HPD Class: March 29th, 2010!

[HoustonCrime]

Hello,
Just trying to see if anyone on here is currently trying to attend the March 29th, 2010 class for HPD.

I was supposed to get into the last class...just barely missed it...and missed out on the incentive bonus, but that's ok.


Finally got good news today that I passed my medical evaluation and psychological evaluation...next step just waiting on the chief to sign my folder and wait for the next class! SO EXCITED

Was hoping to meet some people on here that will be attending the same class on here. To celebrate going to purchase my pistol very soon to try and spread out the cost for the pay cut when I go to the academy to make it easier on me.

[HoustonCrime]

Also for anyone that knows, the police academy is 6 months long. Then after that I have 6 months with the field training officer? Can I start working side security jobs after I graduate from the academy or do I have to wait until I pass the 6 months with the field training officer?

Also thinking about going and buying my gun very early this upcoming week so I can go to the firearm range and practice practice. Thinking about going with the SIG for both on duty and off duty. What's the difference between the 226 and 229 just the size? what do you recommend? Found the SIG .40 226 at academy for 819.00 is that a good deal?

Also from what I have read in other post I will get called in to go to orientation for the academy 9 days before and then get called in again 3 days before the academy begins? I have also read you dont find out about the academy if you are in before 2-3 days before it begins. If you pass the medical and psychological, how soon does the chief sign your folder for approval after that? Once the chief signs your folder for approval are you pretty much in? I just want to give my job a month notice when the time gets closer that I am leaving..but dont want to put in my notice and then last minute not get the job..? If I am good on everything and passed everything and just waiting on the chief to sign why would they reject an application last minute like that? Just curious so I know what to expect.

[Native Texan]

One year after your date of hire is when you may start working extra-jobs. You'll find that probably 80% of HPD officers are carrying Glock 22's with good reason. You can buy your gun at any time. A few had their guns before the academy. You might, however, be able to get a better deal if you go through one of the vedors in through the academy.

If you can, try to avoid C&G Wholesale when buying equipment. The people that work there are exceedingly rude. Definitely not worth it.

[Native Texan]

One year after your date of hire is when you may start working extra-jobs. You'll find that probably 80% of HPD officers are carrying Glock 22's with good reason. You can buy your gun at any time. A few had their guns before the academy. You might, however, be able to get a better deal if you go through one of the vedors in through the academy.

If you can, try to avoid C&G Wholesale when buying equipment. The people that work there are exceedingly rude. Definitely not worth it.

[ZoomByU]

Wow that is alot of questions, i'll try to answer them all.

1. The FTO program is a possible 6 phases. Phases 1,2, and 3 are working the different shifts each 3 weeks long and gaining more responsibility each phase. Phase 4 is 2 weeks of evaluation where you are basically on your own but an evaluator rides with you. You go to phase 5 and 6 if you need more training. After you are done with the program you float with officers until you are off probation.
2. Extra jobs like native said is when you are off probation.
3. Im pretty sure the difference b/w the sigs is the size but I'm not sure I carry an XD
4. I recommend waiting to buy a gun and praticing so you don't get bad habits if you haven't shot before.
5. Usually the first orientation is on a saturday with the next one being a couple days later on monday or tuesday.
6. When you hear if the chief signed off on your packet depends on each case, I heard 5 days before others had known for a month prior. When the chief signs off you are in.

hopes this helps

[JBL]

Once you are off the training program you can work an extra job but it has to be with another officer that is off probation (1 year). You can't work an extra job by yourself until after probation.

[delta31]

I think im in, passed psych and file submitted just waiting for the signature. i assume that your pretty much set if you passed everything, cant think of why i wouldnt be accepted unless i gain to much weight over the holidays....better keep running!

[HoustonCrime]

Heard from the recruiter and waiting on the Chief to sign off on the folder now...would be nice if he signed now for the March class so I was 100% sure I was in. Been working out every single day staying in shape for the academy.

I have alot of family members in federal law enforcement and all of them swear by the sig sauer......anyone know why 80% would carry the glock instead? Now confused on which one to get.

I have shot many different guns and rifles for deer hunting, was hoping to get both guns early so I can go to the range at least every 2 weeks and keep up on my shooting, want to do well on the testing when that comes up.


Also last question...sorry for all the questions

I heard something about the "Hope" credit to help police officers buying their first home? I am going to just live in a cheap apartment while in the academy for the pay cut coming up while joining the academy, but was curious if anyone knew anything about it...I searched on google and looks like you have to be below a certain income level to qualify?

Thanks for all the help on the questions so far, much appreciated.

[GeekswithGuns]

Heard from the recruiter and waiting on the Chief to sign off on the folder now...would be nice if he signed now for the March class so I was 100% sure I was in. Been working out every single day staying in shape for the academy.

I have alot of family members in federal law enforcement and all of them swear by the sig sauer......anyone know why 80% would carry the glock instead? Now confused on which one to get.

