Training for dispatchers at the academy

[kaos455]

I am in the last stages of the hiring process as a PSDII. I could be sent to the academy as soon as Oct 20th. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for me? I want to know what i can expect when i get to the academy in Sacramento. How much downtime is there? How much freedom will i have when im not in class? Do they like it if you stay on the weekends? Ive heard that about the cadets. What will my costs be, housing, food, learning materials, ect.? Will i be housed with cadets? Like i said, im going into this blind and would like to know what to expect. Anyone with answers, advise, or suggestions id greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

[cal911gal]

I am in the last stages of the hiring process as a PSDII. I could be sent to the academy as soon as Oct 20th. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for me? I want to know what i can expect when i get to the academy in Sacramento. How much downtime is there? How much freedom will i have when im not in class? Do they like it if you stay on the weekends? Ive heard that about the cadets. What will my costs be, housing, food, learning materials, ect.? Will i be housed with cadets? Like i said, im going into this blind and would like to know what to expect. Anyone with answers, advise, or suggestions id greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Wow, lots of questions! This is good :smile:

First off, congratulations on getting through the tedious hiring process. I hope you do make it into this next class! Now, to answer your questions:

Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for me?

If you haven't already gotten one, ask your hiring supervisor for the CHP Radio code card. You will be expected to know this 100% for your final exam at Phase I. It's not a lot to know, but you need to know it stone cold. Start learning it now :smile:


How much downtime is there?

You'll be in class from 8-5 daily. You'll break for lunch around 11:45 and be back in class at 13:00. There will be some studying necessary in the evenings, but it's not overwhelming, by any means. But please do study, reviewing the day's lessons will make you smarter and stronger going into the next day!

How much freedom will i have when im not in class?

All the freedom you want. If you wish to leave to go out to dinner, shopping or a movie, you may do so without having to report to anyone. You'll be expected to progress in your class, so how much liberty you give yourself may reflect on your progress. But that's up to you.

You may not party while on Academy grounds, nor may you have non-attending guests on the grounds. You'll be given a multi-page list of Academy rules prior to reporting up there, and everything will be laid out in those rules.

Do they like it if you stay on the weekends?

I don't think they care one way or the other. Personally, if you aren't from the area, go exploring! Head up to Tahoe/Reno, go over to SFO...if you like to gamble without hitting Reno, there are some Indian casinos nearby. I wouldn't weekend at the Academy unless I absolutely HAD to...just my opinion tho :smile: Cadet weekend liberty depends on a lot of factors, none of which will apply to dispatcher trainees.

What will my costs be, housing, food, learning materials, ect.?
Housing: Nil. They will house you at the Academy or a nearby motel. Even if it's a motel, the State will pay for it.

Food: Nil unless you choose to eat out. You can get all your meals at the Academy, except maybe if you are there on a holiday. If you are forced to eat out (because the Academy isn't an option for some reason) you'll be reimbursed a certain amount once you get back to Area (save your receipts.) This would ONLY apply if you can't eat at the Academy.

All learning materials are provided. There is a ton of stuff you can buy in the PX (shirts, jackets, mugs, binders, etc.) but thats up to you....Everything you need for class is provided to you.



Will i be housed with cadets?

Maybe. Yes and no. If you stay at the Academy, you'll be in the housing unit, where there may be cadets somewhere else in that area...(strong possibility). If you are housed offsite, then no. Either way, you will not be in a room with a cadet, nor (I suspect) would you even be in a quad with cadets (a quad is a set of 4 bedrooms with a shared bathroom facility.) Cadet timetables don't jive with anyone else's - they would be disturbed by civillian commotion, and vice versa...so while you will be in the general vicinity, I don't envision you being in the same set of close quarters as cadets.

To be quite honest, unless something drastic were to happen in the next few weeks, I'd say there is a strong chance you'll be housed offsite.



Like i said, im going into this blind and would like to know what to expect. Anyone with answers, advise, or suggestions id greatly appreciate it.

1. Don't sweat the small stuff.

2. Have fun.

3. Learn those codes!

4. Feel free to contact me here if I can answer anything else for you.

Good luck!!

[cal911gal]

Just out of curiousity, which office are you going thru the process in?

