A couple questions about the academy.

[Dardiac]

Greetings everyone!

I'm new to the board, but glad I have found it before I enter the academy. There is a lot of good information here you cant get anywhere else. After reading through the 2 packets the BI gave me at both interviews I came across a couple things i'd like to see if i can get clarification on. I hope neither of them are considered academy secrets.:smile:

Question #1
In the initial interview packet (page 5 for those who have it) it states the hours of a typical class day, however at the end it states. "Additionally, attendance at a number of courses is voluntary however highly recommended." Does this mean they have optional classes to take? Possibly during the 1700 till lights out time of the day? A secret part of me wishes they'd have a optional spanish course to take for us who were unfortunate in our decision to not take spanish in high school.

Question #2
This is just a basic question of trying to better prepare myself for the academy. I already have my own physical fitness program to prepare myself the best I can for the academy, but is there anything I can do to academically prepare myself for the class portion? I recieved the radio codes paper from the BI and am in the process of memorizing them along with the phonetic alphabet. Though was still wondering if there is more I can do to help prepare myself. Certain books or guides I can buy and study to help give me a edge in the classroom setting? I figure if I can study the right things my brain wont need to play catch up as much on certain terms they may use or what not.

Thank you in advance for your time in reading and responding to this. :smile: I hope to see some of you in the July class, and others in the field in a year!

[Dark Knight]

Question #1
In the initial interview packet (page 5 for those who have it) it states the hours of a typical class day, however at the end it states. "Additionally, attendance at a number of courses is voluntary however highly recommended." Does this mean they have optional classes to take? Possibly during the 1700 till lights out time of the day? A secret part of me wishes they'd have a optional spanish course to take for us who were unfortunate in our decision to not take spanish in high school.




hmmmm:think: I wonder if that has anything to do with PT :lol:

[dw]

A secret part of me wishes they'd have a optional spanish course to take for us who were unfortunate in our decision to not take spanish in high school.You will find there is a lot of time spent with mandatory-voluntary activities outside of your standard workday. As for Spanish, do you mean in addition to the standard Academy Spanish curriculum? Aside from the Spanish Learning Domain (class) there are no other courses offered.

Question #2
This is just a basic question of trying to better prepare myself for the academy. I already have my own physical fitness program to prepare myself the best I can for the academy, but is there anything I can do to academically prepare myself for the class portion? You're doing the right things. Memorize the SOP, phonetic alphabet, and aural brevity codes. Aside from that, spend any time you would be studying doing more PT!

[Mom]

Does this mean they have optional classes to take? Possibly during the 1700 till lights out time of the day? I don't think those are the hours for the "voluntary" classes. (Think the other end of the day......) Regardless, don't think "class hours" are strictly 7-5.

[OfficerWife]

I don't think those are the hours for the "voluntary" classes. (Think the other end of the day......) Regardless, don't think "class hours" are strictly 7-5.

Very true Mom!

[Dardiac]

As for Spanish, do you mean in addition to the standard Academy Spanish curriculum? Aside from the Spanish Learning Domain (class) there are no other courses offered.

You know, neither of the packets given to me say anything about a spanish course of any kind and thats the one thing I didnt search for on the forums :hitwall: after searching for it I found a post saying there is a spanish course, so sorry for not doing full research on the subject :smile:

Thank you for the responses everyone, once I have the Aural codes memorized i'll tell someone to scream at me for random numbers and see how well I remember during stress.

[Dark Knight]

You know, neither of the packets given to me say anything about a spanish course of any kind and thats the one thing I didnt search for on the forums :hitwall: after searching for it I found a post saying there is a spanish course, so sorry for not doing full research on the subject :smile:

Thank you for the responses everyone, once I have the Aural codes memorized i'll tell someone to scream at me for random numbers and see how well I remember during stress.





Quick 10851?:shock:

I put all the 10/11 codes on flash cards, along with a cheat sheet my friend uses in his pinch book of the most common VC's. I found flash cards to be very helpful in remembering so many codes.

[Mom]

Thank you for the responses everyone, once I have the Aural codes memorized i'll tell someone to scream at me for random numbers and see how well I remember during stress.I can promise you, it will never come close.

[HIPCHIP]

The biggest thing you will have to get used to is at the end of the day, after dinner, go back to your room and shine all your leather gear and have your uniform set for the next day, then park it and start studying.

If you gotta watch "Monday night football", then you won't be studying. If your favorite show comes on Tues at 8 PM and you're not done with your studying, then you have to make the choice.

Learn how to study and comprehend what you are reading. Give yourself little quizzes on a page or section you've just read, and if you can't answer the question, then read it some more. You may have to read a chapter 3 or more times just to make sure it all sinks in. If you don't know how, then you need to learn how to study.

If you don't pass a test you get one re-test. You have to study for the re-test while still keeping up studies on your other coursework, and if you don't pass the re-test, then you pack your bags and go home, so you need to get into good study habbits as of day one.

