Nypd

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thought i'd open one up since I dont see any :D
Anyway, did anyone hear anything about this new contract that NYPD are supposed to be getting since march?

[lightknight64]

In the New York forums there have been a few threads on this topic over the past couple of months. The short answer to your question is that there has not been any "real" news yet. Below is a link to two of the threads:

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86375
http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83595

- Godspeed

[Up_On_Base]

NYPD is an unique beast, like any agency it has positive and negative aspects.

IMO the problems w/ NYPD go FAR beyond the contract issues, but that is a MAJOR factor.

I love when people say "you don't get into LE to be rich". That is a true statement but you also don't get into a profession to barely afford to pay your bills, especially when you can perform the same job somewhere else for better pay/benefits. There are tons of departments (especially out west) were new officers can live a very comfortable life, send kids to good schools, own a home, good work schedule, take home car, etc...and have the support of the Brass when things go bad.

I used to live in NYC for 5 years and lived every second but anytime there was a critical incident the Brass and media would condemn the Officer before any facts were presented. Why would anyone want to work there??? Lets review.

- Bad pay and high cost of living
- No support from management
- Little public support
- Outdated equipment

But...Having NYPD on your resume looks great; it's highly respected around the world. If you can suck it up for 2-3 years you will write your own ticket for future jobs.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Damn, all the other local LE agencies dont test till 2011-2012. Its a tough choice but i'm wondering if working for the NYPD for a year or two would help anything in my goal to get into an 1811. Or if it is anybetter than going for a masters.
Thanks for the links lightknight.

[cwick2004]

If I were to take a job with the NYPD:

1. Could I afford to live if I had a roomate?
2. Could I have any type of life away from work?
3. Sounds like NYPD Officers are miserable. Is this true?

Thanks for the responses.

[Up_On_Base]

If I were to take a job with the NYPD:

1. Could I afford to live if I had a roomate?
2. Could I have any type of life away from work?
3. Sounds like NYPD Officers are miserable. Is this true?

Thanks for the responses.

NYC is expensive place to live and a roommate is essential, you might need 2-3 roommates for a decent place. Basically anything in Manhattan below 96th is goods, there are decent parts of the other boroughs but I preferred Manhattan. Not only is the rent expensive but so is everything else. For example a beer is $5.00, groceries are almost double, dinner and drinks for taking out the ladies $100+ easy, etc.

Don't worry about bringing a car, just to park for the month is $400+ in a garage, if you use the street you will spend most of your time moving from one side of the street to the other all the time and circling the block for a spot.

I would look elsewhere to be a cop; most major cities need bodies and pay well. Here are my suggestions, some have high cost of living but no more than NYPD and the pay is MUCH better:

CHP (most of CA is hiring good people)
SFPD
MPDC
LAPD/LASO
LVMPD
Seattle
Baltimore City (all the counties in MD)
MD State
Dallas
Houston

[kablaam]

NYPD is an unique beast, like any agency it has positive and negative aspects.

IMO the problems w/ NYPD go FAR beyond the contract issues, but that is a MAJOR factor.

I love when people say "you don't get into LE to be rich". That is a true statement but you also don't get into a profession to barely afford to pay your bills, especially when you can perform the same job somewhere else for better pay/benefits. There are tons of departments (especially out west) were new officers can live a very comfortable life, send kids to good schools, own a home, good work schedule, take home car, etc...and have the support of the Brass when things go bad.

I used to live in NYC for 5 years and lived every second but anytime there was a critical incident the Brass and media would condemn the Officer before any facts were presented. Why would anyone want to work there??? Lets review.

- Bad pay and high cost of living
- No support from management
- Little public support
- Outdated equipment

But...Having NYPD on your resume looks great; it's highly respected around the world. If you can suck it up for 2-3 years you will write your own ticket for future jobs.

Don't forget that NYPD refuses to release work records to any other agency you are applying to, so unless they have some other way of getting you in, polygraph etc., you're $hit out of luck.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Don't forget that NYPD refuses to release work records to any other agency you are applying to, so unless they have some other way of getting you in, polygraph etc., you're $hit out of luck.

