Chicago Police 2018 / December Exam

[Coffee_tea]

after I did my initial pt last year in July, I did my BI back at the end of august 2020, they sent me in October for the lie detector test lol then a final power exam this July , psych and medical immediately after . 2 weeks after written psych, zoom video psych and medical . I got the notice to report today! 8 years later I’m in

[Brown2525]

Me too! See you Thursday at orientation and congrats!

[t4898m]

Did my FPT in July and psych and medical, passed everything just fine... never got the NTR.

[southpaw1]

No news is still good news. I remember it used to come in waves so maybe you hear something today or tomorrow. Hang in there. Good luck.

[Brown2525]

You hear anything yet?

[Juvgru]

So I got my NTR for the 16th, wanted to ask you veteran guys what to expect at the academy in terms of how the academics are, hours, PT, and parking and anymore extra things you’d like to throw in there? Thank you!

[508NAVY]

I was in a metro class a few years ago, but this is my two cents. If you were military, you’ll understand. It’s boot camp…ISH.

I personally found that place to lack discipline. It is what it is. Just don’t caught up in the high school drama that unfolds in the hallways. Be a race horse. Blinders on, straight ahead and grind through the BS before you get to the road. I did say keep the blinders on, but that doesn’t mean don’t pay attention in class. That reference was avoiding the BS. There’s too much of it.

Parking: there’s a garage down the street by the madhouse. It’s like 8 bucks a day before 0800. If you are on the early 0500-1330 schedule like I was, parking spots in front of the academy are open. Avoid parking in Whitney young school. They don’t like the police, and will have your vehicle towed…I watched it happen.

Academics: if you study, you’ll be fine. I’m a flash cards type of person. Others didn’t need to study, because that retain knowledge quickly. I don’t, I need repetition.

Just grind through the bull****, and meet us on the streets to learn how to be the police. stop wearing that blue line “if you don’t like cops ask a crackhead” graphic tee crap. Avoid putting yourself in the limelight. Stay off social media, DONT ENGAGE IN RELATIONSHIPS with classmates….and you know what I’m talking about.

[Juvgru]

Appreciate the advice! Also had a few more questions, when are we to get uniforms and all the gear, are we pretty much buying everything the first month? Also heard that they’ve stopped honoring the wish list and basically will send you to the nearest district you live at? Thank you!

[60630Chicago]

To be more specific, there is no "wish list". The only people that can pick a top three district of choice are class commander, (depending on the time assistant class commander), Top fit, Top shot and top academic. If you were to pick a slow district like lets say 020 or 016 they'll tell you to pound sand. Right now, everyone is being placed FAR south and on the west side. They don't care about your commute. So if you live in 016 the most northwest corner... you'll potentially be placed in 004 the furthest southeast corner. They at some point placed you within a reasonable distance from where you live but with the shortages if it happens, consider yourself super lucky.

[lzizum95]

While you are training, yes they put you all over the city and will try to consider where you live for the most part of you line in the north you will train in the north and south same concept and if you are like me and live in the middle you can go either way but once you drop that P you will end up where the low men on the totem pole are needed so pray you learn in a fast district cause that’s most likely where you will go

[southpaw1]

They'll work with you on getting a loan through the credit union (if you need it) that's what I did a while back. It's taken out of your check twice a month and when you pay it off it converts to a savings account which is nice. That'll help with the academy expenses. You don't need to get ALL of the gear at once. The uniform places will give you pointers on what you need and when. Academy is 6 to 6/12 months.

Parking STILL sucks. I went to in-service training there recently and it was bad. Back when I went it was full to capacity 800-900+ recruits and other training happening. That is not the case right now. They basically send you where they need you and in the beginning wherever they have FTOs available to train you. You're not even guaranteed to stay where you live around. Some of the last classes getting off status all got assigned to the the west side regardless of where they live. Right now the districts are all down people so wherever they need you they'll put you. With time eventually you can try to bid to other districts. Also metro schedule is different than CPD so they'll probably have the better parking spots than you unless you're that dedicated haha.

