Huntington Beach or Garden Grove???

[Ricky_G]

What are some pros & cons about the departments? I have applied for both but tests are scheduled on the same day!!!!

[bar room heroes]

They are both great places to work (I have friends at both)

Allot of people say "they" are the last two places you can do "real" Police work in orange County.

[hbliam]

Probably easier/quicker to get hired by GG but HB would be my choice. More money, more details, better enviroment/clientle.

[Ricky_G]

Yeah I'm up in the air right now.... From what I see they are both good departments with their ups and downs! keep bringing the info!!!!:D

[Garbage Man]

I work for GG and I would say all things being equal, HB...but there are some factors that might change that opinion. The biggest question is how many guys is HB hiring? They went thru a bad patch a few years ago but they seem to be going back to being a destination PD again. We are really really hiring, like right now hiring. We do BI's in a month then 3 weeks and you are on. If you dont have an academy we have a pre academy that makes the real academy a breeze. All our guys are at the top of their classes because while everyone else is on day one they are 3 weeks in.

One of our guys that just graduated told us that on his "Hell monday" he was just standig there watching everyone get jumped on. They tried him and couldnt get a single thing. They finally went up to him disgusted and said "GG have you done any push ups?" He says "No sir," so they unsnap his handcuff pouch and say "there, now do 25, your done, thats your hell monday"

This may all be true of HB, I really dont know. If it is, I say HB. But if they are only hiring a few guys and you are not a muslim trilingual female black lateral martial arts expert with a masters degree and a Basic POST then you might be waisting your time.

I also dont know that it is one or the other though. We do testing all the time. You should just call us and see when the next testing is. Do HB then getus next time, we will still probably hire you first.

[avalon42]

One of our guys that just graduated told us that on his "Hell monday" he was just standig there watching everyone get jumped on. They tried him and couldnt get a single thing. They finally went up to him disgusted and said "GG have you done any push ups?" He says "No sir," so they unsnap his handcuff pouch and say "there, now do 25, your done, thats your hell monday"


Really? I thought they handed those out like confetti...watched the recruit video. :D

I saw a really good news clip today about her: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/academy-granados-officer-2011380-first-very

If she can do it....

[hbliam]

I
This may all be true of HB, I really dont know. If it is, I say HB. But if they are only hiring a few guys and you are not a muslim trilingual female black lateral martial arts expert with a masters degree and a Basic POST then you might be waisting your time.



They are hiring. They process quickly. They are hiring entry level as well as laterals.

[Ricky_G]

So I guess I don't have to be the head cashier at Walmart to figure this one out!!!!

[IMachU]

Yeah....Cypress PD is your best bet by popular consensus

[bigwillie909]

Well I know which one I'd choose.

[ask80]

hopefully it's not GG. hehe

[Garbage Man]

Perhaps I should clarify why ID say HB all things being equal...its a much larger city, much better financed and you have the friggin beach and a helicopter...seems pretty simple.

Now Willie is a GG fan... and at his level we are an awsome agency because we treat new guys right...but again, for all I know, so does HB

[Blkside]

Well the real question is when do you guys test again. I have the same 2 as well as a few others but more importantly I have another family event that day so when do you (GG) test again?

[hbliam]

Sounds like Garbage Man should go to recuiting and see if they can change the date. I bet a majority of guys are going to choose to test at HB or GG but at the same time would be happy to work at GG if given the opportunity. If GG doesn't even get the chance to see them for the test then GG is missing out. I also bet that there are many more recruits making the same decision. Not just the two on this site.

[Ricky_G]

I'm going GG... I bet most would go to HB because of the beach & the chicks.... but I want a cop that enjoys going to HB without looking over my shoulder when I'm walking with my girl & my dog....

[Ricky_G]

On another note, does GG use POST written exams? What academy do they send recruits to?

[R1pilot]

"Yeah....Cypress PD is your best bet by popular consensus."


I hope you're kidding.

Cypress' process is 6 completely unproductive hours of my life that I'll never get back.


If I were you I'd take a serious look at Garden Grove.

But, that's just me. I'm a garbageman fan...

[IMachU]

Yes, it was a joke. If you actually KNEW about Cypress......which I won't say so don't bother PMing....just suffice it to say you made the right choice going GG or HB or Long Beach City College Police or MTA security or Bel Aire Patrol or.......

[R1pilot]

LOL.

Trust me, I learned everything I needed to know about Cypress in the first three phases of their hiring process.

