San Beranardino County SD info

[cantue5]

Hey to all,
Looking for information about the san bernardino county sheriff's academy. I have applied and I am in the midst of the background but info on the academy is sketchy at best. Websites are very vague and searches on other search engines produce only news articles. Is there someone that can provide some insight/personal experience to the acadamy and what life will be like as a sheriff's deputy? I am assuming that acadamy life will be similar to military boot camp but I am comparing to Marine corps boot camp. Can't be THAT bad could it? Went on a ridealong but even that couldn't produce the kind of answers I needed. I remember going to Marine Corps boot camp and wishing I had read all the info my recruiter gave me....now I am looking for info to make life easier while training but so far zip. I did see a ten minute clip on youtube.com of the indoc day for Los Angles Sheriff's but thats it. It was cool to see a glimpse of what I am getting into but I need info for this county. Thanks to anyone that can reply.

[SgtCHP]

I was an instructor at the Academy in the EVOC program in the 90s. The program you are entering is very similar to boot camp and is high stress in an attempt to break you down. However, it is not unforgiving or unbearable. Just listen to the instructors, do your assignments and keep your mouth shut. You should have no problems if you have a desire to attain the position. Here is a site for you:

http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/Sheriff/office_loc/Divisions/Academy/academy.asp

[cantue5]

Thanks for the link but I have looked at this one about a thousand times always looking for something different. I just don't want to go into this academy the way I went into Marine Corps boot camp....knowing nothing! From what I gather you don't have to stay there through the week so I get to go home at the end of the day! Boot camp was stressful 24/7 for three months straight....how long is the stress factor in the academy? Is it hard to study while stressed out? What do you wish you had known before you went in the academy? Thanks for you info!!

[Five-0fromSoCal]

Being a marine, I'm sure you know how to play the game. Like someone suggested, listen and be humble. One difference would be the academic stress besides the pt'ing. Im sure you wont have trouble with the pt. You will be studying alot though. You'll probably get in a study group like most recruits.

[the batman]

i went to the reserve academy there about six years ago...it's a different atmosphere than the actual academy, but we got to see the "recruits" doing there thing many times. what kind of questions do you have exactly? it's very paramilitary. if you've done boot camp, you have a very good idea of what it's like during the academy, except you get to go home everyday.

[cantue5]

Thanks again for the info,
I guess one of my main questions is what things do I need to know before going in? For example, when I went to boot camp I knew next to nothing about the Marines; rank structure, how to address a drill instructor, general orders, and all the little things that your recruiter tells you to study. Needless to say I was totally lost and spent alot of time getting "thrashed" by my drill instructors. I don't want to be that idiot again that goes into another "boot camp" syle atmosphere without knowing the basics. I learned real quick that the less attention you draw to yourself the easier life can be during training! It's been a few years but I don't think I will mind someone yelling at me...I just want to have an answer for what I am being yelled at for! Questions began to pop into my head when my BI asked me "If we send you, your not gonna quit on my are you?" In my head I was thinking "Yeah right...Im a Marine." Then I left the office and began to think about all the "if's". Especially about a place that offers very little information about what they do. Ok I think I am done rambling on....mind is going about a million miles an hour with questions...all while waiting for an answer from the BI! Thanks for all your help and patience!

[SgtCHP]

You don't need to know anything! They will teach you what they want you to know in accordance with accepted standards of training and discipline. Just listen, take notes and study everything. You will graduate knowing a lot that you did not think possible. Good luck and quit worrying so much about that which you do not know!!!!

[FPD GUY]

The first 4 or 5 weeks will be 5 days per week. 0700-whenever you get done. usually about 4-5 pm. After that it goes to a 4-10 schedule with Fri-Sun off. That does not include the hour or so early you need to get there to be ready everyday. You will run 3 times per week with mileage between 4.5-7 miles, with a few 8-11 mile runs. It's a stress academy but just keep your head down and remember that you are always in the wrong, not the tactical staff. You will get good training, but do everything you can to prepare physically. I am prior military, so the marching/formations weren't anything new. You can get alot of good academy info at CABASICPOLICE@yahoo groups. I don't work for SBSD but many of my ex academy classmates do. It's a good department, but one of the lower paid if you don't count all the mandatory overtime once you get into the jail. Good Luck.

[cantue5]

Exactly what I was looking for! I think I am ok on the runs...I dusted off my running shoes a few months ago and I am back up to 3 miles a day. I can do 4 no problem and now that I know what to expect I will start training for the longer ones (I remember those long ridge runs! Jeez!). The work days sound good after the fifth week....great for me because I live in the high desert and will have to commute everyday. I am trying to mentally prepare myself to "be wrong" all the time again so that I learn what needs to be taught. I LOVE drill so I can't wait to start that! Man, sounds like going back into the military without deployments! Looks like a great academy and department and I can't wait to be a part of it....I know it doesn't pay as well as some but can't say that I am in it totally for the money. It pays better than what I do now but I need something that affords more "interesting opportunities". If there is anything that is similar between the military and law enforcement it is that you guys definiately don't get paid enough....just the little that I saw on ride alongs convinced me that you guys should be paid as well as doctors! Thanks again....this site rules!

