Birmingham, AL

[stillamarine]

Hey all. I'll be moving up to the Birmingham area near the end of the year and have started looking around. I've already applied for UAB PD and they have started my background I believe. Can't find much in fo on Birmingham PD besides from the one or two posts on here I can find. Anybody with them can help me out?

No LE experience. Spent 4 years AD Marine Corps then a few years reserves. Been working in Private Security since I got out of AD in 2001. I'm 31 now.

Thanks.

Edit: Also curious as to who will sponsor through an academy.

[DubyaB]

[QUOTE=stillamarine;1181419]Hey all. I'll be moving up to the Birmingham area near the end of the year and have started looking around. I've already applied for UAB PD and they have started my background I believe. Can't find much in fo on Birmingham PD besides from the one or two posts on here I can find. Anybody with them can help me out?

No LE experience. Spent 4 years AD Marine Corps then a few years reserves. Been working in Private Security since I got out of AD in 2001. I'm 31 now.

Thanks.

Edit: Also curious as to who will sponsor through an academy.


UABPD is a much better starting point than Birmingham PD, but with the new chief and recently approved starting salary raise, there are hopes it will get better. Knowing the new Chief from his time at Hoover PD, I think B'ham has it's best shot in recent years to get back on track. Unless you want to spend 3-5 years working in the jail, don't apply with Jefferson County SO. Until they stop putting all new hires in the jail, they will continue to lose out on the best candidates.
As for the rest of Jefferson County, sign up for the Jefferson County Personnel Board Test (you can do it online) and take their test. I know they give it several times a year now and every dept in Jefferson County except for Hoover hires off of it. All of those dept.'s will sponsor you in an academy. Mtn Brook, Vestavia Hills, Trussville and Homewood are the best ones to check on the jeff Co list.
As for Shelby, ROS is right in that most dept's here want you to already be APOSTC certified, but Alabaster and Calera are 2 exceptions. Calera being the better one IMHO. I believe Shelby County will send you, but there is a line of already APOSTC certified officers in front of you.
If UAB has started your background, you are likely to get hired by them before testing for anyone else. If that happens, get through the academy and get some experience under your belt and then if you want to leave there, you can explore your options with APOSTC in your resume.
Feel free to PM me with any other questions.

[stillamarine]

Thanks for the responses guys! I'm gonna sign up for the June 13th test with Jefferson County. See how it goes from there.

[jdapplin]

x2 on being careful with applying at Birmingham. I haven't worked there myself, but have heard enough about them to know that it wouldn't be the best choice.

JeffCo is a better choice, but you have to work in the jail first, and you don't get to pay into state retirement like with most municipal depts, which is a big deal in Alabama.

Hoover currently has two spots open with only three folks on the register, but you have to have a Bachelor's degree before applying if you are not APOST certifited. You may also be able to get in with a certain amount of military. FWIW, their chief told me during my interview with him that they didn't care if you are APOST or not, they simply hire who they think will do the best job. There's alot of competition though; when I went through the process there were about 50 folks who passed the PT test, with four making it to the Chief/Command Staff interview and only one actually being hired.

Shelby County SO has only one spot open, with several folks on the register. They are both worth applying at if you qualify, however both places are a long shot if you are new. I have heard good things about basically all the Shelby County city depts, but don't have firsthand experience of the processes like the other's I mentioned.

If you are not APOST certified, you might want to also consider Tuscaloosa PD as well as the state troopers. Tuscaloosa isn't very far away from Bham (although I wouldn't recommend a a daily communte with the current gas prices), and the state is sending most folks back to their home counties, so there's a very good chance you would be in the B'ham area. They both have their own academies, are well trainied, have good salaries/benefits, and seem to prefer non-APOST folks.

I wish I could tell you some more about UABPD, but I don't have any first-hand experience with them.

[stillamarine]

Got the call today from UAB today. Taking the Agility May 22nd! Yay!

Well on that:

He said that it consisted of an obstacle course to be run in 90 seconds, push ups, sit ups and mile and half run. Can anyone elaborate on what the obstacle course is, times for the other events and the order things are done in?

Thanks!

[jdapplin]

Here is a link to a good explanation of the test. It is on Shelby County SO's website, but it is the same basic APOST physical agility test.


http://www.shelbyso.com/jpdf/1206742990.pdf

[stillamarine]

Thanks!

Is it just me or does it not seem that difficult?? I mean the only thing I'm even slightly worried about is the agility part only because I don't do any of that on a regular basis.

[jdapplin]

Is it just me or does it not seem that difficult??

You're right. I wouldn't recommend doing it without practice, however. Do spend some time preparing for the pushup/situp/running part, and make sure you can go a little beyond. Murphy's law applies here too, so you want to make sure you can still pass if you're not able to perform to your fullest for whatever reason.

As far as the agility goes, the only real issues I ever see people have are the car pushing (most people have an easier time on it pushing backwards instead of forward), fence climbing (90% including me do the chain-link one, but i've never tried the wooden to compare it), and the dummy drag. The worst thing about the drag is that it's at the end, when you're exhausted. All you can do is grab it, pull with all your might, and don't stop for anything until they say so. The worst thing you can do is either drop it and have to pick it back up, or start back after you've stopped halfway.