AH DAMN! Is this true?!! Does this mean that if someone wants to work for the NYPD for around a year or two for the experience and want to get into a Federal Law Enforcement Agency (1811), the NYPD will hinder the efforts to do so?
Anyone know what kind of work records they wont release of what kind or work records Federal Law Enforcement Agencies are looking for? I heard something similar to this but ONLY for the Port Authority, not about ALL agencies. :-(

[gbotj]

only the port authority PD has a problem with NYPD records, Ive heard of guys leaving PD for Fed LE.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Does NYPD refuse to release work/personal records to federal agencies? Will this cause you not to get hired especially if you need a top secret security clearance? I'm confused because I keep getting a yes and a no. Some say it only APPLIES to Port Authority PD, and I know that is true. But also have people telling me that it applies to Federal because they have friends that got screwed by the NYPD and will not be hired by Federal Agencies due to the disclosing of important records. Anyone know which it is?

[CO1259]

New Rochelle PD is still open for filing for the 10 May exam. Hurry cause it ends this week.

Westchester County will be holding their next exam around December of this year.

I think Mt Vernon is due for an exam this year too, if I'm not mistaken.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thanks for the info CO i'll check it out. I live in queens and currently don't have a car so it wont be too easy getting up there. Also I heard that the attrition rate of the NYPD is pretty high so its pretty easy to raise through the ranks. What do you guys think? Many police departments are great but from what i've been told, it's pretty tough to raise in the ranks. A friend of mine works in the Poughkeepsie police department. Said they are one of the most prestigious departments in New York. Also said that the pay is great, but it takes forever to raise through the ranks. Said a friend of his is making more than $85k a year with 5 years on the job. But the people up in the ranks there said that NYPD as much as the pay may suck, looks great on your resume and you can raise in through the ranks pretty high. I'm strongly considering NYPD, mainly as a stepping stone to get into federal agencies but who knows, I may like it.

[IAmJeff]

people can tell you this, that, and the other thing about the nypd, but it's your choice. if you really wanna go for it, then go for it. I'm in the process as we speak.

[Chainsaw_chew]

To anyone that is in the NYPD did you have to take days off from your jobs at the time for the medical, oral/written psych and agility test? I called them up to ask but didnt want to be on the phone since the lady had a terrible attitude. They are always cranky at the nypd recruiting numbers. grrr

[Tachibana]

To anyone that is in the NYPD did you have to take days off from your jobs at the time for the medical, oral/written psych and agility test? I called them up to ask but didnt want to be on the phone since the lady had a terrible attitude. They are always cranky at the nypd recruiting numbers. grrr

Chainsaw

I have my medical, oral written, etc scheduled on a Sunday.

[oflove13]

To anyone that is in the NYPD did you have to take days off from your jobs at the time for the medical, oral/written psych and agility test? I called them up to ask but didnt want to be on the phone since the lady had a terrible attitude. They are always cranky at the nypd recruiting numbers. grrr

I feel your pain, i called to ask a few questions and couldnt even get past the first one. then i tried to tell them when they updated my address they had the wrong state, and wanted to update it and she said you need to come down here to do that i told her i was in Vegas and i pretty much got to bad every answer was you need to come here. For a agency that is hurting so bad for people you would think they would be alittle nice to the ones that are interested and not chase them off

[Chainsaw_chew]

I know I was thinking the same thing, a buncha nasty people there with a stick up their *****! Tachibana how did you get your stuff for a Sunday? The nasty witch said that they don't do anything on a weekend only a weekday. She was like "oh well, then you gotta try for January" I was like take the sand out your vagina ya mean witch!... ok I didn't say that but would have been nice to. I don't know how the heck to get to 59-17 junction blvd by train. I'm only around the darn A line. Last stop too.

[Tachibana]

I know I was thinking the same thing, a buncha nasty people there with a stick up their *****! Tachibana how did you get your stuff for a Sunday? The nasty witch said that they don't do anything on a weekend only a weekday. She was like "oh well, then you gotta try for January" I was like take the sand out your vagina ya mean witch!... ok I didn't say that but would have been nice to. I don't know how the heck to get to 59-17 junction blvd by train. I'm only around the darn A line. Last stop too.

Chainsaw

Just lucked out. City agencies are always a joy to deal with, what they dont know they throw an attitude.

BTW R,V to WoodHaven on Queens BLVD

[IAmJeff]

everyone says that everybody they talk to at APD is cranky, but the three people I've talked to have all been nice. and I thought everyone was nice at the initial medical as well. they may have been short with you, but it was just because they wanted to get done quickly. well, the one officer was kind of a dick, but that was just because he didnt put up with sh*t. he meant well though.

