One last try! St. Paul (MN) PD Officer Trainee Academy...

[Belgarion]

Well, I have been deleted twice by the moderators, so hopefully this post pasts muster... :)

Do any of my fellow Minne "soah" tans know anything about St. Paul PD and the 26 week Police Officer Trainee Academy?

As anyone from MN knows, one must jump through MANY hoops in order to become hired on at a PD, SO, or State Patrol agency. This academy is for those that have a 4-year degree not in LE. I am very interested in this. Anyone who wants more info PM me quickly, as a closing date is emminent (sp?). Also, if anyone has some intel on this. please speak up.

Mr. Moderators, did I do ok with this post???? No free advertising, right??? :)

Belgarion

[ceobob]

Originally posted by Belgarion
Well, I have been deleted twice by the moderators, so hopefully this post pasts muster... :)

Mr. Moderators, did I do ok with this post???? No free advertising, right??? :)

Belgarion

The moderators have nothing to do with your posts being deleted. I am the one who deleted your posts, and I sent you the PM. If you have a problem with the rules, feel free to PM me.

[Belgarion]

Bob,

No problem here, I guess I came across as being sarcastic, which I wasn't trying to do. Trying to be positive which was what the smiley faces were for....!

Bel

[msu_cj_grad]

I'm in the midst of it right now. Done with school and can't even get a job until I finish Skills and the POST test. I'll be graduated from college for 8 months and not even land a job. Anyways, does anyone know if a lot of the Cities area (St. Paul, Mlps, suburbs) have their own academies or will the one in Alex I'm taking this summer? Or, will I have to go through another academy down there if I decide to start looking there?

[Belgarion]

msu,

the one in Alex is the only state academy I know of...I think that the way that one goes about becoming a peace officer here in MN is frusterating, because you almost have to decide right out of high school in order to get the two years of school done (and then the skills part in the summer of your last year).

As far as other academies...MPLS and St. Paul (and some others)have shortened academies for lateral transfers.

The 26 week academy that St. Paul is going to do in Sept is for those with at least 4 year degrees and no LE background or education. I have heard a lot of people have applied. A buddy going through Metro State LE program said one of his instructors (a sergeant with SPPD) told him people with Masters Degrees and Law degrees are applying, so the competition is going to be tough. I don't think SPPD has ever done this kind of academy before.

[Surlyfritz209]

Hey msu_cj_grad, I guess I'll be seeing ya this summer. Have you looked at places to live up there yet? There are a lot that rent out just for the ten weeks. Question: is MSU Mankato State? Send me a PM when ya get a chance.

Later, Fritz

[hightower]

Ok guys, heres some answers to some of the questions posed.

#1. No Alex is not the only "Skills" program in Minnesota. It is one of better known schools though. Hibbing Community College offers a skills program in Hibbing and also at several other schools throughout the state including Rochester and Mankato State (my alma mater). Metro State also offers skills but I have heard that you must get your degree there in order to go through their skills program.

#2. From people that I have talked to, this is the first time the St. Paul PD will be offering a training academy where any 4 year degree is accepted. This is NOT an unheard of thing though. There is currently a program called "Police Corps" going on at Camp Ripley. This is a federally funded program that allows you to go through the academy if you have any 4 year degree. The Minnesota State Patrol also did a similar academy several years ago.

#3. The only departments that have additional academies (that I know of) are Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the State Patrol. All others that I know of just do an FTO program after hiring. The time on that varies from department to department.

You can PM or Email me with any other questions you may have.

Hightower

[Belgarion]

I will be there as well on the 13th...Good luck, K9...

[RWPD_262]

One of our deputies just left our Sheriffs Department for the St. Paul PD. From what i hear about this department, it is top notch, like what was mentioned. Good luck to you guys who are going for this process.

262

[kingpervis]

Hey all,


I'm currently in the Alex Tech LE Transition Program. I will be going to Skills here this summer. I'll be in St. Paul on the 13th as well taking the test for PD Trainee...then hopefully get that application moved over to Officer once I complete Skills and take the POST test.

I'm concerned about St. Paul, though, as Mayor Kelly has just initiated a hiring freeze due to budget cutbacks. I don't know what impact this will have on PD hiring. Anyone here have any idea?

I know that I'm sending out applications everywhere. I'd love to work for St. Paul PD, but the competition is fierce. Right now I'm more concerned about just getting a job!!

I guess I'll be seeing some of you on the 13th. I'm also sending my scores over to the Plymouth Police Department.

[williamssd]

Well, it's good to know I won't be the only one there from the forums. :) I have heard a LOT of good things about SPPD, but I'm not sure if I'd like the size of the city. Plus, those are a lot of damned roads to try and remember. But, since I have not conditional offer yet I'm going to keep trying at as many places as possible.

Fortunately, I have one BI started, and Green Bay PD just called today to set up a meeting to begin my BI with them. It's been almost a year since I graduated -- I hope I get something soon.

Good luck everyone! :)

- Steve

[K9 Police]

Hey guys,

Just got the letter saying that I passed the written exam for Police Trainee for the Saint Paul Police Department! They are asking now to send in a resume by April 5th. All those career planning classes and practice writing resumes will finally pay off!! :) Hope everyone else got good news also.

K9

[kingpervis]

Just got my letter recently as well. I took the St. Paul test for St. Paul, but also forwarded my scores on to Plymouth. Both departments rejected me based on my score on the test.


