Miramar Regional Police Academy (San Diego)

[SDrecruitee]

I was wondering what life is like at the academy. I hear conflicting descriptions about the demands and stress.

I am expecting a military boot camp but I pulled this off of the SDPD website.

Is the academy a live-in, high stress environment?
Academy hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with recruits going home at the end of each day. It is not structured as a high stress academy. Teamwork is highly encouraged.

It says it is not structured as a high stress academy. What high stress is that referring to exactly?

[avalon42]

I was wondering what life is like at the academy. I hear conflicting descriptions about the demands and stress.

I am expecting a military boot camp but I pulled this off of the SDPD website.

Is the academy a live-in, high stress environment?
Academy hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with recruits going home at the end of each day. It is not structured as a high stress academy. Teamwork is highly encouraged.

It says it is not structured as a high stress academy. What high stress is that referring to exactly?

I would classify it as moderate-stress from what I have seen and heard. It is not as high-stress compared to Orange County Sheriff's Academy.

[Showboat]

Does that mean if you are squared away they leave you be? Or do they show everyone a little love now and again? :D

[avalon42]

Does that mean if you are squared away they leave you be? Or do they show everyone a little love now and again? :D

Of course not! You will get "the love" every now and then...especially if they can't find something wrong...they will try to find something right about what you did.

One of my friends going through that academy had his boots nice and shiny...one of the TOs put his boot next to his, and said "Why is your boot shiner than MINE? Get down and PUSH!" :eek:

[Showboat]

Fair enough. I'd rather be "punished" for doing something right than be in their crosshairs for screwing up.

Avalon, how realistic are the hours that SDPD says you spend at the academy?

[e36geoff]

I went to Miramar College a few years ago (not SDPD academy) and the recruits looked happy in the parking lot for what it's worth.

I'm sure there is someone with better insight out there though!

[ExSDSO]

I went to Miramar College a few years ago (not SDPD academy) and the recruits looked happy in the parking lot for what it's worth.

I'm sure there is someone with better insight out there though!

Must have been lunch time lol

[avalon42]

Must have been lunch time lol

11-11:30 :D

[Mabbottusmc]

Get through the first 3 days of the class and you will be fine. They try to stress people the first few days to see if you will quit. After that it all becomes second nature. Yes you will screw up and get yelled at. It's not the end of teh world and you will get over it.

I thought the Mira Mar academy was actually enjoyable. It's much better being out but it wasn't a bad time.

[Showboat]

If you're worried about the stress of an academy, you might want to reconsider your decision to become a police officer. I'm not saying you are worried, but I thought I'd throw this out there in case you are.

Not worried one bit, but I would like to go in as prepared as possible. I've just never encountered a "moderate stress" academy as Avalon put it, so I was trying to gauge that against a high-stress.

[avalon42]

My friend's class is going to be the senior class in two weeks. The first month was described as pure hell; but as the second month came around, it dropped off dramatically. He said that one of the tact officers is a former Marine DI, so he found things that they would be punished for. Part of the stress is learning the material as it goes FAST. My friend wishes they spent more time on the LDs however they have to move at that pace.

If you start getting sloppy and they notice that you are not running to formation or getting your gear squared away, they will start smoking you again (as they should). He and a few of the recruits are paranoid so he keeps working at the pace they set the first month just in case.

My academy is low-stress as they choose to focus on academics. As an extended academy, we get to focus on more scenario based training which should help us out tremendously during FT.

[Eric_C]

Its a great academy, some regard it as one of the best in CA. Its a bit longer than some of the ones in LA, but I think the extra training is worth it.

I know I worked hard and spent a lot of late nights studying, but I was really proud of what I was doing. I also really thought the instructors were awesome!

Its not easy but its a blast! Shooting, evoc, detac!!!!

[ExSDSO]

POST LDs are written very well, they are easy to understand and written in plain english when it comes to cali PC and learning objectives. Plus the instructors are great and they want everyone to pass so as long as you put the effort in.

[Chesterrtm]

I'm graduating from Miramar in a couple of weeks.

Overall it's been an enjoyable experience. The stress level was set moderately high for about the first 10 weeks (mostly PT), but it gets better. The hardest part, in my opinion, is all the testing we go through. I've never taken so many tests in my life!

It's all worth it in the end. I've met a lot of good friends and am looking forward to going 10-8.

Be strong and never quit!

[ExSDSO]

Your guys yellow academy shirts are awesome! I saw a bunch of you guys at the Otay range pumpin out pushups....those were the days. =( You guys looked pretty squared away though so congrats on almost graduating!

[avalon42]

Which academy are you at, and are they using the new scenario-based training curriculum?

I am at Grossmont's Reserve Academy, and no, we do not have the scenario based simulator. We use roleplaying and scenario-driven exercises as part of our regular training.

Down at Southwestern College, they said they have the new video training based simulators.

I'm graduating from Miramar in a couple of weeks.
CONGRATS!!!

[Hi-Def]

Not Applicable

[FooteNasty]

Post removed. . .

[ExSDSO]

Hey SDrecruitee I see we tested on the same day back in October. SDPD hired me, I passed all med & psych now I'm starting on the April 17th academy. Is this the same class you're going in to?

Hmm, and I see you're trying with SDSO, have you had contact with them yet. I applied with them last year they offered me corrections and not LE so I told them to go suck on a lemon. The SDPD process just seemed a lot more professional to me.

Working inside the jail is great experience. You learn a lot on how to deal with people and what to look for with the criminal element. You really get your verbal judo down inside....if you have absolutely no Law enforcement experience (which you probably dont) then I would suggest you consider starting in the Jail.

[Felony77]

my BI told me they run 5 to 6 miles for PT. I was in the military and we never ran 5-6 miles. Is this true or just hype??

[nobodyjr]

my BI told me they run 5 to 6 miles for PT. I was in the military and we never ran 5-6 miles. Is this true or just hype??

It will depend on your TO's. Most runs are 4-5 miles. There are three or four 2 hour PT blocks where they kick your butt thou. Most I did was around 6- all hills.

[Mabbottusmc]

my BI told me they run 5 to 6 miles for PT. I was in the military and we never ran 5-6 miles. Is this true or just hype??

I ran more and faster then I ever did in the Marines. No hype. It's for real!

[hooknbook]

Yup, lots of running!

First two weeks were a bit crazy, loud, and stressful.

There is always a few problem children they concentrate on once they figure out who that's going to be.

If you are in decent shape and smart, you'll have no problems.