July/August ASP Class?

[wlgreg]

I recently took the ASP physical and written tests. I was told at the time a July/August '08 class (non-certified) was being considered but have since heard rumor that class may not happen until Jan ’09. Just looking to see if anyone else has heard otherwise or know something more about the possible July/August '08 class.:confused:

[rapunzel]

I'm taking my PT/WT on the 12th and, as far as I know, that class is for August. I haven't heard anything otherwise from anyone. I had heard the individuals who took the PT/WT in November were trying to be squeezed into the February class. The ASP has been trying to get 50 people through a school for a while and has failed to do so. So I think there will be two schools this year. My friend graduated in June and they had, if I remember right, something like 30 graduate.

[Mav621]

WL when did you take the written test?

[wlgreg]

I took both the written and the physical assessment on the 17th of November. I was initially told polygraphs were going to be scheduled for Jan but they will now be done in April.

[Mav621]

I was also there on the 17th. I took my polygraph on December 14. wl greg I sent you a PM.

[Mav621]

Small world. As it turns out we sat at the same table testing that day. Now were 1000 miles apart posting in this same thread. Good Luck everybody!

[Arcowboy410]

I took my PT and Written on the 5th of Nov and failed the written by less than a point and a half. I called recruiting and she said I could test again in Feb for the same class I was trying to get in, but she said it would most likely be moved to Jan 2009 rather than August 2008.

[rapunzel]

Well, I took my Physical and Written yesterday and they did announce that the August class had been pushed back. Sgt. Wanda James said the class will now be between November and January. Thus, I will not get my written results back for 2 - 3 months. Ugh.

Speaking of the written, I've known several people that have failed the ASP's written test, while I know others that have passed it the first time. To me, the test seemed straightforward. I'm finishing up my Bachelor's in CJ/Sociology this semester at U of A, so I expected something totally different from a typical test. The first part was an actual "read this policy and answer the question" section, the second being life experiences (like an employment application), and the third was an "agree or disagree" section. But to anyone that knows, what is generally the main reason individuals fail the test?

[Arcowboy410]

I failed the second section, which was past school and work history. You had to have a 50 to pass and I had a 48.59 or 48.95, I can't remember. I was very shocked! I just start my last semester for my B.S. Degree and I know my previous employers would rate me great. I'm extremely puzzled as to, first, why I failed, and second, why my score was even that low to begin with. I can test again in Feb, but I might apply to Conway PD and try to get a year or two of experience and then maybe get into a shorter, certified academy.

[Mav621]

Of the six people I know who tested recently all but two failed the written test. A friend of mine just took it for the second time and passed it. He said he didnt do anything much different the second time around but I guess he must have concentrated a little better this this last time. As far as the middle section about personal history I really dont understand how its graded.

[paladin5150]

I know they have had one Fast Track for officers in the past. Has anyone heard of a Fast Class this year?

[Mav621]

The fastrack school is for certified officers and begins in April.

[paladin5150]

Do you know how long it is? I wonder what exactly they are leaving off?

[safetyobc]

The "Fast Track" will be about 10 weeks. Not sure what they are leaving off.

[paladin5150]

i talked with Jo Ann last week, it seems all the Feb/ April classes are full. I might have to wait till next year.

I have my Pt test Feb 10th. Can anyone give me some feedback on what to expect? Anyone else going to be there then?

[Arcowboy410]

I know when I went to take the PT test there were about 20 of us. They'll take your info and process you. You'll go stretch for 5-8 mins, then get started. Vertical Jump, Push ups, Sit ups, 300m run...couple minute break and 1.5 mile run. You'll finished that and head to room and take the written exam. Three sections, two are timed, the last isn't.

[safetyobc]

They are giving you the PT test on a Sunday? That sounds odd?

We are reporting for school on the 10th. That is why I was curious.

[paladin5150]

Sorry its Feb 12th, not the 10th. I wish you guys good luck. Wish y'all had access to email but i doubt that will be the case.

[paladin5150]

Safetyobc,

Have you attended orientation yet? What was it like?

Are you in good physical shape, I hear that its rough...

[safetyobc]

No email or phone allowed.

Yes, orientation was Friday. It was nothing to it. They went over some rules, lots of paperwork. We were supposed to tour the barraks, but they wanted us to leave as early as possible due to weather so we didn't get the tour.

Physical Shape: I am in decent shape. No where near the shape I need to be in. Rough isn't the word to describe it. I think they call it "Hell week" the first week.

