LAPD academy week 1

[HK_precop]

My days begin something like this.. I wake up at 3:00am and drive roughly 45 to 60 minutes to Ahmanson Recruit Training Center in Los Angeles. Ahmanson is the relatively "new" rctu that's replaced the Elysian park academy. During that time we are required to be in class formation according to squads by 5:30am or risk being marked tardy. If tardy you have to write these 15-07 employee report forms and send it to the drill instructor. Which ain't good. Luckily I haven't filled one out for being tardy yet. So far, we've had various classes dealing with sexual harassment, use of force, bloodborne pathogens, and an emphasis on LAPD background/ethics. Our normal class instructors so far have been in my opinion top notch police veterans. We've had extremely knowledgable policemen & women who have lectured us on topics they are familiar with in a real world setting. One example, though I won't name names, is one of the Sergeants who has lectured us on history of LAPD policing and bloodborne pathogens. This man has 30 years(!) on the job and is very in tune to what LAPD, being a police officer, and the city of Los Angeles is all about. It's extremely insightful and entertaining hearing his lectures. One thing I probably have mentioned before is that there is a very FIRM emphasis on the paramilitary nature of LAPD. There is an emphasis on esprit de corps, drills, formations, and having everything polished and in orderly condition. Above all that is an EXTREME sense of ethics that is instilled into recruits. They make it clear that you are here because you want to be here and show dedication not because THEY want you to be here. The Physical training reflects this attitude as well.. I won't go into details but lets just say I got the asschewing of a lifetime on the PT Field for small problems with my appearance. Physical Training is umm....intimidating. Last Friday which was our first day of PT they paraded out 25 drill instructors. They went from row to row screaming in people's faces and noting our various faults. I was one of the ones that got reamed pretty badly that first PT day for various reasons. I understand the game though..it's basically a long involved test of your dedication. I've had instructors scream in my face to resign now and that I didn't want to be here and tell me if I still valued my previous employment. Everything that goes on in the Ahmanson Recruit training center is also guided by protocol. We are to greet every senior officer (which means pretty much everyone) with proper salutations such as "good morning sir" etc. We are also required to walk on the right side of the wall without touching it and with a sense of purpose. We aren't allowed to wear cadet uniforms yet, that comes later right now everyone wears suits to class. The curriculum is pretty packed we are learning things on a fairly quick pace and we should be taking tests in another week. Upcoming PT looks pretty rough..we will be doing our daily 4-5 mile runs on hills soon :\



Well, that's all I have to report for now..i'll probably update in another week.

[BBradley]

Thanks for the insight, I have always been interested in the dept and this is great info.

[Mongo]

Keep the good updates rolling, this surely makes interesting reading. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

[Knute]

Please continue with your insight into the LAPD academy experience. I find it interesting reading and a learning experience.

Thank you.

[gibby11]

Sweet! You are getting some of the best LE training in the U.S. I love to hear academy stories (because mine is over thank good-ness...LOL) and see you living the dream! I would tell you it is just a game etc...but you already have a good handle on that.

Best of luck and keep posting, it is motivational to all who read it...

Be safe and be on-time,
gibby

[Kojak]

HK_precop - it's time we heard from you again?
Keep safe everybody.

[ArLawman]

Has anyone heard from H_K Precop since this post? I was just curious how things are, or went? STAY SAFE

[BBradley]

The big guy must be busy he hasn't posted since Oct 2001. Being in LAPD, I'm not really surprised. There are other LAPD officers on the website however, a search might reveal them.

[LAPD_23]

If HK made it he will be graduating from the academy it 2 weeks. He would have just completed his recruit 2 night ride-along as second officer in one of the patrol divisions.

HK If you're still on the board the name "Conta" should mean something to you.

Hk's description of the LAPD academy was very accurate for those of you who were wondering. HK hit me up sometime!

[Sig 20]

Much respect to you! Wow, sounds tough...but you sound capable of dealing w/it! Keep us posted, and Keep Your Head Up! I wish ya the best of luck!


Sig 20

[Narveen]

Hello HK_precop,
forgive my ignorance. I am not familiar with the military or the paramilitary way and have been through public schools all my life except a private elementary school which had similar disciplinary style but with corporal punishment. A friendly of mine whom I went to high school with was a mellow guy when we went to high school. But after he got out of the Navy, he was different. He was more tough and assertive. Instead of being led by me as how we were in the past, he brought 3 or 4 friends into my residence and was the head of the bunch!! I was impressed but mostly I was shocked because I was not sure how to talk to him anyway. I am sure the military is what brought about the changes. It made a man out of him clearly. My question is that when the police academy instructors talk down to you like "you are not gonna cut it...", etc., and you keep going and preserver, does this make you a tougher person? Is this what changes the person from being mellow to being tough? Is the idea to weed out those who are weak minded because only police officers with strong will will survive better and longer out there on the streets dealing with criminals and crime elements everyday? My grandfather went to the military but unfortunately he died when I was very young so I don't have much idea how people are transformed. I mean if this is what it takes to make a "man" out of a person, then I really look forward to it, despite the fact that it will most likely be one of the toughest periods of my life. Again, does it make you a stronger person? Just a side point, women tend to be more attracted to strong man with confidence. So, does it help in this regard as well?
Thanks very much in advance