I have shot many different guns and rifles for deer hunting, was hoping to get both guns early so I can go to the range at least every 2 weeks and keep up on my shooting, want to do well on the testing when that comes up.


Also last question...sorry for all the questions

I heard something about the "Hope" credit to help police officers buying their first home? I am going to just live in a cheap apartment while in the academy for the pay cut coming up while joining the academy, but was curious if anyone knew anything about it...I searched on google and looks like you have to be below a certain income level to qualify?

Thanks for all the help on the questions so far, much appreciated.

Congrats on making it this far HC. My experience with C&G has not been bad... they don't have the most friendly staff in the world, but it is one stop shopping for everything you need and I've used them. I think most people carry the Glock 22 because of its reliability versus cost... Those Officers I know who do carry Sigs swear by them also.... really just comes down to what you prefer. I have a Smith & Wesson M&P and have not had any problems with it but may end up switching down the line.

Can appreciate you wanting to shoot.. but they generally prohibit you from doing any outside shooting/training while in the academy (until after you complete your training at the range).

Yes, most of those housing development programs will have an income requirement. There is also a program run by US Housing and Urban Development called The Good Neighbor Next Door program... can buy a home in a revitalization area where the gov't covers 50% of your mortgage... usually the revitalization areas are not pretty. I did some research on those programs down here too and came to the conclusion that I was probably just better off buying a house in a nice community (it's very affordable here to begin with).

[BDC]

The BI called last week and said I passed the medical and psychological test. He said the Chief will wait for a large stack of folders before he starts to approve, and I should know in December if my folder is approved. He said I was around 15 to 20 in the stack so he thought I would make the March class!

I am going to buy a Glock 22 and Remington 870 shotgun since I don't have the money for a Benelli M1. Do we need a 2nd handgun in the academy? If so, is a Glock 27 on the approved list?

[ZoomByU]

I would hold off on buying any weapons at least until you know you are approved.

[Native Texan]

I am not a proponent of HPD's opinion that you shouldn't practice with a weapon before or during the academy. Practice makes perfect. Get to a range and shoot every day before the academy with a duty weapon. Buy your gun now. You'll thank me when the class rank list comes out and you've been advanced due to good shooting scores. That 20% firearms score makes a difference in competitive class standings.

This is just my opinion and it worked for me. People have mixed opinions about "forming bad habits," but I'd rather have the practice under my belt.

[nep2000]

Hpd 210

You only need one (1) gun for the academy, and one gun is all you need to do whatever you are going to do. I guess what I am saying is that any of the approved on duty weapons will work as off duty also. As far as back up, well that is up to you. I carry one, you can get one if you feel that it is what you need to do. I also have to agree with Native Texan, go shoot. Unless you are just completely clueless with a pistol you can only improve.
I also carry the glock, based on it's history of reliability and fit for my hand. You have to be confident in your equipment to the extent that you stake your life on it. I won't knock the other pistols the department allows because I would gladly carry at least two others if I had too, but again, go with what works for you.

[Caspian Hawk]

Hey Houston Crime, I have just finished Phase 1 and waiting for a call for a poly. I pray that I make the March class. My recruiting officer saids that there is a good chance and she saids that everything should go smoothly. I hope to see you in March.

I second the idea of getting a sidearm first and being familiar with it. I am an avid shooter and can tell you that it is like any other sport. You lose it if you don't use it. Learn how to clean it, be familiar with the way it handles and feels. Dry fire it as many times as you like see how the gun deviates upon trigger pull (have the front sight aimed at a fixed object with the gun unloaded and see how much it moves after the trigger pull). Shoot the heck out of it, I am not a shooting instructor but have been shooting and reloading for the last 5 years and have introduce the hobbie to everyone I know. You can never stop learning and practice, practice, practice. All my friends have trouble when they start shooting, few times later they are so happy hitting inside the 10 ring at a longer distance. Since the crazy rainy weeks I have notice that my groupings have increase by 3x because I was out of practice for weeks. I usually shoot once a week and it helps to know the basics and how to re-adjust.

I am excited and anxious about this career change. Pm me if you decide on buying a sidearm and we will go poke some holes into paper. I used to shoot in a pistol league that officers freguent just to keep their skills up. Hopefully I will see you in March.

I know that there are lots of thing to learn and do in the academy. I am glad that I am very comfortable with my side arm so I can focus on other things.

[Maverick1701]

One year after your date of hire is when you may start working extra-jobs. You'll find that probably 80% of HPD officers are carrying Glock 22's with good reason. You can buy your gun at any time. A few had their guns before the academy. You might, however, be able to get a better deal if you go through one of the vedors in through the academy.

If you can, try to avoid C&G Wholesale when buying equipment. The people that work there are exceedingly rude. Definitely not worth it.

if you bring a letter from your instructor on letterhead from your academy to galls you can get the LEO pricing on pistols and save some serious $$$$$