Tons of PT and screaming, etc. I am as ready as one can get I think. I have been told nothing you can do can prepare you 100%.

All I know is I won't quit.

[Mav621]

My background investigation is complete and Im just waiting......for an interview. Im trying to get in the Fast Track school but at this rate Im not sure I'll make it. This is an extremely slow process...lots of waiting...I sent my initial contact form in October. I took the tests in November, Polygraph in December, the background Inv. was in January. The waiting is tough but I still have hope.

[safetyobc]

Thats actually pretty quick from my experience with the ASP. I put my app in last Feb, tested in July, poly in Aug, interviews in Oct, med/psych in December. In the end, the process will have taken over a year.

Fast track starts in April, so you still have plenty of time. The waiting is incredibly rough though, I definitely feel for you there.

Same here. Been in it a year. The wait paid off though!

Good luck. Hope to see you in April!

[paladin5150]

Hmm, I guess they will just combine the classes at that time.

I have been running and doing these horrible sit ups, I wonder if they know there are guaranteed to cause injury. I'm surprised they haven't went to crunches or something. Even the cooper standard.

[rapunzel]

Hmm, I guess they will just combine the classes at that time.

I have been running and doing these horrible sit ups, I wonder if they know there are guaranteed to cause injury. I'm surprised they haven't went to crunches or something. Even the cooper strandard.

I agree. I'm not a fitness expert by any means, but I do keep in shape, especially my abs. The sit-ups the ASP has you do during the physical test are really, really bad. I would never regularly do them in the gym because 1.) there are far better ab exercises and 2.) they put way too much stress on my back. Oh well. Life sucks. :P

[paladin5150]

Agreed... Rapunzel, You trying for State?

[Mav621]

A good friend of mine ruined his back in troop school doing situps. He was afraid to tell them though. He has had two surgeries since then. He has had disc problems ever since.

[rapunzel]

Agreed... Rapunzel, You trying for State?

Yep. I took my physical and written on the 12th.

[ArkansasCop]

Does anyone actually know what the PT routine is like while at troop school? I image there's quite abit of pushups, situps, pullups, and running; but other than that I'm not sure what to expect.

[safetyobc]

I hear "Hindu Squats" are a big thing too. Jumping jacks, etc.

[ArkansasCop]

Thanks. They just finished my background for the fast-track school, and now I'm trying to change my PT workouts to match those at troop school.

[paladin5150]

Anyone hear from the Feb 10th class yet?

[rapunzel]

Nope. And we won't until they are let out for the weekend, haha.

[paladin5150]

I stopped by there at 6 yesterday and didn't see them out. Also did see enough civilian cars either, i thought I might have picked the wrong day.

[Mav621]

Today I learned that one recruit was a no-show and three others have dropped out since Monday. I think 23 recruits are left at this point. I think it must be pretty rough. I think with every school they lose several so this is probably normal.

[rapunzel]

Wow.. only 23? That's nuts.

[paladin5150]

Johnnya225, Did you decide not to go?

I broke three toes last week and couldnt not even do the first Physical test. I told Joann to give me a couple of weeks and I could tuff it out and schedule a test.

[paladin5150]

Very normal, by the 3rd week they have usually lost about 5-6. When your body goes through a slam like that its tough to recover while continuing the program. I wonder if they ever will realize that they don't have to be such a rough physical academy. There are ways to get stronger and physical fit without having such a drop rate. That's why they don't get more qualified people applying with degrees and more investigative smarts. But if you just want a road robot, then I guess they are doing well. I'm all about the physical fitness, just in a different manner.

[rapunzel]

Very normal, by the 3rd week they have usually lost about 5-6. When your body goes through a slam like that its tough to recover while continuing the program. I wonder if they ever will realize that they don't have to be such a rough physical academy. There are ways to get stronger and physical fit without having such a drop rate. That's why they don't get more qualified people applying with degrees and more investigative smarts. But if you just want a road robot, then I guess they are doing well. I'm all about the physical fitness, just in a different manner.

lol, amen. I think they need to take a more John Dewey approach to troop school

[Se7en]

Anyone putting in for the Fort Smith area?

[johnnya225]

Johnnya225, Did you decide not to go?

Yes, it was a hard decision, but I also had an offer from Rogers PD, and in the end it was a better fit for me. So now Im waiting for the end of the month to start!

[i_love_a_cop]

johnnya225, i think it was a good decision. ;)

[BM150280]

You think the drop-out rate might also have something to do with people having a little problem with authority, not able to adjust to the "drill" type setting?

