Applying to the Collin County Law Enforcement Academy

[mossypath]

Good luck!
Glad all is going well.

[MNTileGuy]

Good for you! It may be your calling, it may not. Either way, life's too short to ask "what if?"

[Marge]

Hope this goes well for you and they realize what a great asset you would be.

[Bugman]

Sounds like you are well on your way. Congratulations.

[sgrandjean]

Drug screen and physical exam were done today. Psychological evaluation is tomorrow morning, and fingerprints/photos for FBI & TXDPS background check will be taken Thursday afternoon. Getting excited!

[sgrandjean]

Psychological evaluation was completed this morning. Approximately 800 questions, fifty 'complete this sentence' items, fifty math/logic problems, and a 45 minute interview with a psychologist who has done 6,000+ public safety sector personnel evaluations in the last 10 years. Won't ever know what my score is (scale of 0-6, 0 is bad and 6 is no risk). I expect that my L-3 (approval) should be signed, as he didn't indicate to me that there were any issues. Fingerprints and photos Thursday. Hope to have a formal acceptance letter in my hand by 2 September.

Cheers,

[sgrandjean]

I received word of my acceptance into the upcoming academy class which starts 26 September. Now looking for duty gear - any LEOs have a preference on a specific brand?

[Bugman]

Congratulations, Scott! Now, off to school. Best wishes.

[irish tileguy in michigan]

Well done Scott, just curious as to what age you are and if there is a cut off age.

[Marge]

Congrats Scott! Let us know what you're doing while training.

[John R]

Scott,

Congratulations.

My experience is California law enforcement. Out here, the hiring agency provides the gear you need for academy. Those who are not hired yet provide their own.

Send a private message if you have any specific questions and I'll do the best I can to answer it.

Running and working out?

[pacocop]

Good for you if its something you want to do.

Get in shape so you don't have any concerns about the academy physical issues. Don't be overbearing or over the top, its very easy to get a jacket in law enforcement by being overeager. Just be relaxed and learn the ropes. As far as duty gear, if you are buying your own you will need to find out the agency's requirements as far as leather, finish, color, type (ie velcro, standard etc.) the security level required for holsters, if they issue a weaon that it fits etc. I have always liked the velcro gear...you wear an under belt of velcro fuzzy side out, and the SB has a velcro strip on the inside, it virtually eliminates the need for keepers and belt droop. Some agencies though won't approve it.

Good luck, and stay safe. Its fun, its a ticket to the greatest show on earth, but never forget some will want to kill you for no apparent reason. Ya' just never know.

[Kman]

That velcro belt is a great product. I think Bianchi makes it. I bought one 22 years ago when I started, but had to switch in '95 since my current department doesn't allow it. Still wear the inside belt after all these years, though. I hate having to deal with keepers.

If I didn't know the specific design I was going to need to hit the streets, I'd buy the nylon gear. I'm not sure how you'll know what to buy without a specific handgun and magazines. Nylon works just as well as leather, but costs a lot less and is more durable. I certainly wouldn't invest in any leather gear. The quality leather gear is pretty expensive.

Look at the 5.11 gear at www.galls.com. They have some pretty good stuff.

[Davy]

Steve, Scott is 36....still a pup.

[sgrandjean]

Kevin,
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I'm considering the Bianchi PatrolTek line (nylon gear), on the advice of three detectives, a state trooper, and a retired police chief. Belt keepers are mandatory regardless of the type of belt I get.

I did enter a drawing at the store for a full Bianchi Accumold duty gear set-up (duty belt, holster (Bianchi or Safariland), handcuff case, magazine pouch, chemical spray holder, baton/flashlight holder and belt keepers), but won't know if I've won it until the first week of October, a week after the academy begins.

I'll be using my personal Glock 17 Gen IV through the academy. The holster has to be minimum level II retention, so I think the leather variety are out until next July, but at least I'd have a holster to use then.

Scott