Arlington Police Department.

[JLH81]

Hello all,

Well, I've decided that I'm probably going to apply to Arlington PD and Dallas PD. Anyway, I was just wondering how the two academies compared to each other? I have watched APD's recruitment video, and it looks pretty neat. Also, I've noticed that DPD's academy is longer than APD's, why is that?

Lastly, how militaristic is APD's academy, and how physically demanding is it?

Also, I have a BA in CJ, and a 208 hour internship with a PD, so I am able to apply with APD, but I was just wondering which of the two PD's are better to work for given the choice?

Thanks!

[Rush817]

I believe Arlington uses the COG academy. From what I hear, it is one of the easiest academies around and a lot easier than Dallas PD's. I wouldn't say either is a "better" department per se, it's just what you want in a department.

APD has their own academy, they don't go to COG. Get with Zamkn, he just recently graduated from APD's academy and he will have more insight.

[Zamkn]

APD uses their own municipal academy. We do not use the COG academy, although the NCTCOG academy is in Arlington. Our academy also provides training to outside agencies. Everything from the Gracie Family's GRAPLE school to DRE certification.

I am unable to comment on why Dallas' academy is longer than ours.

Our academy is not modeled after basic training in the armed services. It is also not easy. Physical Training / Defensive Tactics (PT/DT) occurs between 2-3 times a week for a period of 2-4 hours each. It is often intense, but not unbearable. We have one of the (if not the) best Defensive Tactics instructors who knows his stuff and will ensure you know yours before you leave the academy.

The academics are also difficult, but you will succeed if you apply yourself and take advantage of the resources available to you.

The training is top notch. Everything from FX marking cartridges stress inoculation training to FIST suit fighting. We also partner with Six Flags Over Texas, allowing the academy to set up multiple scenarios across the park at Six Flags and let the recruits respond to calls, perform foot patrol, and look for BOLOs.

If you have any specific questions, check out www.arlingtonpd.org or send me a PM. I recommend working for Arlington if you are able to get hired. We have an expedited hiring process and most applicants are hired/rejected within 6 weeks.

Zamkn

[rx8racr]

APD uses their own municipal academy. We do not use the COG academy, although the NCTCOG academy is in Arlington. Our academy also provides training to outside agencies. Everything from the Gracie Family's GRAPLE school to DRE certification.

I am unable to comment on why Dallas' academy is longer than ours.

Our academy is not modeled after basic training in the armed services. It is also not easy. Physical Training / Defensive Tactics (PT/DT) occurs between 2-3 times a week for a period of 2-4 hours each. It is often intense, but not unbearable. We have one of the (if not the) best Defensive Tactics instructors who knows his stuff and will ensure you know yours before you leave the academy.

The academics are also difficult, but you will succeed if you apply yourself and take advantage of the resources available to you.

The training is top notch. Everything from FX marking cartridges stress inoculation training to FIST suit fighting. We also partner with Six Flags Over Texas, allowing the academy to set up multiple scenarios across the park at Six Flags and let the recruits respond to calls, perform foot patrol, and look for BOLOs.

If you have any specific questions, check out www.arlingtonpd.org or send me a PM. I recommend working for Arlington if you are able to get hired. We have an expedited hiring process and most applicants are hired/rejected within 6 weeks.

Zamkn

x2....dallas and arlington are like night and day. No offense to DPD officers but Dallas was my last resort. It comes with the big city problems and crime. arlington is big enough to get a taste but safe enough that you wont have to worry about getting shot everyday.

I went through the academy just before zamkn and can help also. Let me know if you need anything

[ThaLastLetter]

I can personally answer this question for you due to the fact that I have been through both academies within two years. I completed the Dallas Academy in Summer of '07 and I must say it is a lot more militaristic compared to Arlington's academy. I would say Arlington's academy is more like a college atmosphere. I just completed the Arlington academy in Sept '08.

At DPD every morning you have to stand in formation and do line inspections, and salute the flag. You have to sit in alphabetical order in the classrooms. In the PT/DT aspects you run a few miles just about every day. At APD we hardly ever did any long distance running. We got to move around in the classroom just about every other week. We never did formations or salute the flag.

These are two totally different academies. I would say Dallas's academic tests are a lot more challenging than Arlington's tests. If you want a more military styled academy then go to DPD, where they'll tell you what to do, when and where to do it. If you want to make more of your own choices and be treated more like an adult then go to APD. Everyone needs something different.

The reason for Dallas being a month and a half longer than Arlington is due to the fact that DPD covers a lot more tactical and hands on training. Although I must say with the final scenario training...Arlington's takes place at Six Flags and Dallas takes place at Fair Park....Arlington's is a lot better than Dallas. From what I remember Dallas uses the same scenarios over and over again for the past 5 years. Just remember Dallas and Arlington are very different cities.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[JLH81]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of your responses! I'm going to apply with APD first, since I have a B.A., and I'd rather work for a smaller department. Although DPD would be a good learning experience, from what I've read/heard, I would much prefer APD.

Lastly, how does the academy at APD flow? Did you guys find the 26 weeks to drag on forever?

Also, for the OC training, what do you have to do after you've been sprayed? I've been through the WI academy, and I went through the OC spray (I have it on DVD). After getting sprayed with Fox 5.3 million SHU OC, we had to fight the head DT instructor in a redman suit, and then shoot a simunition gun at a target hitting hte target. Would I have to go through the OC training again, or would I be able to bypass it?

Thanks much!

[Zamkn]

The APD academy flows fine. Our academy was actually 28 weeks because our class started with 45. All others have been 26.

You will have to go through OC again. You have to hit a few bags and do weapon retention while sprayed.

[r1967a]

So i was looking into Arlington and have decided to go ahead and apply. The recruiters say they have an academy set for October and January. My only question is, since its COG, am i required to pay for my own classes or since I am in their academy they pick up the cost, I would assume the latter of the two. Just wondering, thanks in advance.

[rx8racr]

Arlington doesnt use COG...read above.

[ThaLastLetter]

Yeah, if you did your research you would have known at Arlington we run our own academy. So you do not have to worry about spending any money. Instead you get paid to attend the academy and to learn the Arlington way.

[BaylorBearSW]

Arlington is in my top 3 departments and I applied and passed phase 1 on June 26th but have yet to hear anything as far as the next step I have called and they say it hasn't been assigned to a BI yet but it is still active and to just hang in there. I'm hanging in but it is starting to wear on me...

[r1967a]

Well that clears it up for me, i guess i read too quickly. I was originally (like above post states) under the impression that they DO NOT use COG. Thats why I was so confused, should read more in depth....i just got off of a 6 day leg of working at the local DC. Thanks for the info and help

[bluestar]

Arlington is in my top 3 departments and I applied and passed phase 1 on June 26th but have yet to hear anything as far as the next step I have called and they say it hasn't been assigned to a BI yet but it is still active and to just hang in there. I'm hanging in but it is starting to wear on me...

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BaylorBear-I didn't hear from them for 6 months after passing phase 1. It may take some time for them to get to you or it may be next week. Its just the nature of police apps.

[ThaLastLetter]

I heard APD is going to have another preliminary oral board in the next week or so, and the next academy class will most likely start in October.

[ThaLastLetter]

Hey BaylorBear, what were the other 2 depts. that were in your top 3? And how far along in the process are you with their hiring process?