[avalon42]

I'm a GG fan. I got stopped two times (non-speeding) and the officers were super courteous, professional and respectful. I had no idea how much went down around there until I spoke to a high-rank friend at Santa Ana...

[Blackavar]

Allot of people say "they" are the last two places you can do "real" Police work in orange County.

:rolleyes:

[DOAcop38]

Really? I thought they handed those out like confetti...watched the recruit video. :D

I saw a really good news clip today about her: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/academy-granados-officer-2011380-first-very

If she can do it....

you "sure" thats a "she"????:confused: not that women can't hack it and be #1( we had a tri athlon /iron man competitor with a Masters in my academy and our class VP was a former hardcore investment borker who ran marathons) but that just shows just how weak this generation of "XBOX" men are !! It was alot of our military recruits(most were/are NCO's and Officers) that pushed my academy class to be tougher.

[DOAcop38]

Yes, it was a joke. If you actually KNEW about Cypress......which I won't say so don't bother PMing....just suffice it to say you made the right choice going GG or HB or Long Beach City College Police or MTA security or Bel Aire Patrol or.......

okay "Stop"- you were heading toward " L.A.airport Police",eerrrr "sir-curity
" sooner or later :D:D:D:D(I remember having a guy from Cypress PD in a POST AOT class at fullerton city College- he said he saw some of my guys on a felony T/Stop while leaving LAx one time and THOUGHT we were "kicking butt";SCARY ,considering he works a "muni PD",HUH??!!!)-I almost CHOKED trying NOT to laugh)-Hey ,for a new guy trying to get in the job, go where they hire you,as long as you check and see that it isn't a pig pen of a dept and that the morale and pay doesn't suck( too badly); sometimes looking for that "b*tchin' dept" won't mean that its a good place to work......

[Garbage Man]

Wo! whats this about Cypress? Guys I have worked with them a lot, they are a very good department. Yes they are small and not exactly the danger zone, but they are a for real agency who does the job right. If you must bag try Brea or maybe Tustin but Cypress is a good agency.

as for the GG and G-man changing the testing date, somewhere I have mistated how much pull I have around here. I will bring it up but really, I cant chenge jack. As for when we test again, soon I imagine...more to follow..ill get details

[R1pilot]

I, For one, am not bagging; just commenting on my personal experiences with their hiring process.

I will give them this; They are one of the only agencies who tell it like it really is:

"If you can jump through all of our hoops, we will offer you a job."

[IMachU]

Wo! whats this about Cypress? Guys I have worked with them a lot, they are a very good department. Yes they are small and not exactly the danger zone, but they are a for real agency who does the job right. If you must bag try Brea or maybe Tustin but Cypress is a good agency.

as for the GG and G-man changing the testing date, somewhere I have mistated how much pull I have around here. I will bring it up but really, I cant chenge jack. As for when we test again, soon I imagine...more to follow..ill get details

SOME of us haven't had such good (professional) dealings with them....but if you say so Sir....

When we going to lunch??

[R1pilot]

I want to hear about Tustin PD...:D

[Garbage Man]

SOME of us haven't had such good (professional) dealings with them....but if you say so Sir....

When we going to lunch??


Dont know..now that I am a BI I am working 7 days a week. I'm not complaining its all gravy OT.

Ref our PAt I asked our guys about it we are going to do a PAT every two months.

I dont have nay specific bad thing to say about Tustin its just they dont have any real crime so you know...boring! They are the only agency in the county that puts out a teletype on every stolen car, so we laugh in briefing because every stolen that gets read is a tustin. Makes it look like they are the 10851 capital of the OC. In truth, I think we are

[Mikeyg76]

On another note, does GG use POST written exams? What academy do they send recruits to?

GG has sent some of their recruits to GWC academy, i don't know if they send everyone there.

[jamesxx]

Those of you who have recently applied with Garden Grove PD, did you just fill out the online application? (the one where you have to create a username and password).

Thanks.

[bigwillie909]

Those of you who have recently applied with Garden Grove PD, did you just fill out the online application? (the one where you have to create a username and password).

Thanks.

If I can offer a little advice, dont fill out the online app, its too impersonal. Go in and turn in a written application. It serves 2 purposes: #1, you have to turn in an H6 form anyway, and #2 you may be able to make an appointment with the recruiting Sergeant and meet him. He's a very nice and helpful guy, he's sort of been my mentor from the day I submitted my app until now. Now he is definately a huge influence on me and I have a ton of respect and admiration for him. It will be well worth it for you to sit down with him if he has time.