Make the best of it, stay out of trouble off-duty, learn as much as you can and be physically and mentally ready for these streets. It is no joke out here. I'm always happy to see the new people and have the extra help.

[Coffee_tea]

Ok thanks for some pointers. Can you give us an overview of what to expect week one. The emphasis of no heels and low shoes for ladies etc. I haven’t seen nor one person talk about their experience I. The academy as far as how the next couple weeks after being accepted will be . Thanks in advance .

[southpaw1]

You're welcome. Coffee_tea Gipson7 beat me to it. I'm a guy but yeah I believe the shoes have to be flat and business professional attire in the beginning.

[Gipson7]

Hello everyone sorry for the late reply but I’m currently a CPD recruit we actually take our state exam this Friday. The academy is 6 months for CPD and about 5 months for metros. First week ladies make sure you wear flats shoes only. Parking sucks right now because it’s about 5 classes plus a sgt and FTO class and tons of in service training going on right now. Far as starting time for the most part everyone usually start at 0700-1530 some days you will have early starts which is 0500-1330 maybe once a week or every other week. Like stated before if you stay away from the drama you will be fine. The academy is set up like military life so just keep that in mind and remember it’s a mental thing don’t take anything personal that they will do to you. Far as money between the starting uniform package and graduation package I will say you will spend between $5000-$9000 throughout the 6 months you are there so you can take out the loan they will offer during the first week. If anyone has any questions you can send me a personal message and I’ll try and get to you as soon as I can and once again congratulations and I’ll see you all in two weeks. Come find me if you have questions.

[Juvgru]

I hear a lot of this “drama”, can you give just a rundown of this? Is it like high school drama between cadets or something?

[southpaw1]

Yes. Anytime you put people in any setting together for a long period of time the drama is inevitable lol. People forget police officers are regular people at the end of the day. Just be professional and avoid the high school drama that will likely happen hahaha. There's going to be the late people that gets the whole class in trouble or someone who's not prepared for class or range, the person who didn't shave and that's sort of how that all starts. Just remember its a team effort to get through the academy and help each other out. Everyone is going to struggle in different areas so keep that in mind and have patience.

[AspiringChicagoCop]

Yeah..What do you mean by drama? My CPD friend told me the same thing;that we will butt heads with other people in the academy.

Also can you go more in depth with the whole military style life? I know that you get yelled at if you use your dominant hand to do things.

[southpaw1]

I commented a little above just now. The dominant hand thing will be explained. Everything done in the academy is done for a reason or purpose that you might not understand right away. Formations, flag ceremony, uniform inspection, gun inspection, etc like someone said boot camp-ish. I had a tough HRI (home room instructor) so we were running 3-4 times a week before the academy day even started and in 10 degrees even lol. If you mess up you'll be in front lean and rest. Get used to acknowledging/saying Sir or Ma'am to anyone you cross paths with other than recruits.

[J.Cage]

I agree with everything Gibson conveyed. Please, stay out the drama, workout, and eat well.

[southpaw1]

Also the academy was longer back when they were cranking out 100+ recruits a month because they did not have enough FTOs to place us. Also we didn't get lockers or a homeroom for 2+ months so don't take stuff for granted. We even ran out of sidewalk to stand on every morning for flag ceremony and the street was blocked off. Some of you will never know how much worse those 6 months could be hahaha.

[Gipson7]

Congratulations to everyone that received their NTR for the 16th of Aug class. Also for anyone that needs to save on money please inbox me my class will be leaving the 20th of Aug and we can sell y’all our gear, uniforms ,books, etc. cheaper then the uniform store 

[Juvgru]

How much do you think we’ll spend on the first month of the academy?

[Gipson7]

Close to a $1000, total between $5000-7000 you will spend while in the academy depending on how many sets of uniform you want.

[J.Cage]

Have a few items left over from when I finished the academy last week. P.M me if you’re interested

[508NAVY]

I’ll take your weekends off if you got any of those left

[J.Cage]

Surprisingly, I’m off the next couple of weekends.