IMPD Academy - What to expect?

[Ra1nMak3R]

Where is it Held? I know they have their own training place out at Post Rd, but I also know of the academy out in Plainfield. Does IMPD do there own academy training in Indy or is it off to Plainfield for training?

Also I'm trying to gear my workouts and mentality to some of the things I will be encountering in the academy. Can I pretty much put the "boot camp" mentality to it?

Is it the tilted hat to forehead screaming/spitting in my face because I blinked without permission? Or is it just the "rough and tough" Instructors that aren't the "in your face screaming" type, but if you mess up, dont listen whatever your grass and they're the lawnmower.

Just want to be mentally prepared for what I will be encountering if/when I get to the academy. Don't want to expect a "hi how's it going everyone come in and have a seat and we'll go over some information" vs. screaming Academy Instructors to call us to attention, march us to a dungeon they call our living quarters and continue to beat us mercilessly with exercise and derrogatory comments.

And any stories on good/bad experiences on the academy would be helpful of gaining a mental image of what to expect.

As always thanks to everyone who answers the questions of us up and coming hopefuls.

[mono2000]

IMPD is not a live-in academy like ILEA in Plainfield... its 8-5, Mon-Fri (though they may be doing 4 10 hour days now)... IMPD's academy is at 10th & Post and runs about 6 months

from what I have heard it is very demanding physically in the beginning (much more so than ILEA)

[Sheepdog2009]

Look forward to several hours a day and several 8 hour days of straight Defensive tactics, Im not talking about your run of the mill karate class, I mean really beating each other into a pulp. No really, your not gonna be able to move for a while. Puke, spit, sweat, blood and tears. Your off time will consist of studying with ice packs for weeks on end with some academics mixed in there. All worth it in the end.

[Ra1nMak3R]

I take martial art classes 5x a week so it sounds like the academy is right up my alley.

Now the comment regarding "not a live in academy". Does that mean there are no dorms to stay at during the week? last I heard it was Mon-Thurs, but i was under the impression is that you are there all day/night during that time and go home on the weekends.

I live 2.5 hours away from there so if it's something I have to commute to everyday then I definitely want to look in to an apartment in that area sooner than later.

[MetroOff519]

The next academy is also probably going to be 4 10 hr days. Even though the days are longer, the 3 day weekend is nice.

There are no barracks/beds/sleeping arrangements at the IMPD Academy, so if you get the offer, definitely need to get a place to stay.

So far, this class has not had any 8 hour DT days, but have had 4-5 hour stints at it. It is much more physically demanding than ILEA, due to the fact of the contact stuff. The only thing IMPD recruits go to ILEA for is EVO.

If you don't know your way around Indy, might start learning now too.

Also, for PT, they have gone to CrossFit workouts, rather than traditional running 5 miles, etc. It is not easy though, but you will get in pretty good shape.

[IMPDNE]

I live 2.5 hours away from there so if it's something I have to commute to everyday then I definitely want to look in to an apartment in that area sooner than later.

You will have to make it sooner. In order to work for IMPD you have to live in Marion or one of the surrounding counties.

[IMPDNE]

http://forums.officer.com/forums/images/editor/menupop.gif

Where is it Held? I know they have their own training place out at Post Rd, but I also know of the academy out in Plainfield. Does IMPD do there own academy training in Indy or is it off to Plainfield for training?

You will go to ILEA for EVOC training. If the class is large, you may go there for firearms as well.


Also I'm trying to gear my workouts and mentality to some of the things I will be encountering in the academy. Can I pretty much put the "boot camp" mentality to it?

Make sure you can pass the PT entrance standards. You'll have to ask some of the newer officers about daily PT stuff, it has changed a lot since I went through in '02.

Is it the tilted hat to forehead screaming/spitting in my face because I blinked without permission? Or is it just the "rough and tough" Instructors that aren't the "in your face screaming" type, but if you mess up, dont listen whatever your grass and they're the lawnmower.

There will be yelling, but screaming/spitting in your face isn't really how its done. If you mess up you will get an @$$-chewing and possibly have to do some punishment PT. Once again newer officers will be able to give you more insight.


Just want to be mentally prepared for what I will be encountering if/when I get to the academy. Don't want to expect a "hi how's it going everyone come in and have a seat and we'll go over some information" vs. screaming Academy Instructors to call us to attention, march us to a dungeon they call our living quarters and continue to beat us mercilessly with exercise and derrogatory comments.

They will treat you fairly nicely on day 1 when you show up until right after you are sworn in. After that, its all business. There will be yelling and possibly some PT but there isn't physical abuse (them touching you) and there aren't any living quarters to be marched to.

And any stories on good/bad experiences on the academy would be helpful of gaining a mental image of what to expect.

I had a good time in the academy. Even though I was prior LE I learned a lot. The two things I liked most were firearms training and EVOC. The firearms staff is top notch and I will put the academy and yearly inservice training (both pistol/shotgun and rifle) up against ANY other department in the country as far as being realistic and challenging. EVOC is just plain old fun because you get to go out and drive like the Dukes of H***ard.

As always thanks to everyone who answers the questions of us up and coming hopefuls.

[mono2000]

Ra1nMak3R, if you get the offer you will def. need to move to indy... a 2.5 hour commute will kill you if the academy is 10 hr. days... IMPD is def. not live-in... no dorms or housing units... good luck!

[Ra1nMak3R]

Well my Uncle lives in Fishers, IN and about a 15 min drive from the academy so i know I can bunk with him if I can't get an apartment by that time....but I doubt i can't get an apartment.

thanks for clearing up this mis-conception everyone! Someone had told me you stay AT the academy 4-5 days per week and you exercise/class study all day. Drew the image of boot-camp. Up at 5am for PT, do some classes, more PT, do more classes, PT, eat, PT.

