Why the Academy Secret?

[Processing]

As someone who has been through the hiring process years ago, and a long time visitor of this website, I would say that I have a general idea of how people like to keep academy life and curriculum a guarded secret. Of course bits and pieces are discussed, but it seems as though all discussions are kept to a relatively vague level.

That said, I have to say I'm a little confused. To me, I would think it would be a positive thing to share details about academy life. Afterall, what is the total cost of bringing an applicant through the hiring process, paying for them to go to Sacramento, paying for the health insurance, having them take up a spot at the academy, and then in the end, have them realize that they don't like what they got themselves into?

Of course theirs the arguement that applicants SHOULD know what they are getting themselves into, but anyone who has been to the acdemy has seen people quit... and many times it's because they realize the life isn't for them. Think about the money and time that could have been saved had that person known what they were REALLY getting into ahead of time, and not proceeded through the process!

Same goes for curriculum. Now in this particular subject, I know we can't have every dick and jane walking around knowing CHP policy, but where's the harm in letting people in on what is being taught for general law enforcement curriculum? Any bookstore has books that cover the topics anyway, so why not let an applicant know specifically what to study ahead of time? I don't know about you, but I would know a subject alot better if I had several months to burn it into my brain rather than trying to cram it in within a few weeks. Wouldn't we all rather have someone who has really learned the background of their work, and not just picked it up on a weekend cram session? Don't see how it's cheating if you took the time to learn it. AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND KEEPING CHP POLICY UNDER TIGHT WRAPS, but general law... don't get it.

I am just thinking that if an applicant gets a full view of the life in front of them, they would be better at evauating if it's the right choice for them. I think if an applicant could start the learning process early on, they might be that much better in the future.

Please keep in mind this is opinion only. I understand that trying to do everything ahead of time can be detrimental. I think alot of people on this site have seen those people that claim to know how to shoot, and then the academy has to try and break them of their bad habits. I agree... leave some things to Sacramento... but let people in on some of the rest. Afterall, aside from this process, would many of you take a job not knowing if you were really cut out for it or without really knowing what it entailed?

Do me a favor and let me know your thoughts... but lets please try and keep this more logical, and less egotistical. thanks!!!

[snowdog]

I don't think there are many secrets here. There are some experiences that are more effective when they are experienced first hand without prior knowledge/warning. Things such as pick-up day, "pork run", blue cards and Academy infractions, the wonderful food.
Regarding the curriculum, if you really want to better prepare yourself get a degree in AJ so you don't have to cram. You will learn the same basic criminal law there as you are going to learn at the Academy. Then you only have to worry about studying for the CHP specific classes. While you are at it, take a driving course, shooting course, CPR class, Spanish class, and hire a personal trainer to meet you at the gym M-F at 0430. Perhaps that's the best way to prepare yourself rather than depending on others to tell you what will be taught.
If you don't know a great deal of what you are getting yourself into by pick-up day you just haven't paid attention. Every applicant I know has had a full view of Academy life when they viewed the "Cadet Blues" video.
Informing an applicant of the costs the State has incurred is pretty useless because once they make up their mind to leave they don't care about logistics. Again, if you pay attention during your workshops, testing and orientation odds are that you were already told this information.
We know that there will never be a class that graduates the same number of people that began. There will always be some attrition regardless of what we say or do.
Additionally, there are much fewer "secrets" these days compared to those of us who applied prior to Al Gore inventing the internet. Most information can be found either here or on some other internet site.
Let me ask you. Exactly what specific question(s) do you believe the answers are being kept secret?

[HwyChaser]

The folks who visit this site know 10 times more about academy life than any of us did. They should go through all the same stress we did. If they cant hack it and quit...... the filter system worked. I feel they know a bit too much already. Just my opinion.......

[PapaBear]

I am not quite certain you understand the reasons why people quit the Academy. Here are just a few that I know of:

1. They suddenly realize that the JOB is not what they thought it would be.

2. The danger is too prevalent on the road.

3. There is too much emphasis on commercial training or some other training they do not wish to have.

4. Their families put pressure on them to quit and not be in Law Enforcement

5. They are academically deficient regardless of the subject.

The fact that one is chosen/selected to attend the Academy does not automatically make them a member of the CHP. That must be earned and the individual must prove that he/she is worthy of the badge.

All jobs in life require knowledge, learning, development and maturity.

Attending the Academy is the primary building block for a long and arduous journey. If you want it bad enough, you will prevail. Those who quit were not ready for one of the above reasons or for some other reason.

Detailing each and every moment of one's daily activities and experiences in the Academy will not solve the drop rate; nor, will it improve the success rate. Those are matters of personal endeavor.

[Eagl5]

:evil: WHAT!! Yeah lets take them by the hand and walk them through the tough times. And while we are at it, lets have the Applicant go and contact the scum we have to deal with so they know what they have to deal with on the road. Yeah, I wish when I went into the Marines they would have told me what was happen, but I manned up and dealt with it at 18. So if someone comes to the Academy and gets shoced because they are being yelled at, then so be it. Like I have said in other posts, I would rather they quit there then on the road. Also as long as you stay awake in class, you will get through the academy. I can't believe this, what else, why don't we just make the academy a on line course that way we won't hurt anybodies feelings and then we can have a sit down love circle when they graduate their on line course. :evil::evil::evil::evil:

[CWMellow]

I'm 99.9% sure that everyone who has ever attended the academy wanted to quit at one time or another. At the end of the first week I wanted to run back to my sub $7 an hour job with my tail between my legs. It all depends on who has the jewles to push on through all the stress, hard work, and what other feelings you may have (kinda like the real world). If you want the job so bad that you went through the application process for a year, swallow your pride and push on.

I also think that cadets know too much. I was in one of the first classes that had a group of us that were on this site. There were some attitudes early on because they "knew." However, that got humbled rather quickly. I think if you want to know, find an officer and ask. I can say that I learned a great deal from officers that I know, because I asked.

There will always be the few that dont make it because "the life" is not for them. They just need to realize that how they are treated and live at the academy is not how it is going to be once they become officers.

I was thinking more of a weekend academy... this way cadets can study all week for your community policing exam (Ohhh can I say that?) as well as spend some quality time with your family and friends. :doh:

[TheForceCHP]

X2 on all above

I spend large portions of my time on this web-site trying to prepare before I went to the academy, but I didn't learn everything here. I am thankful to the officers on this site who didn't tell all of the stories about the academy, it quite honestly would have taken all of the fun out of it.

You want to know everything about the academy before you go, but you need to learn to adapt because you will never know everything about the car you will one day be approaching on the side of the road.

[BunnyHunter]

X2 on all above
You want to know everything about the academy before you go, but you need to learn to adapt because you will never know everything about the car you will one day be approaching on the side of the road.

Very well put!

[dw]

This is a post I wrote on the subject a while ago: http://www.chpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11356t#post11356

The bottom line for me is you're asking to join an unpredictable profession. The Academy is there to prepare you for that. If you are able to make it through the Academy only because you've predicted what it's going to be like, we and everyone else are doing you and your family a disservice. If you can't adapt to the unknown, learn quickly, and make snap decisions -- all in a controlled environment -- then you shouldn't be on the road where people genuinely want to kill you. If you go to the Academy knowing what to expect, having all your responses scripted out (because you know what is coming), have already studied all the LD's and experience little to no stress, yeah -- you may look like a good investment who made it on to the road. But what about the first stop that goes sideways and you have to make a life or death decision under pressure -- something you never did at the Academy?

[Officer_Grady]

nothing else needs to be said from dw's post.