Good luck!!!

[DubyaB]

Trust me, if you are still in at least 10% of the shape you were in when you were a Marine, you could pass this with your eyes closed. Go to B'ham PD and see some of the officers that somehow "passed" the APOSTC agility course. It will boggle your mind!! If they can do it, you can do it!! lol Don't sweat it.

[pgpdnarc]

There are many good departments in the Jefferson County Personnel Board. However, there are a couple I would say away from. The main thing is just to get on the list. Many departments are having a hard time finding descent people to hire. If UAB don't work out send me a pm. We are hiring.

[stillamarine]

Well, we went ahead and made the move to Cullman with my girlfriend. Got to find a J.O.B. until I find out about any of these LE jobs. Still scheduled for the PAT with UAB on the 22nd! Can't wait. Also going to sign up for the Jefferson County test on June 13th.

Reckon I should look for some security jobs, that's where my experience mainly lies. Any suggestions?

[Helo_Leo]

Well, we went ahead and made the move to Cullman with my girlfriend. Got to find a J.O.B. until I find out about any of these LE jobs. Still scheduled for the PAT with UAB on the 22nd! Can't wait. Also going to sign up for the Jefferson County test on June 13th.

Reckon I should look for some security jobs, that's where my experience mainly lies. Any suggestions?

Stick with UAB, they work pretty fast since they have their own investigators and only rely on BPD for the polygraph. Chances are they will send you to Montgomery for the academy (more parris island style) but there is a chance you could go to the BPD academy if they have open slots. If you are interested in applying for any of the personnel board depts the website is pbjcal.org but be advised, that can take a while.

As far as UAB PD, don't listen to any of the negative you hear... I worked there prior to heading up north. The old chief is gone, don't know much about the new chief and honestly I could careless for the major. Here's the down and dirty about UAB PD:

1. It's a good gig, you are as busy as you want to be...there's always something going on on the southside (UAB has A LOT of property on the southside), If you can, try to get on the mids shift, I know the SGT. she's good to go, and very sqared away (not that day shift isnt, but all the brass is working during the day and your duties are slighty different on day shift)

2. If you don;t have your degree, UAB is good place to get it- you are alloted 6 or 9 hours a semester tuition (i think its more toward the 6 mark) use that to your advantage... You also have access to all the facilities at UAB, they just got a new fitness center there thats friggin awesome-take advantage.

3. If you have a chance to, take on an additional assignment, they have a bike unit, and a tactical unit (at least they did in 04 before I left)... there are also escort opportunities with the sports teams (although those are usually taken by senior officers), unless things have changed you'll get some decent O/T if you want it.

4. The new hospital... if you are assigned to the hospital- be ready to FIGHT UAB officers get their rumble on at the ER so be prepared. Also, BPD has a bad habit of dropping off homeless guys on campus... guess who will be the chosen one to remove them? Yup.. you got it! YOU... Occasionally you'll have to tighten down on a student but theres a very fine line with that, usually they are referred to the dean of students, but if you have to lock one up.. handle your business- as long as you are using good judgement you wont get much flack about it. One other note about students, BPD has to come through you all first before locking up a student, they can't just run up in a dorm and lock someone up, so UAB PD is the Authority for that campus and ALL of its property.

5. The job is as fun or as boring as you want to make it.. thats with any dept. I had fun, and if it paid a little more, and I actually liked Birmingham, I probably would have stayed... UAB guys get all kinds of discounts to the resteraunts on the south side, some nights you will be bored out of your mind, some nights you'll be pretty busy...

6. The PT test is easy, you have like 15 minutes to complete your 1/5 miles, what gets a lot of people is the physical abilities test (car push, obstacle course, etc.) Stay in touch with your Background investigator, not sure who you have but don't be afraid to keep in touch with them... once you are on board Sgt. Sims (training) you'll be sworn in and issued your badge and informed when/where you go to the academy... I wouldnt waste my time with the troopers or Hoover until you get your APOST & degree... it'll pay off in the long run, trust me- Semper Fi brother.

[stillamarine]

Helo,

Thanks for breaking it down barney-style for me!

Couple more questions.

What's the equipment like, is it all issued by the dept?

Do they some times have you working before you go to the academy? Main reason I ask this is my GF is in her final semester of nursing school until the end of the summer. If I have to go to Montgomery for 3 months for the academy during that we'll have to work on child care.

When do benefits start?

I went on UAB's website about benefits, but are there any differences for the PD?

Again I appreciate all your help!

Semper Fi.

[Helo_Leo]

Helo,

Thanks for breaking it down barney-style for me!

Couple more questions.

What's the equipment like, is it all issued by the dept?

Do they some times have you working before you go to the academy? Main reason I ask this is my GF is in her final semester of nursing school until the end of the summer. If I have to go to Montgomery for 3 months for the academy during that we'll have to work on child care.