[Traffic_82]

Exactly what I was looking for! I think I am ok on the runs...I dusted off my running shoes a few months ago and I am back up to 3 miles a day. I can do 4 no problem and now that I know what to expect I will start training for the longer ones (I remember those long ridge runs! Jeez!). The work days sound good after the fifth week....great for me because I live in the high desert and will have to commute everyday. I am trying to mentally prepare myself to "be wrong" all the time again so that I learn what needs to be taught. I LOVE drill so I can't wait to start that! Man, sounds like going back into the military without deployments! Looks like a great academy and department and I can't wait to be a part of it....I know it doesn't pay as well as some but can't say that I am in it totally for the money. It pays better than what I do now but I need something that affords more "interesting opportunities". If there is anything that is similar between the military and law enforcement it is that you guys definiately don't get paid enough....just the little that I saw on ride alongs convinced me that you guys should be paid as well as doctors! Thanks again....this site rules!

From one veteran to another (looks like you're still in, but close enough). It's more like college than boot. And the crapholes you see as a Cop aren't the balkans or the middle east!:D.

And when you're a "boot" on the streets, you're still treated like an adult.

Congrats on getting hired, you'll be fine.

[mbmx13]

A little off of the subject but since you are soon to be a former devil dog, I wanted to share some information with you and I hope that you take it to heart.

Although, I don't currently work for SBSD, I was about to be hired by them in 2004 when I was finishing the academy but they were edged out by a smaller department in Coachella Valley.

I was hired on and loved it. My first day off of training, I was involved in an Officer Involved Shooting that was televised.

I stayed with that department and planned on staying there for 30 years or more but 4 months shy of passing probation, I was let go and not told why.

My friends that were hired by RSO and SBSD are still there and are off probation. Granted, they spent their probation in the jail. But, they are off of probation and are on patrol now. If you wash out of patrol, then you will just go back to the jails but if you wash out at a smaller department then you might end up in my position.

I have been disqualified by most departments even though my department kept me as a Level II Reserve. I am also in backgrounds again with SBSD and they look like they might hire me but I am trying not to get my hopes up.

Also, there are a couple of guys from RSO that transferred to my department and one of them they are already talking about washing him out.

Just a concerned devil dog, so if you have any questions or want to talk to a former devil dog and want an honest answer, PM me.

Hope this helps,

Reserve Cop stuckinsecurity

[ask80]

hey mbm sure hope you do get hired on with SDSB or any other agencies. that sucks about your agency... they must not have a good rep... but no disrespect. are you paid as a level 2 and can you do much? i know you have to ride with a full time officer, correct?

[hbliam]

hey mbm sure hope you do get hired on with SDSB or any other agencies. that sucks about your agency... they must not have a good rep... but no disrespect. are you paid as a level 2 and can you do much? i know you have to ride with a full time officer, correct?


And why as a Level II? You have the full academy and could be used a a Level I.

[cantue5]

Nope not in anymore...been out for about a year and a half and I am already bored. I have a pretty steady job but I am bored stiff. I have been on all the ride alongs and gotten some good scoop but I just wanted to hear from some who have gone to this academy. Haven't gotten hired yet (in the middle of my background...already took poly) but this is the department I want. I have applied to two other smaller city departments (cochella valley), taken tests, went though oral boards and police chief interviews but I really like the way SBSD does buisness. I don't like the idea of working the jails but I figure it is a means to an end. Thanks for the heads up traffic 82...I have heard it is more like college but I am trying to stay in the mindset of being humble and learning without a spotlight on me. I still have a slight twitch from the swim qual and the martial arts instuctor course I took (took me a while to heal from that one!). But I am taking all this advice I read on this forum to heart...sucks to start at the bottom of the totom pole again but I will do whatever it takes to do this job. Sometimes it feels like I am starting the military all over again!!

MBMX...sorry to hear about your situation man. I hope the department you worked for isn't one of the ones I applied for (yikes!). I took what you said and stored it in my mind...if the marines has taught me one thing it is this....that sometimes...just sometimes...bad things happen to good people for no good reason. Any wisdom would be appreciated (academy or otherwise). Thanks to all the "Jarheads" that responded! Semper Fi!

[DOAcop38]

mbmx13- not that I know or understand why you got "sacked" from probation- sometimes ( and I've seen it as a former FTO) Depts or the FTO cadre pick a "charlie brown"- somebody who gets smacked stupid by everything in the world,and often times those same probationary officers aren't that bad.FWIW,you should also be looking into are Depts like the ,Cal State Univ. PDs,Riverside Comm.College dist,fontana city School dist,or similar Depts-not to be "desperate",but just to build yourself back up.Often times dist. or "specialized" PDs get overlooked by applicants( and usually the "C" and "D" list type applicants apply and Fail to get in as they think the standards are lower than a reg. PD-same type of applicants usually waste those Depts time and resources in terms of testing!),so these Depts need already trained applicants and can give you that second chance( as long as you are "clean" and didn't get let go for something bad).several yrs on the "so called" Jr Varsity CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.I have a pen pal who was dead set on Ontario PD and Upland PD- dQ'ed twice,but now is close to a Date of hire with Cal.State Univ.San Bernardino .true the pay isn't high,but it it is what he will make of it($47K to $63K/yr) plus it allow opportunity to transfer to any Dept he might want in the future,or stay and promote..