[Chainsaw_chew]

everyone says that everybody they talk to at APD is cranky, but the three people I've talked to have all been nice.

APD?

[Chainsaw_chew]

Does anyone think that the NYPD will get a new contract before the July class? I mean it's crazy! This new contract was supposed to be out already, and it's tough for people to go to the July class when they have to take such a huge paycut. Anyone have any information or input?

[IAmJeff]

applicant processing division...and I dont know, I heard the perb decision is coming out soon, but it's all just rumors. no one really knows.

[Chainsaw_chew]

I have the medical this Saturday, do you think taking a copy of my degree will be good enough? It says something about a transcript but don't know if it's official transcript or not. Thanks.



Ah nevermind, i'll just have to go back to my old college to get a copy. They refused to give me one before but called them up and they will.

[IAmJeff]

they tell you go bring a transcript, but no one was asked for it when I was there. but bring it just in case, of course.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Anyone here going for the JULY class?
In the process of completing my packet for the BI. Having scheduling problems with the written/oral psych, and JST. They are not offering them on weekend. :-(

[John2008]

Anyone here going for the JULY class?
In the process of completing my packet for the BI. Having scheduling problems with the written/oral psych, and JST. They are not offering them on weekend. :-(

I'm done with almost everything, only thing missing is the mini-medical. they only do the process mon-friday since they only work mon-fri I belive. I had to miss school or work in order to complete the process but hey it has to be done.

[John2008]

There are tons of departments (especially out west) were new officers can live a very comfortable life, send kids to good schools, own a home, good work schedule, take home car, etc...and have the support of the Brass when things go bad.
But...Having NYPD on your resume looks great; it's highly respected around the world. If you can suck it up for 2-3 years you will write your own ticket for future jobs.

I'm doing exactly that if I don't get picked up by another agency here in NY, I have spoken to a couple of recruiters out west and they said if I do the NYPD for 1-2years I can apply and lateral over and no need to redo the academy at least that what the recruiters in AZ told me, I have my eyes on LVMPD, PHXPD, and a couple more. but from what I've heard policing out west is completely different than out here in the east.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Yeah I've heard from a lot of people including a couple of 1811's that NYPD looks great on your resume. Helps when you want to transfer to another PD or head to state or federal. SO I HEARD, and SO i will do! Hopefully i'll be a future 1811.

[BigWill2876]

Current things;


Since this thread doesn't have a lot of activity and I see some faces from NYSP and other places.

1. Personnel records from NYPD are currently with held to the Port Authority.
There is a current law suit to overturn this policy in the courts. I have seen no Federal or other dept that has had the same problem with NYPD policy.
2. Current rules/procedures within the dept almost insure you will have considerable overtime IF you make criminal arrests.
3. The size and scope of the NYPD allows you many future assignments in varied areas of LE.
4. You want a LE job BAD ? NYPD will take you if you are a normal person, with normal records, and normal habits. There is no hiring freeze.
5. NYC has more after retirement on the job...jobs than any other city.
6. Getting married, your Fiance/Wife (prekids) has more high paying jobs available in NYC than anywhere else.
7. Mass transportation grid allows you to function without a car...very green.
8. The most culture diverse city in USA. Want to eat Thai, no problem. Sushi, a snap. Steak, too many to mention.

[John2008]

Current things;


Since this thread doesn't have a lot of activity and I see some faces from NYSP and other places.

1. Personnel records from NYPD are currently with held to the Port Authority.
There is a current law suit to overturn this policy in the courts. I have seen no Federal or other dept that has had the same problem with NYPD policy.
2. Current rules/procedures within the dept almost insure you will have considerable overtime IF you make criminal arrests.
3. The size and scope of the NYPD allows you many future assignments in varied areas of LE.
4. You want a LE job BAD ? NYPD will take you if you are a normal person, with normal records, and normal habits. There is no hiring freeze.
5. NYC has more after retirement on the job...jobs than any other city.
6. Getting married, your Fiance/Wife (prekids) has more high paying jobs available in NYC than anywhere else.
7. Mass transportation grid allows you to function without a car...very green.
8. The most culture diverse city in USA. Want to eat Thai, no problem. Sushi, a snap. Steak, too many to mention.