When do benefits start?

I went on UAB's website about benefits, but are there any differences for the PD?

Again I appreciate all your help!

Semper Fi.

1.Unless its changed, they supply you with everything except your weapon and footwear. You're allowed to carry pretty much whatever you like (that doesnt mean go out and buy a desert eagle) but whatever you choose to carry you must qualify on the range with and they do supply the ammo for you.

they have a few toys, when i left they were getting 04/05 crown vics , shift commanders drive the low profile units, they had a couple of SUV's as well. While they dont have the usual spread of larger city departments, the equiptment they have is good-to-go, better than what some smaller depts. in the area have.


2. once you are hired, you'll attend orientation at which time they'll cover all your benefits etc... they have several insurance options available, unless its changed since 04 your benefits are available immediately. Being a LEO your retirement is slightly different than the standard retirement available to UAB employee's, based on state contributions. Aside from that everythign else is the same. After your orientation, you'll be running another PAB/PFT, they are very big on that once you are hired, you'll spend a few days with Sgt. Sims (if thats who's still in training) then you'll go right into shift work, working along side a sworn officer- pretty much his/her shadow.

unless its changed you'll show up for roll call etc. and depending on what that officer has going on that night or whats going on during roll call, they usually send you to the gym to train for the first/last part of your shift, and the remainder is spent with who ever you're working with. it doesnt take long to get you in an academy, you can expect to go within 2 months of being hired... UAB, like other departments that don't have their own academy use regional academies in the state... so you could end up going to Tuscaloosa (non-resident,the thinking mans academy), Montgomery or Selma ( resident,highly structured/P.I. Style) Birmingham PD academy (non-resident,which if you do go through, if you decide you wanted to work for B'ham at some point it would be pretty much just applying and going through the paper work, but only if you go through their academy...6 months long also) and theres one other academy they could use thats out east (Jacksonville area), down off I-20, but the majority go through the ones mentioned above.

3. With all being said, it's a good gig- don't pay attention to the rumor's or "I heard's"...Bottom line UAB is a good place to get your feet wet, do your time and if you want something different then thats your choice but make it work for you! I do believe they have instituted a minimum service time once you get APOST otherwise you/the dept you transfer to has to pay UAB for your training if you leave prior to serving that time. You'll learn alot working that campus, and you'll learn a lot from the UAB community... stay squared away and you'll be fine- Good Luck!

[stillamarine]

Took the girlfriend to work yesterday and took the opportunity to drive around the area. Stopped by UAB PD and spoke with a Cpl Duddy there. Got some insightful information there.

As of March they've switched to 12 hour shifts. Not too bad, I can handle that.

Also now they issue "everything but your socks and underwear." When the new Chief came along he didn't like everyone carrying different weapons and calibers. So now they are issuing Springfield XD's in .40

Big test Thursday and I can't wait to get it done and move further in the process.

[Helo_Leo]

Took the girlfriend to work yesterday and took the opportunity to drive around the area. Stopped by UAB PD and spoke with a Cpl Duddy there. Got some insightful information there.

As of March they've switched to 12 hour shifts. Not too bad, I can handle that.

Also now they issue "everything but your socks and underwear." When the new Chief came along he didn't like everyone carrying different weapons and calibers. So now they are issuing Springfield XD's in .40

Big test Thursday and I can't wait to get it done and move further in the process.

:eek:whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aat!:eek: Wow... thats great! 10/12's are so much better than 8's... Thats a good gig, I'd stick with it, I see much has changed in 4 years- As far as the test, relax... you'll do fine. You'll do the PAB over the Birmingham Academy, and the Physical agility at UAB's track. Your poly should be next after you pass the PAB/PAT, you'll go downtown to BPD headquarters on 1st Ave N. for that, takes a few hours depending on your past and how you respond to the exam- be honest, dont try to trick the test, they understand we all do dumb sh*t prior to deciding to come in to LE but there's tolerance for minor things, they arent looking for the "perfect" squeaky clean candidate, they are looking for the truthful one... When you get to the medical stage, thats all done in house on the campus, they have their own workplace medical that'll do your lab work etc. (that's usually a good sign when you get to the medical/psyc part of the process)...they're spending money on you!...When you are assigned at BI, keep in touch with him (almost stalking)- he's one of the deciding factors on how soon you are able to get on board- sooner he completes his case on you, the sooner you get the thumbs up (provided all esle comes back with the green light) to come on board.

If you made it to UABPD headquarters, you have an Idea of how massive UAB is... take all you have seen and multiply it by about 2 or 3, and that's what UAB has, and thats what you'll be ultimately responsible for... when I left they were talking about creating a precinct down at UAB West (Bessemer Hosptial), not sure if that went through or not.. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[stillamarine]

Well, an update. I didn't get selected with UAB. Sucked but I know of at least 1 person I think is much more qualified than me and he didn't get selected either.

Took the Jefferson Co Board test a couple weeks ago. Got my score last week 83.89 I'm told it's decent enough. So know I'm just waiting to see if any letters or calls come in.