That test was ridiculous. How the heck can I fail a test that is nothing more than opinions? It irritates me to no end. How many more of these "how do you feel" tests am I gonna fail? Sheesh. I didn't wanna work there anyways.

Dan

[K9 Police]

Dan,

Sorry for the unfortunate news from both departments. Keep applying and you will get it. It looks like you are at Alexandria so you are getting an excellent LE education. Just don't give up hope.

As for the test, I was a little shocked myself. It was definetly a lot different than other tests I have taken for departments. Although, I think that they shouldn't grade on a pass or fail. I don't think that you can reasonably fail that test. They take the top scores.

As for the scoring, I know for a fact that they are initially looking for a type of police officer. Therefore, when the tests are scored they are going to take the scores that reflect what type of officer they want. Therefore, you can not reasonably fail. It is just that you are not the type of applicant they are looking for.

Hope that helps and good luck.

K9

[jay202]

I just attended a job fair for law enforcement at the Mpls Convention Center yesterday. From what I heard St Paul is planning an academy for this fall, like other people here have mentioned. My question is am I too late to apply for this? Since I have seen that people have already tested for it in St Paul and there is no current announcement on SPPD's job page. Any info or speculation welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Jay

[K9 Police]

Jay, it looks as though you are a little too late. The deadline for the application for Police Trainee and Police Officer was February 1st. I don't know when they will be posting again. Although keep your eyes open for Parking Enforcement Officer and Park Ranger, as rumor has it that they may be opening up soon.

Although I wish I knew that there was a law enforcement fair yesterday in Mpls. How did you hear of it? Too bad I missed it! How was it? I would to love to hear some details.

K9

[jay202]

I ran across the add for the career fair while browsing the POST board site and I believe it was under "links". There were a lot of departments there from the metro area, some fed and county as well and there were schools reps there for CJ Programs. I was able get a lot of helpful info, but it seems like either the person was mistaken about there being an academy for SPPD or possibly they are anticipating another one....anyones guess.

Thanks for replying! Good luck in your process, keep updating on your progress!

Jay

[K9 Police]

"but it seems like either the person was mistaken about there being an academy for SPPD or possibly they are anticipating another one"

There are academies starting in September for SPPD. One academy is for the Police Trainees. The Police Trainee academy are for individuals with a 4 year degree but do not have POST certification. This academy is supposed to run until sometimes next January or February. During the academy not only will you go through the regular SPPD Training, but you will also take classes for the POST examination. That is why this is a very long academy compared to the regular academy.

The Police Officer academy is also supposed to start in September. This is for individuals who are POST certified (2yr of 4yr). This is the basic SPPD academy training that does not need the classes because of the already POST certification. Not sure when this class will be graduating, but it will be before the Trainee academy.

The applications for both processes were due February 1st and the written exam was in March. For the police trainee process, if you passed the written you had to turn in a resume by today.

I wouldn't doubt that SPPD might be hiring in the future, but I know that they are working on these two academies as of right now.

SPPD is my number one choice. Being a reserve officer for them makes me bias I guess. However, they are VERY professional and are well recognized nationally. Many officers indicate that once you get hired by SPPD you most likely will not go anywhere else. The department is big enough to do any type of specialty unit (CIRT, K9, etc.) and the benefits and salary are actually very good. Although it is very competitive to get on as they usually only take the best.

I would suggest getting into their Park Ranger or Parking Enforcement Officer program as they promote these positions to officers before hiring from the regular eligibility list. They will also take any applicants that sign up through the Minnesota Police Corps program and complete the training. (An excellent program by the way).

Hope that helped a little. Don't hesitate to post any questions or concerns.

K9

[jay202]

K9,

Really appreciate all the great info you've provided! I do have a four year degree so I'm very interested in looking into the extended academy that you mentioned. That must have been the program I was told about at the career fair.

What do you do as a reserve officer? How many hrs/wk etc..

Thanks again.

Jay

[Belgarion]

Hey All,

I too recieved a thanks but no thanks letter...I was a little shocked myself, but oh well, life goes on...Good luck to those who have moved on in the process.

By the way, How 'bout them Gopher Puckheads??? (cue the Minnesota Rouser...)


Bel

[K9 Police]

No problem Jay.

As for St Paul PD, there are two types of volunteer positions.

The first is a reserve officer where you work the extra-curricular events that the city has. This includes the parades, some sporting events, bike patrol, etc. The minimum is to work, I believe, 8 hours a month.

The second is called a Neighborhood Assistance Officer. This is like the reserve position but a little more. As a NAO you can do all the events such as parades, sports, etc but you can also do patrol work. You can patrol anytime of the day and is more of an assist to officers on patrol than anything. You do a lot of house checks, house surveys, business checks and the like. I am a NAO just because I am not always available to do the events with school, work, etc. I can go out and volunteer anytime I like. The minimum is usually 8 hours a month but it all depends on how much you volunteer.

Of course with each you are always on call in case the department needs you in a disaster situation or major crime event (fires, crime scene control, etc.)

They are always taking applications so if you would like one let me know (PM or email). There is an academy for a couple months on a certain day that you must complete before going out on your own. Of course there is also the FTO (training portion) before you get to drive by yourself. And no, the volunteers don't ALWAYS drive marked squads.

As for our gophers, I wish I had tickets for tomorrow's game. Its kind of cool that I am graduating this year and we might win the national title!

Hope that helps some Jay. Let me know if you got more ?'s.

K9