[kaos455]

I am in the process for a postition at the Fresno Office. Thanks for the informative and quick reply on all those questions. On your responce to the housing question, even if i am housed at the academy, i will have a room to myself? And you said there was a strong possibility i will be housed offsite, meaning in a motel? Also, how many trainees are there to a trainer? Also, what is the dress code like? Is tasteful casual clothing ok? Again, thank you very much for your help, it means alot. I want to get the most out of the training session at the academy and learn as much as possible about CHP, i was told by a spouse of a CHP dispatcher that you "eat, breath, and sleep CHP" at the academy. Thanks again.

[cal911gal]

I am in the process for a postition at the Fresno Office. Thanks for the informative and quick reply on all those questions. On your responce to the housing question, even if i am housed at the academy, i will have a room to myself? And you said there was a strong possibility i will be housed offsite, meaning in a motel? Also, how many trainees are there to a trainer? Also, what is the dress code like? Is tasteful casual clothing ok? Again, thank you very much for your help, it means alot. I want to get the most out of the training session at the academy and learn as much as possible about CHP, i was told by a spouse of a CHP dispatcher that you "eat, breath, and sleep CHP" at the academy. Thanks again.

Yeah, they will try to infuse you with Blue and Gold while you're there :smile: At the Academy, no you probably won't end up with a room to yourself. You'll likely have one roommate, maybe two. (there are three beds to a room now.)

Offsite = motel. Usually the Harbor Inn.

Not sure on ratio of trainees to trainer. There are normally 10 trainees per class. There are normally 4-5 trainers there. You train in "pods" of three trainees to one dispatcher during your practical exercises. You'll also be assigned a mentor who will help you if you get stuck in one area. SHould you need it, one on one mentoring can be done.

Dress code will be covered in the Academy rules they will give you in Fresno. In general, business attire works. No crop pants, shorts, or short skirts. You aren't supposed to wear blue jeans either, but that's a sore point with me ( I spent a month there expected to wear dress slacks or dresses, in a class full of male sergeants in blue jeans. Go figure.) Tasteful casual should be fine :smile:

You'll be immersed in the history of the patrol while you're there. You'll get to see the very sobering fountain ceremony on Wednesdays at lunch. They'll probably take you out on the skid pan, and show you different aspects of cadet training (if you're lucky ).

I think you'll have a good time. Once you find out where you are being housed, take this advice. If you are staying at the Academy, go get yourself a nice, thick twin size mattress pad. They have them at Ikea just down the road. You'll want one!

By the way, you're very lucky to be going into Fresno. There are a great bunch of people working there!

[kaos455]

Id love to check out the rest of the academy, ive been interested in all aspects of Law Enforcement for as long as i can remember. And i love those camaros. Anyway, thanks again for your help, take care.

[Chipper]

Hey Kaos, how long did it take from the time you took the written test until you were hired?

thanks!

[kaos455]

Well, im not actually hired yet, but ive completed all the steps and im just waiting to get a final word, maybe a week or two. I applied, passed the written exam, interviewed, cleared the background, and passed a physical. I actually applied quite a while ago, from what i understand a PSDII, after passing the written exam, stays on a list. The life of the exam is 2 years, so you just wait for job inquiries from the office you applied for. With the big hiring push right now the supervisor/manager is trying to speed the process up as much as possible.

[kaos455]

Do CHP dispatchers get privacy plates on their personal vehicles?

[cal911gal]

Do CHP dispatchers get privacy plates on their personal vehicles?

Not sure what you mean by privacy plates? I think I know where you're coming from on this....just not exactly sure.


Also, for those interested, the CHP is now going to accept PSD applications year round. Testing will be twice a year. So if you missed the last deadline to apply, send it in anyways...it will be held for the next test, which should be early next year!

[ORI# 1976]

Do CHP dispatchers get privacy plates on their personal vehicles?

I think you are talking about the confidential license plate / driver license record.

At my department everyone get this privilege. All sworn and civilian personnel including dispatchers, records clerks, community service officers, and parking enforcement.

[kaos455]

Yes, thats what im talking about ORI#, thank you. Cal911Gal, do dispatchers at CHP central valley area get confidential plates? Also, do you know if dispatcher trainees get to use the gym at the academy at all during down time?

[RoadDawg]

...do dispatchers at CHP central valley area get confidential plates? Also, do you know if dispatcher trainees get to use the gym at the academy at all during down time?