[johnnya225]

You think the drop-out rate might also have something to do with people having a little problem with authority, not able to adjust to the "drill" type setting?

Perhaps a little, but I would imagine most anyone making it that far in the process has a healthy respect for authority.

[paladin5150]

Perhaps a little, but I would imagine most anyone making it that far in the process has a healthy respect for authority.

I agree, I think they have respect for authority. I think is the brutal treatment for the first half of the academy. A lot of my friends say they wouldn't take that treatment for that amount of pay. I guess each their own.

[rapunzel]

Well, I got my written results back today and apparently I failed the written test. The ASP just boggle my mind with that written. I have a B.A. from the University of Arkansas with a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology and cannot pass the ASP's written exam, yet an individual that failed my Dad's reserve officer class exam passed it. I understand it's essentially a personality test and a consistency test, but I'm the second person I know with a Bachelor's to fail it. As far as personality, I'm nice, respectful, law-adibing, and just an overall good guy. So I'm really wondering what exactly the ASP is looking for from that written exam. I'm not so cocky as to think I was getting on first time, but I did expect to at least pass the written exam. I'm not stupid, I'm not trying to deceieve anyone, so I'm just confused as to what the point of that test is.

Sorry, I needed to vent just a little.. My apologies, lol.

[Arcowboy410]

I know the feeling. I'll have a Bacholer of Science in May, and I failed the past school and work history. Absolutely blew my mind! I did fine on the personality part. I'll try again on the 29th.

[BM150280]

So did you get your test results back the same time as the letter saying you didn't pass the written test? I got a letter stating that i hadn't passed, but never got a score.

[rapunzel]

Mine was just the letter.

[BM150280]

Rapunzel,
when did you graduate from UALR? I'm getting my BA in criminal justice , and an AA in Law Enforcement there now.

[rapunzel]

I didn't go to UALR, I go to Fayetteville. And I walk in May.

[Arcowboy410]

You can call and ask for your result. That's the only way you'll know.

[ANDY235]

Hey Guys, new to the forum. I took my PT/WT on the 12th of Jan. Actually was afraid of failing the written test. Got the letter yesterday informing me that I had passed and the next step was the polygraph. I Guess time will tell what happens next.

Enjoying the forum!

[johnnya225]

Welcome! and Good luck!

[Arcowboy410]

ANDY235,

Why did you think you wouldn't have passed the written exam?

I'm over here in Jonesboro, and I go Friday to test.

[ANDY235]

It may have just been more of a fear of failing. Especially when I read about someone like Rapunzel with al these degrees and I'm just an old redneck with a high school diploma. But I got that part out of the way. I'm getting excited now. Ready to get on with it. I guess the waiting is the hard part. Every one I talk to says the whole process takes about a year.

[Arcowboy410]

Well I'm just a dumb ole cowboy fixing to have a college degree, and I don't know how I failed it the first time. I wonder if there's such thing as being too good?

[rapunzel]

lol, well.. after calling down and finding out my scores, it's pretty much clear to me how you pass it: lie. Don't harp on me just yet, hear me out.

I scored low in school and work history, as well as a low dependability score. The lady informed me that the school and work history must agree with the psychological part. Well, apparently I did just fine on the psych part of the test, but, despite having a lengthy work history and graduating with a B.A. double major, I couldn't pass the school and work section. Go figure. So knowing my scores and thinking about the questions on the test, it's pretty simple to me that the entire test is simply lying.

Now I'm not saying lie as in try and deceive. That would be dumb. But if the school/work section and psych section must agree, and there is a dependability score, it reverts to simply lying to pass the test. For example, I was totally honest on my test. When asked, for example, in the school/work section, how I rated my ability to get things done compared to others, I put above average. I'm not going to say I'm better than everyone else, because I'm not. There's always someone better. But because I was honest, I hurt my "dependability" and it did not agree with my psychological part. To me, the test for the ASP is no longer an actual test, but simply a game.

Funny enough, when talking about this with one of my friends who has been a Trooper for about a year now, he said the same thing. He told me that he just went and answered the stupid questions with the obvious answers, such as "Do you love your mother?," and, for the questions in which he was asked to rank himeslf, he said he put better than others on all of them. His rationale was pretty simple: make himself look good. So, my advice to anyone who is going to take the test, is the same. Just make yourself look good.