NYPD doesn't release personnel records to any other PD or employer, but PAPD is the only agency that has a problem with this.

[Chainsaw_chew]

NYPD doesn't release personnel records to any other PD or employer, but PAPD is the only agency that has a problem with this.

I heard they release copies to everyone. PAPD wants originals, thats where the problem is. I don't see how a federal agency will have a hard time getting records from NYPD. It's tough when you hear different things.

Thanks for the current updates Bigwill.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Anyone know how long the Mini Medical takes? Are you there all day like the first medical? Got my oral psych next week and still gotta schedule the JST. Its tough to do all of these things when you work.

[gbotj]

5. NYC has more after retirement on the job...jobs than any other city.
6. Getting married, your Fiance/Wife (prekids) has more high paying jobs available in NYC than anywhere else.
7. Mass transportation grid allows you to function without a car...very green.
8. The most culture diverse city in USA. Want to eat Thai, no problem. Sushi, a snap. Steak, too many to mention.


5. Good because after you retire you will NEED another job, my fortune tells
me security work.
6. They better get high paying jobs to make up for $59k in NYC or Long Island
7. Not bad, but nothing beats having a vehicle that you can control and do
not have to worry about stops or waiting for the train.
8. Yeah, go eat in a "diverse" joint in bed stuy. I'm sure you will find the food
quite tastey.

[BigWill2876]

Sounds like you may enjoy Fairbanks Alaska PD rather than NYPD (despite your NYPD car photo).
You get that nice "clean" air, just don't enhale or you may freeze a lung.
You get to take a car home, but don't forget to keep a shovel and survival gear in the trunk in case you get caught is a snow drift for a month.
You can retire into the woods and NOBODY will ever find you to cash your retirement checks.
Great food, is blubber better raw or fried ?

[gbotj]

bigwill, who are you speaking to?????

Maybe you should check out the lasik eye surgery thread. Thats NOT an NYPD car

[John2008]

I heard they release copies to everyone. PAPD wants originals, thats where the problem is. I don't see how a federal agency will have a hard time getting records from NYPD. It's tough when you hear different things.

Thanks for the current updates Bigwill.

I have a family member processing for NCPD, he works for the NYPD(3years) and the NYPD didn't release his records because they don't release the records to any other PD or employer. His BI just told him not to worry about it since he can't do anything about it.

http://www.nycpba.org/publications/mag-06-spring/aj.html

The NYPD policy, Murray added, caused the officers “true irreparable harm” not just because they were being denied the PA positions but because they “also are foreclosed from obtaining any police position in any law enforcement agency or bureau that requires a complete background check through examination of personnel files”

[Chainsaw_chew]

PPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY RAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.wnbc.com/news/16332400/detail.html?dl=mainclick

[STXHammer]

YAAAAYYYY for PAY RAISE. Well Deserved

[Swoop16]

The raise came just in time for all those going into the July class

[Chainsaw_chew]

Blah never mind.... I'm not excited about the raise anymore....
They took away 10 vacation days from everyone new on board now. So that just leaves the NYPD with 10 vacation days a year... that just really sucks... :-(

[Chainsaw_chew]

Yep!

1 month of extra work essentially = $3000 a month.

50 more shifts (5 a week) = 10 week is 2 and a half months.

2.5 months x $3000 = $7500 saved by city!!!

But they give you $10,000, so subtract that cost = $2,500 raise for rookies!

Then lets not forget that you have to use a vacation day to qualify at the range. So $3,000 a month, which you work 160 hours = $18.75 an hour. That vacation day at the range costs you about $150.

So that $10,000 raise is now really a $2,350 raise!

Whose smiling now????

[gbotj]

Its not a raise you are working for what you get!!!!!

[ctiger3]

Chainsaw: if youre serious about the NYPD and you cant reschedule then I would take off from work..this is going to be your career. Although, if you want to try and reschedule try calling 718-972-7376 x7344...they should be able to take care of your scheduling issues. Sorry it took so long to reply, good luck with everything.

[ctiger3]

John2008: good scores man! I'm pretty sure the academy starts on July 7th and the first couple days are all paperwork...guess i'll see you then!!

[John2008]

Chainsaw: if youre serious about the NYPD and you cant reschedule then I would take off from work..this is going to be your career. Although, if you want to try and reschedule try calling 718-972-7376 x7344...they should be able to take care of your scheduling issues. Sorry it took so long to reply, good luck with everything.