I can pass the PT entrance standards. My 1.5 mile time is horrendous, but it passes. Just hate long distance running. I'm not built for it and I just don't enjoy running around a track. Through a park or something is different.

Looks like I'll have to get a hold of my Uncle and start looking for an apartment.

Does anyone have any good recommendations on an apartment complex that is worth staying in? I don't want to move in to a "bad apartment complex". But I also don't want my whole check going to rent. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks everyone, again!

[pc2761]

Well my Uncle lives in Fishers, IN and about a 15 min drive from the academy so i know I can bunk with him if I can't get an apartment by that time....but I doubt i can't get an apartment.

thanks for clearing up this mis-conception everyone! Someone had told me you stay AT the academy 4-5 days per week and you exercise/class study all day. Drew the image of boot-camp. Up at 5am for PT, do some classes, more PT, do more classes, PT, eat, PT.

I can pass the PT entrance standards. My 1.5 mile time is horrendous, but it passes. Just hate long distance running. I'm not built for it and I just don't enjoy running around a track. Through a park or something is different.

Looks like I'll have to get a hold of my Uncle and start looking for an apartment.

Does anyone have any good recommendations on an apartment complex that is worth staying in? I don't want to move in to a "bad apartment complex". But I also don't want my whole check going to rent. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks everyone, again!

15 minute drive from fishers to 10th and post? is that with an escort on a sunday morning?

[Ra1nMak3R]

lol from your post maybe I'm under-estimating the drive time. The one time I drove from my Uncle's house to Post Rd was EARLY morning so the roads were empty. So maybe on a "typical traffic" day it'd take longer. Either way my best option at this point is to find an apartment. Or find another person that is in the same boat I'm in and split rent for an apartment. Either way I have a couple options!

[CruiserClass]

15 minute drive from fishers to 10th and post? is that with an escort on a sunday morning?

Probably a 'copter.

Anyway,

The academy was maybe 30% boot camp, 70% community college. I didn't think it was as physically challenging or as stressful as Basic was. Maybe its because I'm a touch older and understand the game but I was kind of nostalgic when the yelling and the group punishment laps, etc were going on. I mean, how bad can it be when you go home at the end of the day? They aren't coming to your house to roll trash cans down your hallway at 0230 or make sure you're standing "fire guard" over a cinder block building, now are they?

The tone is really set by the instructor, different instructors are more laid back then others.

[Ra1nMak3R]

I mean, how bad can it be when you go home at the end of the day? They aren't coming to your house to roll trash cans down your hallway at 0230 or make sure you're standing "fire guard" over a cinder block building, now are they?

Ah the good ol' days of boot camp. I was head "security guy" for my dorm. It was my job to train everyone else on how to answer the door and conduct all the emergency plans when we had our drills. I remember that stupid box coming on in the middle of the night. that click sound would wake any of us up out of a dead sleep. Sir. Trainee Tyler reports as ordered, All trainees are accounted for sir. Current temperature 82 Degrees, Sir."

I'm really looking forward to the Academy. I hope the rest of my tests go well and I'll be chosen to go.

And thanks for the PM's with some different apartments to check out. Most helpful.

[Dwntwn317]

Does anyone have any good recommendations on an apartment complex that is worth staying in? I don't want to move in to a "bad apartment complex". But I also don't want my whole check going to rent. Any suggestions would be great!

If you don't want your whole check going to rent, forget about downtown, Broad Ripple, and areas very close to Marian College (near NW side of town) and Univ. of Indy (near S/SE side of town). There are some decent complexes near Univ. of Indy a few miles farther from the campus. I know a lot of students live in those areas, so decide if you want to live near a bunch of college kids.

The east side of Indy isn't all that great in my opinion. There are a few options though. If you get something south of Washington St. (aka: US40), the complexes are less likely to be Section 8. I would guess that a lot of complexes north of US 40 have at least partial Section 8. Those complexes are also in the news a lot with shootings, etc.. Also know that looks can be deceiving. There is a brand new complex on the far east side, not even two miles from the academy. This complex is just east of Washington Sq. Mall, just north of the Krogers. It is a Section 8 complex and I know of two instances where thugs and criminals were at or running to that complex.

On the east side, there was a complex that is kinda in a more secluded area. It is an older complex, so I am not sure if you would like it. Rent seems to be cheaper there because I don't believe they have a pool and such. The complex is actually a common apartment building layout that I have seen around the city, not sure if the same company runs them all or not. It is called Stonehenge and is located on S. Franklin Rd. just south of Washington St.. I remember when I thought about moving there, they had actually reserved two parking spots for people who had lived there for 10-12 years, so I don't think it is a bad complex. Price is said to be around $560 for a one bedroom. Since the complex is small, they may not have Section 8, or if they do, it might be poor old person (medical debt) Section 8. There was a complex just to the SW of this place called English Village Apartments. They are newer and kinda secluded, but again, they have the HUD logo on the main sign to the property.

I think you will have a hard time finding a decent, non-Section 8 property on the east side. If you are willing to drive a few more miles to work, go east on US 40 about three miles into Hancock County. There is a complex right off US 40 (Washington St.) called Washington Village apartments. I don't think they are doing Section 8. Two of my friends have lived there, it is nice.

http://www.washingtonvillageapts.com/

If you go north, in the 82nd/86th street area, the prices go up, but your less likely to run into Section 8 complexes.

[straycat62]

BTW Ra1nMak3R, most of your questions could be answered by reading the website.
http://www.indy.gov/eGov/IMPD/Employ.../training.aspx

Good luck in the process.