#3, Pick garbage mans brain, he helped me out a ton too. Nice thing about GG is most guys want you to work with them, unless you a pompus jerk, and will be more than willing to help you out.

[Garbage Man]

GG has sent some of their recruits to GWC academy, i don't know if they send everyone there.

We lean towards GWC but we will use OCSD if its sooner. Its really doesnt matter what academy we send you to. We do a 3 week prep academy that locks you in for the academy. On day one you will be way more squared away than anyone else and it wil be a downhil slide all the way. Our guys report finding the acadmy fun....ask Big Willie, he is in the GWC and kicking tail buit he would have done that in the OC too.

[bigwillie909]

We lean towards GWC but we will use OCSD if its sooner. Its really doesnt matter what academy we send you to. We do a 3 week prep academy that locks you in for the academy. On day one you will be way more squared away than anyone else and it wil be a downhil slide all the way. Our guys report finding the acadmy fun....ask Big Willie, he is in the GWC and kicking tail buit he would have done that in the OC too.

If youre hired, you will hit the academy preped to the max. The pre-academy is no joke. Its even held at a undisclosed location so they can really drill you! On day 1 of the actual academy, I had to do push ups just because I was basically the only one who hadn't done any.

GWC is a great academy, the tac staff is awesome. All veterans who know what they're doing. Our Senior RTO is probably the best we could have asked for. He's tough as nails, but extremely fair. He likes to have fun with us, I mean that in a good way, he likes to get involved with the class. He's one guy I wouldn't want to tick off though.

[Ricky_G]

The BIG day is coming this weekend!!!! I hope everybody brings their "A" game to the PT test, I know I will!!!!:)

[IE Copper]

I remember my tach staff at GWC telling all their "war stories". The same stories over and over again really. I'm sure they were great cops but they were all from Tustin, Irvine, Cypress, a so on. They didn't see much action, unless you count taking five 488 reports in one shift exciting.

I went back to GWC a few years back to look for non-sponsored recruits and they couldn't believe the stuff I told them. One kid actually told me Cypress PD was "hard core". I did my best to hold back my laughs and stay professional.

GWC was definitely a good academy though, and with the exception of a couple of my tach officers who claimed to have "seen it all" even though they had been in detectives for 10 years and had seen almost nothing, I am still fond of the guys/gals who shared their expertise with me.

[geek4life]

GWC=Golden West College?

Is that a college or a police academy?

[Socal-Cop]

Its both ... GWC has the Criminal Justice Training Center on campus

[Badkharma]

Sent in my app for GG today!!!! :D

[Ricky_G]

I got my appointment for my oral at Garden Grove, any advise??? I have been in two oral interviews and both have been different. If anybody can share their experience with Garden Grove, it would be appriciated!!!

[Garbage Man]

I cant give you too much advise since I work there (it being unethical and all) ..but I will say this and its true of every oral you take. the first two questions will always be "Why do you want to be a cop?" and "What have you done to prepare yourself for this postiion." So knowing that, come up with solid answers for both and you will ace the first two questions, its all down hill from there. Oh and dont EVER mention watching Cops on TV we really hate that. Just thionk about how your experience relates to what we do...remember everything relatetes to our job its very broad. Public contact. multi culteral contact working with deadlines, performing under stress? Sounds like a typical semester at high school doesnt it?

[Jrdeputy]

Garbage..when do you anticipate the next PAT?

[Badkharma]

I think the next PAT date is 5/31.

[Garbage Man]

5/31 is my understanding as well

[DOAcop38]

What are some pros & cons about the departments? I have applied for both but tests are scheduled on the same day!!!!

both seem like they've got their heads in the "game"- very little media coverage or issues of "police corruption/brutality/misbehavior"(like here in L.A.)- both have decent economies,and vibrant communities,both do have crime issues and their own local knuckleheads-but I've never heard of officers being handed their "butts" in either dept,nor lames and cry babies gumming up the job..Despite being a tadbit smaller, i have a feeling that GGPD is alittle busier than HBPD becuase of population density daily ,and that HBPD spikes in the summer months...

paywise - both are compareable :
Gardengrove PD- $5377 to $7,206/mo vs Huntington bch PD-$5616 to $7,320/mo

area to cover :

Garden grove PD- 19 sq miles vs. HuntingtonBch PD-32sq miles(population is 170K vs 195K)

Manpower :

GGPD- 170 officers Vs. Huntingtonbch PD-235

Both are 3%@50 PERs agencies

both Use in service training and basic training at OCSD academy and Golden west Academy

both have decent equip and pro active workers/staff-

I'd say throw your hat in the ring with both and see who calls first....

