Employment Questions

[Rookie828]

Forgive me if this question seems stupid (I'm new to LE), but I was wondering if certain Law Enforcement Agency make officers go through their Academy even though they have already been on the job for a year and have passed through the Academy. I'm headed to the Academy next summer and will have a year of experience as a PTO before I graduate. I'm looking at working in the midwest for at least 2-3 years after graduation and I was wondering if I would have to spend a portion of that going through the Academy again.

[WA-K9]

In WA State you have to go through the Basic LE Academy or the equivilancy if you have certification from another state. I had almost a full year, full-time, before I went to the academy. Even with that experience, and the reserve academy, I still learned a bunch. May not be what you want to do but I think it would be beneficial. Also, when your there just act like every other newbie. Nobody, especially the instructors, want to hear about how you did it back home. Good luck!

[WA-K9]

I also forgot to add the academy is a great place to network. I have contacts all over the state with my classmates. Can help with everything from investigations to looking for a new job.