Off all the aspects of the job, confidential plates is an odd thing to worry about. Why would it matter if dispatcher's get confidential plates? :confused::

Anyone attending training at the Academy can use the gym, after hours (6pm). I would not worry about attending the Academy, you will not have to do PT or anything, it's more like a college atmosphere for everyone except cadets. Also, they will allow you to wear jeans, so long as they are not distasteful. However, they dont like men to wear T-shirts, or women to wear "Caprees" (sp) style of pants. Its a nice place to go for training, and can be real relaxing. I would prep for the job, and not worry about your stay in W. Sac.

[cal911gal]

...do dispatchers at CHP central valley area get confidential plates? Also, do you know if dispatcher trainees get to use the gym at the academy at all during down time?

Off all the aspects of the job, confidential plates is an odd thing to worry about. Why would it matter if dispatcher's get confidential plates? :confused::

Anyone attending training at the Academy can use the gym, after hours (6pm). I would not worry about attending the Academy, you will not have to do PT or anything, it's more like a college atmosphere for everyone except cadets. Also, they will allow you to wear jeans, so long as they are not distasteful. However, they dont like men to wear T-shirts, or women to wear "Caprees" (sp) style of pants. Its a nice place to go for training, and can be real relaxing. I would prep for the job, and not worry about your stay in W. Sac.

As to the plates thing, I think all law enforcement agencies, and most employee positions within them, are eligible for this. It's something that I personally have not bothered to explore. Lord knows if someone wants my address bad enough, they'll find it on the internet.

You may be able to use the gym at the academy, you'll have to find out what hours it's open when you're there, and if they will allow non-cadet students to use it. With so many cadets there, you may be hard pressed to find time. Ask your instructors when you get there.

See what I told you about jeans? There's definitely a mixed message coming out of the Academy on their "rules", but thanks for the info RoadDawg. Kaos my best advice would be follow whatever instructions you are given as far as clothing goes - that way you definitely have no worries.

[bluiis911]

The dispatcher I just hired tested in November 2005, so it was quite a long wait for her. With the new positions we have been approved, hiring is supposed to be done by December which will be nice for those that test on my Oct 14th date. My new hire begins the Academy on Oct 23rd and, it appears, she will be housed at the Academy. She was scheduled for October 2nd but the class was moved to Clark Training Center. Our center is in Northern California and we didn't feel it was fair to send her to Southern California since she has small children at home and would like to travel home on the weekends. For those of you assigned to the Clark Training Center they have an excellent training team. As far as trainers to trainees, it will vary. I don't believe there is a pre-designated ratio. Also there is an academy information packet that your supervisor can request from the Academy training program that will give you tons of info. Cal911gal provided you with great answers on all your questions. Good luck and, hopefully, you'll be in the class with my new dispatcher.

[kaos455]

I wasnt WORRIED about the confidential plates.....it was just a question. A friend of mine is a dispatchers husband at a local PD and he said his wife gets the confidential plates, I was only curious if CHP did the same. And as for the gym question, i know dispatcher trainees will not have to do PT, I go to a gym 5-6 days a week and if im going to be housed at the academy 5 days a week, if at all possible, id like to use a gym in my down time. I am not WORRIED, as you put it, but i really want to do well, maybe thats why i have so many questions. But thank you for your time and input.

I will ask the hiring supervisor ive been dealing with for more info in the future, and yes, i really hope i can make the Oct. 23rd date!

[RoadDawg]

I wasnt WORRIED about the confidential plates..... .......I am not WORRIED, as you put it, but i really want to do well, maybe thats why i have so many questions.

kaos, wanting to be educated is a good thing and I understand that, however I think you took my post as though I was being sarcastic which I was not attempting to be. I just had training at the Academy a few weeks ago, so I thought I would pass on the most recent info to you. Also, what Im trying to get across to you, is that you need not worry about some of the small stuff youre asking about, because some people stress over these things when they shouldnt. So maybe I should have stated, stressed, concerned, fretted...

Lastly, no one has answered my question in regard to the confidential plates? As a person doing the hiring it would raise a red flag with me, if one of the first questions a perspective employee asked is, "Do we get confidential plates?" Sorry, Im just trying to fore warn you, the question doesnt sound good. With that being said, I'll ask again why does it matter? Why does a confidental plate have to do with the job? Why do you think people get them?

[cal911gal]

Road Dawg,

I'll take a stab at that question, if I may. Why would it matter if dispatchers get confidential plates? Well, personally, I don't see that it matters a whit anymore. 1. If you know my name, you'll be able to find out where I am off the internet, and there's not a thing I could do about it. 2. With the new restrictions on DMV releasing information, the days of going into DMV and buying info without someone knowing about it are supposed to be long gone. So having a 10-36 plate really doesnt offer up much of anything, to anyone who has them, IMHO. Some folks feel it offers some measure of personal privacy.. and yes, dispatchers could be targeted by not so nice people, just like an officer could. Not as likely, but it does happen.