[tjramsey2005]

Anyone planning on goin to the Physical On 5/31??

[Jrdeputy]

sent in my app last month...just waiting for the letter to test

[MT2658]

That's an easy answer, GG for sure. The officers there are really nice guys compared to the HB guys with their burnt out attitudes. I've been on numerous ride a longs with HBPD and all their officers would do is post behind a closed business and beat the walls with their batons. They did not do anything proactive, just answered radio calls. Kind of boring if you ask me. If I had a better background I would apply to GG. Good luck

[Garbage Man]

That's an easy answer, GG for sure. The officers there are really nice guys compared to the HB guys with their burnt out attitudes. I've been on numerous ride a longs with HBPD and all their officers would do is post behind a closed business and beat the walls with their batons. They did not do anything proactive, just answered radio calls. Kind of boring if you ask me. If I had a better background I would apply to GG. Good luck

Sounds like you really went out with the wrong guy...I cant beleive they are all like that..I can tell you though we definitly make more arrests. We share the same courthouse and the DA's there tell us we are the cause of 70%of their cases, despite being the second largest agency in their jurisdiction and also having Westminster, Seal Beach, Los Al, Cypress and HB.

[hbliam]

Sounds like you really went out with the wrong guy...I cant beleive they are all like that..I can tell you though we definitly make more arrests. We share the same courthouse and the DA's there tell us we are the cause of 70%of their cases, despite being the second largest agency in their jurisdiction and also having Westminster, Seal Beach, Los Al, Cypress and HB.

There's more low lifes in garden grove so that's easy to believe. Not to mention the last couple times I called HB out for something they kissed it off. I don't call anymore.

[IMachU]

Except for one of my old trainees, most of HB is ex-LAPD. They know how to kiss off calls. :D

[R1pilot]

...And yet another reason to stay out of HB. Especially when I'm on my bike...

[want to be offi]

Too bad GG is kind of way up north of SD or else I would have had apply along time ago...:cool:

[IMachU]

It's only 2 hours from downtown SD....you can take the Amtrak, too! Come on up!

[MT2658]

Too bad GG is kind of way up north of SD or else I would have had apply along time ago...:cool:

its not that long of a drive. im from huntington beach and the drive to downtown san diego only takes an hr and 10 min. gg is about 10 minutes from here.

[Badkharma]

its not that long of a drive. im from huntington beach and the drive to downtown san diego only takes an hr and 10 min. gg is about 10 minutes from here.


What? - do you drive at 3 am going 85 mph? :D :D :eek: :cool: :D

[IMachU]

What? - do you drive at 3 am going 85 mph? :D :D :eek: :cool: :D

That's just on Beach Blvd on his way to the 405 freeway!! :D :D :D

[Badkharma]

HA!!!! Ain't that the truth.

[MT2658]

What? - do you drive at 3 am going 85 mph? :D :D :eek: :cool: :D

LOL PM sent

[Sarkis]

You guys are making me jealous, I am waiting until I graduate from school before I go into the field!!! GRRRR!!

[DOAcop38]

Dont know..now that I am a BI I am working 7 days a week. I'm not complaining its all gravy OT.

Ref our PAt I asked our guys about it we are going to do a PAT every two months.

I dont have nay specific bad thing to say about Tustin its just they dont have any real crime so you know...boring! They are the only agency in the county that puts out a teletype on every stolen car, so we laugh in briefing because every stolen that gets read is a tustin. Makes it look like they are the 10851 capital of the OC. In truth, I think we are

I had a former "partner",now a Sgt at the LA Port Police who SWORE up and down that "tustin PD" was soooo "kick azzz"-he'd whine about how his job sucked and how "tustin" was doing REAL cop work ! funny,but after buying a BIG house in a nice part of OC,and clearing at least $150K at the Ports of L.A.( and SURVIVING an ambush and several shootings ,bad pursuits) I "think" finally he has changed his mind.....:rolleyes:

[DOAcop38]

Except for one of my old trainees, most of HB is ex-LAPD. They know how to kiss off calls. :D

Don't "go there"- Sarge "reality" is going to give you the "why they are no longer LAPD" lecture-and he'll be right.........:D

[IMachU]

My ex-trainee fits in well, when he's not IOD. :D