CPD Academy Class Cancelled

[cmsd380]

Can someone help answer this question? I live in cleveland, one of the most crime ridden poor cities in the state. Cleveland Police is starting their third academy of the year and Columbus can't even afford a second academy for the 2008 calendar year. Not to mention, its budgeted for the 2008 budget. So the question is: How can Columbus not afford to hire more police and the city of Cleveland can? From what I hear 1/4 of the Columbus police force will be retired by 2011..

[CPD7297]

I doubt anyone on this forum can answer that question with 100% accuracy. But, maybe the priorites in Columbus do not include the safety forces. One fact that cannot be argued is Cleveland does have a history of police layoffs. That has never occurred in Columbus, police or fire. Are you a Cleveland officer or suburban?

[bill198483]

If Mayor Coleman had his priorities in the right place, hiring safety forces instead of wanting a new railcar for downtown, the city would be better served.

I work for a suburban dept that borders Columbus and we have assisted on numerous Columbus priority calls (i.e. robbery, theft in progress) because it would take CPD too long to get there. The Officers they have are very good but they are already stretched way too thin.

[cmsd380]

I doubt anyone on this forum can answer that question with 100% accuracy. But, maybe the priorites in Columbus do not include the safety forces. One fact that cannot be argued is Cleveland does have a history of police layoffs. That has never occurred in Columbus, police or fire. Are you a Cleveland officer or suburban?

I'm a police officer in Cleveland however I do not work for CPD. As you probably know theres RTA, Cleveland Clinic, CMHA, Case Western, Cleveland State and Cleveland school police.

[cmsd380]

My buddy ran into a Columbus police officer in Chicago and he said the reason the academy is on hold is because its a contract year. I guess they are trying to work out their contacts...Has anyone heard about this???

[Jsosenk1]

yeah my BI told me that from the begining. she said that this isnt the first time this has happened, and that when they get the political BS out of the way they will put on another academy, perhaps as soon as sometime in feb. the only difference between now and the past is gas prices... but i wouldnt write off columbus yet, because they WILL have to start an academy soon one way or another, theyre growing and many people are retiring because of the drop program. so for everyone out there who is in limbo like me, be optimistic, something im usually not.

[Jsosenk1]

This does not sound good

"A class of 27 recruits at the training academy will be assigned to patrol, and 53 probationary officers are awaiting permanent patrol assignments.

After that, the well could run dry. A recruit class scheduled for December is on hold because of the city's budget crunch. Jackson doesn't expect the 2009 budget from the City Council and Mayor Michael B. Coleman to include money for any recruit classes"


http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/31/onpatrol.ART_ART_08-31-08_B1_D2B663G.html?sid=101

[Jsosenk1]

Well I dont think it's the cost of the academy that is the problem, it's the cost of the salary after graduation they are worried about. I don't blame large cities for wanting to make sure their officers are trained the way they want them. Poorly trained police officers can be a huge liability for a city.

[mikol427]

Just got a letter in the mail today sayin that Columbus PD is accepting apps again beginning Sept 8th

[MaizenBlue]

For everyone out there who is waiting in hopes of working for CPD this is not a good sign. The Chief of Police does not think there will be any money for a class in 2009? Whats going on? 25% of the force is leaving in 2011 and there may not be any money for a '09 class. Hopefully this turn around soon! Anyone who as more information please share!!

[FiremanMike]

There are several large agencies around the countries that force you to go back to the academy. Columbus and Toledo aren't the exception to the rule.

[drewsy64]

Gee that is why they have an FTO program. You are being trained the way they want you to be trained. If you cannot get out of FTO then that means normally what? YOU'RE FIRED! You know the saying common sense is uncommon. Well with Toledo and Columbus it seems that is the truth

If you don't like the way we do things here then stay the hell away bro. As was stated above, Columbus likes it's officers trained their way. That's not saying any other agencies training isn't as good as ours, but they like things to be uniform.
While FTO's are an extension to your training, they're supposed to be helping you utilize what you learned in the academy while working on the streets. It's not their job to train someone from scratch.
As I stated already, if you don't like it, tough beans. Stay away and keep that great attitude out of Columbus.

[JKralC104]

Agreed with the above. If I'd have just went on my prior experience and academy I'd be lost in Columbus. They are making a good decision on requiring officers pass their academy.

[rocket97]

Don't worry I passed up on CPD along time ago. When the preliminary application states minority hiring unit. It sometimes makes me wonder.

And we thank you very much for passing us over, o great one.