Perhaps Kaos has a reason for wanting this, which they don't wish to divulge, which is fine. That's something for them to discuss with their supervisor in their office.

On a side note, Kaos, I'm sure you can use the gym equipment, like I said, check out the Academy orientation/rules papers they will give you prior to attending, and ask the staff officer when you check in. It will all be fine I am sure :smile:

[kaos455]

Again, it was just a question. Is it a small part of the job? Obviously, otherwise we wouldnt be having this conversation about it. I know that if i get hired and get them i can not speed, run lights or drive wrecklessly and get away with it just because my plates come back to CHP. Im not stupid. Its just one part of the job that i had a question about. I have asked ALOT of questions in this thread, this is one of many. Thats what i thought this site was partly about.......asking questions of qualified people and getting the accurate answers. The question came about all because of a conversation i was having with a friend, he said my wife (a PD dispatcher) has them, i thought, i wonder if CHP dispatchers get that option, so i posed the question to CAL911GAL. Then i get the impression that im looked at like im a bad guy just trying to get in at the CHP so i can have confidential plates and run around breaking the law. I first applied with CHP over 2 years ago. If thats what i wanted, i think i wouldve checked that out before applying. I am not worried, stressed or fretting over it, it was a simple question....that was directed at someone else in fact. And to let everyone know, i am not angry or offended, i just dont want someone to judge me because of a question that i asked on a forum.

[SB 405]

As the token outsider of the forum I've got to ask this question....Why in the world would a CHP Dispatcher need these plates? I read some people may want to retaliate. What can anyone learn about a voice they hear on a radio? And just how many cases has anyone heard of where a CHP Dispatcher has been injured (or worse) with someone hunting them down? Police Officers can be gunned down for any reason at any time,but a Dispatcher? Alright I'm done....someone with experience educate me.

[cal911gal]

As the token outsider of the forum I've got to ask this question....Why in the world would a CHP Dispatcher need these plates? I read some people may want to retaliate. What can anyone learn about a voice they hear on a radio? And just how many cases has anyone heard of where a CHP Dispatcher has been injured (or worse) with someone hunting them down? Police Officers can be gunned down for any reason at any time,but a Dispatcher? Alright I'm done....someone with experience educate me.

Some of this could be considered operational, which I won't go into...regardless, DMV in their wisdom determined at some past point in time "who" is entitled to confidential plates. Dispatchers have been included in that list, as well as other non-sworn employees (in certain circumstances.) Why? I can't answer that. Does it really serve a benefical purpose? Maybe somewhere, but at the moment, that answer eludes me.

Getting gunned down - not likely. We aren't on the street exposed. If someone wanted to harm CHP personnel in general, then they'd target an area and randomly pick any employee going in or out...plates won't help you there :smile:

As to being stalked or harmed, I havent HEARD of anything like that in the news. However, I have been the victim of a statewide stalking (not related to my employment), and I have been harrassed and harrangued by "citizens" (neighbors, whatever) that dislike LE and know I am employeed by the CHP. Plates would not have mattered in either situation. In the last situation, all I can do is behave appropriately, hold my head up and be proud of what I do, and tell those people that no matter what they think of me, I'll be there to help them when they have to call 911. Makes me the better person, I suppose.

Why we need the plates? I dunno. But it's an option thats available to us. Do I have them, nope! I'm too damn lazy to fill out the form, and really, I couldn't care less about having them. I don't expect Kings X if I violate a law, nor should any of us.

Now that we've beat this dead horse to a pulp, can we start a new topic?

Peace to all :smile:

[kaos455]

How often are dispatchers told they are needed at another area office and not given a choice about the move???

[cal911gal]

How often are dispatchers told they are needed at another area office and not given a choice about the move???

Never.

Transfers are purely voluntary. You request where you want to go - if you have the seniority to get there, when there's an opening in that center, you'll be offered that slot.

The Department won't force you to go somewhere you can't be :smile: In the event of a statewide emergency, you might be asked to deploy somewhere on a temporary basis, but in almost 17 years on, I've never seen anyone get "forced" to go.

We are much kinder than, say, the army :smile: