How much time between exam and hire?

[jaltage]

Hi,
I know there is no set answer for this but I am just curious to find out how long it takes from passing the exam to being hired. I see that for police hopefuls it can take upward of a year. Is it the same for anyone trying to get into a probation department without previous LE experience? I know there are physicals and BI to be had for the probation postion as well. Does that mean a lot of time can lapse before you hear anything?

Also, is anyone out there a PO from California? I know that prospective Probation Officers have to pass P.O.S.T. Is that a full time deal or do you work in the day and complete it at night? Is it run in conjunction with regular police academy? Is the physical test the same one for police recruits?

Any and all info appreciated, even if you're not from CA! Thanks!

[randylach]

In Louisiana it took a grand total of about 3 weeks from the time I took the Civil Service test until I was hired. I interviewed, accepted offer, took drug test and physical exam and a background was performed. It really depends on the state though, Louisiana was really short on people so they hire fast, CA may be different. I dont think anywhere would take as long as police though. As far as POST, most agencies send you straight though POST while you get paid. Although, I have seen a few agencies try and nights and weekends POST academy that took forever to complete.

Randy

[MJ-1]

Like Randy said, it just depends on where your applying and how bad they need people.

It took me about 2 months to go through the process in texas. It was just the application, oral board interview, background check and drug test.

They called me on a friday and I started on the next Monday. They only gave me 2 days notice.

[Blazer]

Hi!

To answer your question, it varies in New Jersey. I tested in March 2001, interviewed for 5 counties and received three offers. One county was looking to hire me two days after the interview (in July) and the other counties offered me start dates of September 2001 .

Hope this is helpful!

Blazer

[Blazer]

Hi - forgot to mention one thing, as a PO in NJ, I did not have to go through a physical exam. Also, one more point of info that I did not know about until I started is that there are many types of PO's. For example, you have your typical PO's which supervise offenders, then the juvenile PO's, Criminal Case Management PO's and Family Division/Court PO's.

Unfortunately, when you tell people you are a PO, they automatically assume you have a caseload of probationers that you supervise.

Blazer

[badger]

Blazer, what county do you work for and what division if I might ask. Badger.

[Blazer]

Badger,

Check your PM's.

Blazer