It's just getting into the mindset that just because "School" is out, that you don't have "Homework" to do. The academy reminded me of cramming for finals for the entire time I was there. Some folks can get by watching TV and goofing off all the time, but if you are lacking on anything you need to spend your "Free" time studying. So when you're burnt out take a little break, but then get back to hitting the books.



When I went through the Academy there was no "Recommended voluntary classes". I know now that PT isn't mandatory every day, but that it is recommended you do it daily. I would say that if it's recommended, then classify it as mandatory. You can't get in trouble for taking a class, but you sure could miss something if you don't.

[rklhughes]

I was wondering what program the academy uses for Spanish, I have the Rosetta stone, which I am fumbling through in preparation if I make it through to the end of the hiring process.

[PH3N@M]

Its CHP Spanglish 101. I don't think you can buy it at Barnes and Noble.

[dw]

I'll add one thing. If you want to buy a cheapie scanner (I think models have been discussed at one point on the 'Forums), listening to radio traffic is helpful to get oriented to how we speak. Many new officers struggle with the radio and having listened to traffic for a while can help. Dial up the local office (frequencies may be found with a search here or Google) and listen to everything. If it is a busy region, assign yourself a unit and keep track of where they are and what they're doing. Pull out a map and figure out how to get to calls as they're being dispatched. Geeky, but it works.

In many areas the dispatch frequency "repeats" the car channel, so you'll be able to hear both sides of the conversation on the dispatch frequency.

[CAHPDist2X]

The Voluntary classes came about because they were working the cadets too many hours in the FLSA period so they had to do something. Cadet pay was actually cut but augmented with some mandatory paid overtime and CTO to use after graduation. The "Voluntary classes" are usually things that help you prepare for the tasks ahead such as some of the morning PT. I don't know that anyone doesn't take the voluntary classes. Oh yes, the CAHP time is voluntary too but I'd better see you there.:badgrin:

[snowdog]

I don't know that anyone doesn't take the voluntary classes.
There is usually 1 every now and then,,,,, but it's amazing how giving they quickly become after the following day of mandatory PT.

[mmachp]

I read in the CHP booklet that PT is only the first 18 weeks of the Academy. Does that mean that PT thereafter is "voluntary"? Or does the above statement not apply anymore? Just curious, but I do have a feeling that statement in the booklet might get a lot of this....:badgrin: from people who have gone through the Academy.

[TheForceCHP]

I read in the CHP booklet that PT is only the first 18 weeks of the Academy. Does that mean that PT thereafter is "voluntary"? Or does the above statement not apply anymore? Just curious, but I do have a feeling that statement in the booklet might get a lot of this....:badgrin: from people who have gone through the Academy.

:badgrin: would be appropriate. I don't know why the booklet says that, but it is definitely out of date

[Dardiac]

I'll add one thing. If you want to buy a cheapie scanner (I think models have been discussed at one point on the 'Forums), listening to radio traffic is helpful to get oriented to how we speak. Many new officers struggle with the radio and having listened to traffic for a while can help. Dial up the local office (frequencies may be found with a search here or Google) and listen to everything. If it is a busy region, assign yourself a unit and keep track of where they are and what they're doing. Pull out a map and figure out how to get to calls as they're being dispatched. Geeky, but it works.

That sounds like a good idea. I never would have thought of something like that.

[Dark Knight]

www.publicsafetyfeeds.com


Great site to listen to while on your computer.

[JCH]

Great find Dark Knight. I've been listening to Victorville for an hour.

http://www.police-scanner.info/live-police-scanners.htm

[Mom]

There is usually 1 every now and then,,,,, but it's amazing how giving they quickly become after the following day of mandatory PT.I heard of one. I thought it was very interesting. I don't think anyone in this cadet's Jr class ever skipped the voluntary class after witnessing the results.

[Jex]

Its CHP Spanglish 101. I don't think you can buy it at Barnes and Noble.


Sounds very similar to the Engrish my wife was teaching in Japan.

[rkhani]

Hello, New on board hopeful also!
I'm also so glad to have found this site.
I"m going through the process also, and
just waiting for the reply, answer???
Goodluck to all, and wish the best for
everyone in the academy. I'm in the
Bakersfield area also, so maybe we can get
a couple of us together for more motivation
for the academy.

[Darth Choke]

I read in the CHP booklet that PT is only the first 18 weeks of the Academy. Does that mean that PT thereafter is "voluntary"? Or does the above statement not apply anymore? Just curious, but I do have a feeling that statement in the booklet might get a lot of this....:badgrin: from people who have gone through the Academy.


after week 12 or so you can sleep pretty late and write a letter to the PT staff and inform them you will PT on your own when you get up. Its a pretty sweet deal.

[TahoeTex]

after week 12 or so you can sleep pretty late and write a letter to the PT staff and inform them you will PT on your own when you get up. Its a pretty sweet deal.

:lol: ROTFLMAO