profession does it.

[VChopefull]

I would not be surprised if more departments started requiring recruits to have graduated from a POST-certified academy before being hired. With high unemployment rates, it will be feasible for recruits to attend an academy on their own. That would save departments a lot of money. This seems reasonable to me because virtually every other profession does it.

Hey fine with me if there is a company out there that will finance my police academy tuition.!

The only problem is that a recruit cant really have a job (to support himself) while going through an academy....Wich makes this idea hard.

[DAL]

Hey fine with me if there is a company out there that will finance my police academy tuition.!

The only problem is that a recruit cant really have a job (to support himself) while going through an academy....Wich makes this idea hard.

The tuition is not very high. It should only cost a few thousand dollars, including equipment.

If you are unemployed, you won't be losing any salary.

There are also full POST-certified academies that are offered on nights and weekends. They take about a year. They are designed for reserve officers, but the Level I reserve academy meets POST requirements for a regular officer.

[VChopefull]

Those are all very good points....Hey, if it would help me "get on" quicker I would be all for it. But I don't see this happening ever with some departments. Some departments tend to be stuck in their ways. I wouldn't blame them for wanting to train their own rookies..

In the private sector academies are the classes taught by sworn officers of civilians?

[2wheeldep]

Ot is always cheaper, than hiring a new trainee. There is no benifits paid out to an overtimer.... just the way it is.

[DAL]

Those are all very good points....Hey, if it would help me "get on" quicker I would be all for it. But I don't see this happening ever with some departments. Some departments tend to be stuck in their ways. I wouldn't blame them for wanting to train their own rookies..

In the private sector academies are the classes taught by sworn officers of civilians?

Many departments are changing their ways these days. Not only is hiring academy graduates cheaper, but it is faster and more reliable. They may add a four-week familiarization course.

Academies are conducted mostly by sworn officers and retired officers. Lawyers may teach some of the legal material, and other civilians may teach things like first aid.

The last time there were hiring freezes, many departments gave preference to hiring from their reserves when the freeze was lifted. These were mostly smaller departments. Reserve experience may also help you get hired elsewhere, especially if you do a good job. So you should consider becoming a reserve officer to get training and experience.

[ateamer]

Hiring an academy grad is not necessarily a known quantity. When we put them through, we are in frequent contact with the academy staff and keep close track of our trainees' progress. Our training sergeant, and FTOs as well, are known to show up at the academy at random to meet with our recruits. Problems are detected a lot earlier that way. We've had a few academy graduates who washed out of field training who would either have been given remediation at our direction in the academy or who would never have started field training in the first place.

[DAL]

Hiring an academy grad is not necessarily a known quantity. When we put them through, we are in frequent contact with the academy staff and keep close track of our trainees' progress. Our training sergeant, and FTOs as well, are known to show up at the academy at random to meet with our recruits. Problems are detected a lot earlier that way. We've had a few academy graduates who washed out of field training who would either have been given remediation at our direction in the academy or who would never have started field training in the first place.

There are drawbacks, but overall you will save money. You will not get a known quantity unless the person worked as a reserve for you. If the academy is run well, you can go back and get the recruit's grades and other information about his performance. And if the recruit fails field training, you will not have invested a lot of money in him.