After the Academy...

[flickster]

Just wondering...

After finishing the academy, how long is the break in period? And what do they look for during that period? Also, what's the % of people making it through the break in?

Thanks

[G-Man]

break in is 55 days, to make sure you can do the job and not get hurt, i wish i knew.

[23109]

break in is 55 days, to make sure you can do the job and not get hurt, i wish i knew.

Minimum of 55 days, it could be longer.

[flickster]

thanks for the info. I thought I heard that it was like 1 year but I guess I was wrong.

[Processing]

1 year is the probation period... but the break in period (during which you are with an FTO) does not last that whole time.

[jking]

what happens if they determine you can't do the job and not get hurt? does it happen often that someone cant pass the break-in period? are you fired if they think you can handle it or do you get a desk job for the rest of your career?

[Processing]

if you don't pass break in, start applying to be a security guard. your gone... no desk!

[jking]

wow, that sucks, after spending all that money on you for training for 6 months then a break in period and you are still having issues, i guess you don't deserve to wear the uniform. but does that happen often? does anyone know of anybody that didn't make it after their break in period?

[Mac]

...does anyone know of anybody that didn't make it after their break in period?

Yep. During your probationary period (first year on the job after academy graduation), you can be rejected at any time if it can be demonstrated that you don't meet standards and haven't shown improvement. It can and certainly does happen - some are bounced during break-in, others make it through break-in but don't make their full year of probation. No desk job for the rest of your career - you're "rejected" and terminated from employment.

The Department will give you every opportunity to improve and offer plenty of help and remediation - it's not like you just walk in one day and get told out of the clear blue sky that you're being rejected. If you're headed that way, you'll know it.....and you'll know exactly what you're doing wrong, exactly what is expected of you, and exactly what you need to do to keep your job. There are just some people who don't "pack the gear" to do this job, no matter how much you teach, remediate and instruct them.....and in those cases, rejection is the best thing for all involved.

[dw]

I would estimate that 10-15% don't make it off break-in, but that is just my SWAG.

[G-Man]

what happens if they determine you can't do the job and not get hurt? does it happen often that someone cant pass the break-in period? are you fired if they think you can handle it or do you get a desk job for the rest of your career?

I have heard of people being picked-up as dispatchers if they had difficulties during break-in training. I believe that they also keep their officer pay even though they change positions. If you are a good person, but you just cannot do the job, the state is good about finding alternate work for you as a state employee. We had a few people who failed out of the academy and the academy found them civilian jobs at the scales, and at headquarters while they tried to get back into other academy classes.

but you shouldn't have the mindset of "what if I don't make it" you should be thinking you are going to make it, if you go in thinking you are going to fail, you will.

[SB 405]

I would estimate that 10-15% don't make it off break-in, but that is just my SWAG.

Higher numbers than I would expect.