[mbmx13]

And why as a Level II? You have the full academy and could be used a a Level I.
When I had a meeting with the chief, he had said that the Sergeants had cited an officer safety issue so, he figures that as long as I am with someone else that he doesn't have to worry about me being an officer safety issue.

The funny thing is, I was told by a couple of other people on the Reserves that the Sergeant that had a problem with me is a "racist *****." This isn't the first time that I have had someone tell me this.

Being a white male, I am not considered in the "protected class" and this Sergeant is Hispanic. I was hired along with a white female (still working there), Hispanic female (still working there), Hispanic male (still working there), and a Phillipino male (also, still working there).

I was also confronted by one of the lieutenants that tried prodding me for information on whether I was going to sue the Sergeant or not. He told me that it would not be a good idea.

I am not the paranoid type but I am starting to feel that I got set up. I just hope that no one else becomes a victim of this department.

[mbmx13]

mbmx13- not that I know or understand why you got "sacked" from probation- sometimes ( and I've seen it as a former FTO) Depts or the FTO cadre pick a "charlie brown"- somebody who gets smacked stupid by everything in the world,and often times those same probationary officers aren't that bad.FWIW,you should also be looking into are Depts like the ,Cal State Univ. PDs,Riverside Comm.College dist,fontana city School dist,or similar Depts-not to be "desperate",but just to build yourself back up.Often times dist. or "specialized" PDs get overlooked by applicants( and usually the "C" and "D" list type applicants apply and Fail to get in as they think the standards are lower than a reg. PD-same type of applicants usually waste those Depts time and resources in terms of testing!),so these Depts need already trained applicants and can give you that second chance( as long as you are "clean" and didn't get let go for something bad).several yrs on the "so called" Jr Varsity CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.I have a pen pal who was dead set on Ontario PD and Upland PD- dQ'ed twice,but now is close to a Date of hire with Cal.State Univ.San Bernardino .true the pay isn't high,but it it is what he will make of it($47K to $63K/yr) plus it allow opportunity to transfer to any Dept he might want in the future,or stay and promote..
Thanks for the info and support. I have seen some schiesty things go on in the departments in the coachella valley and I have decided to just stay away from Riverside County Departments. I am also currently in backgrounds with SBSD and have already taken my polygraph. I just got a new background investigator in January but my backgrounds should be nearly done.

For anyone who is applying or in-process with SBSD, I say wait the time that it takes to get picked up. These smaller departments will try to get you to go to their department but the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

[cantue5]

Been waiting "in line" for SBSD for about 2-3 months now in the background investigations.... investigator said no news is good news (thought about calling him today and asking whats up?). A smaller agencie in Riverside county is offering to "expidite my process to get me into an academy in april....they pay more, better benefits, closer to home, live in academy and no jail time after academy. Hate to say it but this department looks like they are going to cross the finish line first. I like the way they both do buisness but I am anxious to be a cop so here goes....hopefully I make the right decision. What department are you refering to and what schiesty things are you talking about...I am eager to learn all I can even if it is bad?

[mbmx13]

I have also been waiting for SBSD since November 2006. Have you taken your polygraph already? I took mine in November.

I will tell you this, I know from friends that work for the County that County does move slower than smaller departments. I hate to sound cliche' but I think there is some truth to the saying, "the best things come to those who wait."

I called my Background Investigator today and he told me that I have not been disqualified and that he will give me a call back before the end of the day on a time frame for my possible hire.

When you call your Background Investigator, let him know that you are interested in working for his department and will wait but wanted to let him know that another agency claims they could hire you and get you into the academy sooner.

What could it hurt? I am in pretty much the same boat as you except that I attended an academy already. I paid to put myself through the academy because I knew that my background issues would be a problem to most agencies.

[cantue5]

Yeah I took the poly in early January...very "Meet the Parents". I want to call the BI but I don't want to be the guy that calls and bugs all the time. He told me before I left that no news was good news and if I don't get a letter in the mail saying I failed something than everything was alright. Probably wouldn't hurt so I will see how things go with the cochella valley department tommorow and probably call right after I do my paper work with them. I love SBSD but like I mentioned earlier cash is an issue so I am torn between the two. Hope that doesn't sound shallow but I got mouths to fee including my own! I figured they would move slow but I didn't expect the city department to move so fast...they were the last ones I applied for!!

[mbmx13]

Only you can make that decision. Good luck on the job hunt!