That's what I did, every time I need to do a step in the hiring process I would talk to my professor and tell them that I'm going to miss class and if I needed I would also call out from work. Since the NYPD is really going to be my first career job that's more important than my crappy job now.

[John2008]

John2008: good scores man! I'm pretty sure the academy starts on July 7th and the first couple days are all paperwork...guess i'll see you then!!

I was off by two days, the official start day is July 9th. I'll see you there. can't wait to get yelled at.

[Chainsaw_chew]

I was off by two days, the official start day is July 9th. I'll see you there. can't wait to get yelled at.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like that sentence!
Thanks for the info ctiger.
I completed everything just waiting till June 9th for my background investigator to come back from vacation so i can hand him some documents then I should be all set for the July class.
ONE thing that really bothers me though is just the fear of my shin splints acting up since we'll be running just about every day in there.
I'm stretching, warming up before runs, bought new shock absorbant insoles for my running shoes, got shin warmers, and still feeling the effects of my run the next day or the day later.
Thats the only thing that is scaring the crap outta me right now is just these damn shin splints.
Would be a nightmare when i leave my current job to go into the academy and have to quit midway cause the splints caused fractures on my shins. :(

[John2008]

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like that sentence!
Thanks for the info ctiger.
I completed everything just waiting till June 9th for my background investigator to come back from vacation so i can hand him some documents then I should be all set for the July class.
ONE thing that really bothers me though is just the fear of my shin splints acting up since we'll be running just about every day in there.
I'm stretching, warming up before runs, bought new shock absorbant insoles for my running shoes, got shin warmers, and still feeling the effects of my run the next day or the day later.
Thats the only thing that is scaring the crap outta me right now is just these damn shin splints.
Would be a nightmare when i leave my current job to go into the academy and have to quit midway cause the splints caused fractures on my shins. :(

I had shin splints for a month last year and I just kept running with them, after a while it went away. this is what I did and it worked.

To stretch your calves:

1. Lean against a wall with one leg forward and the knee bent.
2. Keep the rear leg straight, heel on the floor.
3. Keep your back straight and lean your hips forward until you feel a stretch in your calf. If you don't feel it too much, put your toe of the rear leg up on a tree limb, or a dumbbell, or any other small object, so that you bend the ankle more. Your heel always remains on the floor. That will increase the stretch.
4. To stretch the soleus muscle and Achilles (very important for shin splints), do the same calf stretch but bend the back knee slightly and you will feel the pull on your Achilles tendon.

When you stretch, make sure to hold the stretch until you feel looser and not just for 10-15 seconds. The point to stretching is to stretch the muscle, so hold it until you feel stretched.

Also make sure your shoes are sturdy and give you lots of support, particularly in the arch. If your shins hurt you should gently massage them and then ice them after you work out.

[Chainsaw_chew]

I had shin splints for a month last year and I just kept running with them, after a while it went away. this is what I did and it worked.

To stretch your calves:

1. Lean against a wall with one leg forward and the knee bent.
2. Keep the rear leg straight, heel on the floor.
3. Keep your back straight and lean your hips forward until you feel a stretch in your calf. If you don't feel it too much, put your toe of the rear leg up on a tree limb, or a dumbbell, or any other small object, so that you bend the ankle more. Your heel always remains on the floor. That will increase the stretch.
4. To stretch the soleus muscle and Achilles (very important for shin splints), do the same calf stretch but bend the back knee slightly and you will feel the pull on your Achilles tendon.

When you stretch, make sure to hold the stretch until you feel looser and not just for 10-15 seconds. The point to stretching is to stretch the muscle, so hold it until you feel stretched.

Also make sure your shoes are sturdy and give you lots of support, particularly in the arch. If your shins hurt you should gently massage them and then ice them after you work out.

Thanks for the info John, i tried all of this but its still around. I'm afraid that if i would keep running those shin splints would turn into fractures.
I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic doctor, hopefully he will give me something or help prevent the splints from occuring during academy.

[ctiger3]

alright boys youre in luck...I have my masters in sports medicine! the best thing for shin splints is actually Transverse Friction Massage...it does NOT feel good during the treatment, but it should FIX you for a good period of time. When youre all soaped up in the shower, run your thumb down the inside of your tibia until those bumps go away and it doesnt kill you to touch it anymore. you'll be sore for a couple days but you'll see a big difference. Also, Johns right...stretch your calves and ICE when youre done with your run. Make sure you have a shoe with a good arch support and heel counter. If you need anything else, let me know!