[i_love_a_cop]

the written test is more or less a personality test, correct? i've never taken it, but i know people who have (and have passed it). while it may seem like a game, it weeds out people who aren't right for the position at that moment. later on, the people who try again may excel...but for this particular portion, compared to everyone else, they just weren't the right fit.

i honestly don't think your educational background has anything to do with it. toting it around with you as a trophy, however, may hurt you. it's something that you mention in several of your posts. honestly...it doesn't matter how book smart you are as long as you have the common knowledge/personality that is the correct fit for whatever department at that time.

like i said, every step is there for a reason: to weed out the people that do not fit what the department needs at that time. the class that is there now started with a pool of 600+, and while attending the orientation, i think i remember there being 29 or so there. and i bet that of those, just hearing about some of their backgrounds, that 1/2 (or less) have college degrees.

with that said, congrats on graduating soon (12 more weeks?) and i hope that you apply again with ASP or a department that's a great fit for you!

[rapunzel]

Nope, I'm not that cocky.. yet. Haha. :)

I'm just more for LE focusing on hiring more college graduates, especially the ASP. Yes, the test does "weed out" people, but IMO, it doesn't weed out the "lack of common sense" people.

[paladin5150]

Nope, I'm not that cocky.. yet. Haha. :)

I'm just more for LE focusing on hiring more college graduates, especially the ASP. Yes, the test does "weed out" people, but IMO, it doesn't weed out the "lack of common sense" people.

I agree with you, I have seen some "no common sense" people walking around in uniform, at least for a almost a year.

When can you take it again? I have an injury, so I am postponed until further notice. I have however applied with Pulaski Co. I hear they are hiring one now and 10 a little later. They start about 30, take home car and for the non certified, the regular academy.

Just a thought.

[ANDY235]

Before someone proposes to hold a public hanging and make an example out of me, let me clear the air. By no means was I claiming that I was better than anyone else or that someone else was "too good". I was just simply a little confused when a fella with numerous degrees failed and I passed. I don't feel that I lied on any part of the test. I tried to be as honest as possible and only told the truth. I am nothing more than a simple old country boy from the sure enough back woods. About 15 miles NW of Paragould. I just told the truth and did not get in a hurry. I was too tired after the mile and a half to get in a hurry on the WT. Then I had to carry my buddy across the parking lot when he almost passed out after the 300. I'm just tickled about the whole deal and ready to get on with it.

[ANDY235]

.......and I also believe that all things happen in God's time. Maybe it's simply time.

[johnnya225]

Before someone proposes to hold a public hanging and make an example out of me, let me clear the air. By no means was I claiming that I was better than anyone else or that someone else was "too good". I was just simply a little confused when a fella with numerous degrees failed and I passed. I don't feel that I lied on any part of the test. I tried to be as honest as possible and only told the truth. I am nothing more than a simple old country boy from the sure enough back woods. About 15 miles NW of Paragould. I just told the truth and did not get in a hurry. I was too tired after the mile and a half to get in a hurry on the WT. Then I had to carry my buddy across the parking lot when he almost passed out after the 300. I'm just tickled about the whole deal and ready to get on with it.

I don't think anyone thought that at all. You worked hard (God knows that run is a load of fun!) and passed testing. And congrats on that! Its not an easy test, nor is it designed to be. Several degrees or cowboy, passing is an accomplishment.

I wish you (and everyone else!) the best of luck in continuing on the process. From what I have read, you would make a terrific Trooper.

[paladin5150]

Yes, Good luck with it Andy! You are correct, God has a reason and a time for everything.

God Bless

[paladin5150]

Any word on how the recruits are doing? I was hopeing to hear back from a few of them.

[safetyobc]

We are doing well. I can't say anything about the school, but it is moving right along. Good luck to you guys in the process.

[johnnya225]

Glad to hear all is well!

[paladin5150]

How many have left? I guess your under orders not to mention what goes on at the academy?

[wlgreg]

Update...According to the latest ASP Commission meeting minutes:

1. There are 21 recruits remaining in Class 2008-A.

2. The class that was originally considered for July/August is being considered for late 2008 or early 2009.

3. There was also a list of canidates approved/denied for the 2008-B class in case you want to take a look at it.

[paladin5150]

Thanks for the info.... 21 left, WOW

[paladin5150]

How many did they start with?

[wlgreg]

28 recruits approved to start training, minus one no-show and 6 resignations (one before training started) leaves 21.

[S.ArkNative]

Safety, Give us an update bud. You coming back down here to Troop F, I hear its still on the critical list. Im still waiting on the dispatch position in Warren to open back up.