[gbotj]

I did some real bad running about a week before my physical (not NYPD) and developed a small case of shin splints, could barely walk up my stairs or walk very long.
Long story short, my legs were killing me the day of the physical....but mind over matter and I RAN LIKE THE FREAKIN' WIND!! finished the run in 4 minutes.......when it was over, I was in very bad pain, but didnt show it or let anyone know.

Shin splints won't kill you, so just say "f**k it, I'm running"

[BigWill2876]

Ignoring long term and persistent pain is silly.
No pain, no gain was coined by orthopedic surgeons that specialize in joint (hip, knee) replacements.
Long term shin pain can be several things, and should be checked by competent medical persons.
If you are cleared with just shin splints, then the first thing is to follow the advice of the professional, which most often is rest.

ONCE you are cleared to run again, first get fitted with proper running shoes fitted for your size, weight, running style and surface you are running on.
Find a store that hires experienced runners that check your running not you foot size first.
Then stretch, warmup (should have elevated pulse, breath, beginning sweat) prior to the run. Start again on a soft surface (grass for example) to you build up you distances and speed.

[Up_On_Base]

Ignoring long term and persistent pain is silly.
No pain, no gain was coined by orthopedic surgeons that specialize in joint (hip, knee) replacements.
Long term shin pain can be several things, and should be checked by competent medical persons.
If you are cleared with just shin splints, then the first thing is to follow the advice of the professional, which most often is rest.

ONCE you are cleared to run again, first get fitted with proper running shoes fitted for your size, weight, running style and surface you are running on.
Find a store that hires experienced runners that check your running not you foot size first.
Then stretch, warmup (should have elevated pulse, breath, beginning sweat) prior to the run. Start again on a soft surface (grass for example) to you build up you distances and speed.

+ 1

Check out Fleet Feet (or other good running store) for good running shoes, they can set you up w/ proper gear and help w/ training.

[Chainsaw_chew]

Thanks i'll get it all checked out. I guess if it acts up in the academy and I cant run for a few days i'm screwed and may be kicked out?
My fear is getting booted from the academy due to shin injury.
I'll look for those sneaker places, thanks again.

[John2008]

Thanks i'll get it all checked out. I guess if it acts up in the academy and I cant run for a few days i'm screwed and may be kicked out?
My fear is getting booted from the academy due to shin injury.
I'll look for those sneaker places, thanks again.

They got a store some where past Westchester county.

[Chainsaw_chew]

They got a store some where past Westchester county.

Fleet feet has stores in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester. All of those locations are too far from me:(. I'm in NYC. Anyone have any idea of another one of these specialized sneaker places besides Fleet Feet?

[BigWill2876]

I have never heard of shin splints being of an hereditary or recurring nature other than doing too much running too soon, improper sneakers (either wrong size, wrong design for running style, worn out), improper warmups, improper surface.

You haven't given enough information to be precise on this forum but ***/u/me the worst and start from scratch.
You are out of shape and have no history of running tech to draw on from the past. So you must start at the lowest rung of conditioning.
I suggest that you find either a gym or a personal trainer in your area that can start you in a conditioning program that includes walking and then running.
He/she will be worth valuabe monies to you, to bring you to physical shape and the added value of confidence in yourself that you can make it thru the physical demands of the Academy.
Remember it isn't just running that you must be ready for from day 1, you must be physically strong as well.
You have plenty of time to become physically ready for the next class, but you must start soon. You should budget around 2 hours a day EVERY day to get ready.
Good training.

[hxd]

Fleet feet has stores in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester. All of those locations are too far from me:(. I'm in NYC. Anyone have any idea of another one of these specialized sneaker places besides Fleet Feet?

Check out the web sites for some of the organizations that sponsor events in the area. New York Road Runners is one that comes to mind.

http://www.nyrr.org/about/membership/benefits/2007/runningstores.asp

Road Runner Sports is another decent company. They're mostly on the west coast, but they have three locations in New Jersey. The closest one to the tri-state area is probably Paramus.

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/content/home.jsp?contentId=700006&bannerImage=footer_store_locations

[Chainsaw_chew]

So anyone on board for the July class?