Applying to the Collin County Law Enforcement Academy

[Jim Farrell Tiler]

i would have thought that all your gear including shooting iron would be supplied by your employer, it would be here anyway, we have a national police force but i understand each county has its own PD in the US of A

[sgrandjean]

Jim,
If I were employed/sponsored by an area PD, then you would indeed be correct. However, I'm putting myself through the academy/paying my own way.

[Jim Farrell Tiler]

also here you wouldnt be getting anywhere near a gun either, not until you were a detective or a senior sargent and then you wouldnt be carrying it about it would live in a lock box in the car, or if you went into the armed Offenders squad

[sgrandjean]

Purchased $500 worth of gear yesterday, only to get home and realize that I had grabbed the wrong flashlight. I wanted a AC/DC Streamlight DS LED HP, and I grabbed the one lacking the dual switch - regardless, this one packs a powerful beam. Going to look at a couple of different duty belts on Tuesday, and may even swap out the one I bought for a 5.11 belt. Opted for a level III Safariland holster for the Glock, since it was only about $25 more than the level II, and I really like it so far.

[Kman]

Retention holsters are a matter of personal preference, provided they meet agency standards, but I for one was never big on the triple retention holsters. They make the quick draw impossible, and you can forget using your weak hand to draw at all. Level 2 is plenty secure for me.

May of the shooting drills you perform will be timed and you may find you are considerably slower with what you have. Better start practicing now (unloaded, of course).

[sgrandjean]

Kevin,
Thanks for the reply - I've been practicing, and so far, I think this particular level III holster will suit me quite well. I have a level II available, just in case.
Scott

[sgrandjean]

Class 82N started this past Monday. Sixteen contact hours down. Seven-hundred sixty-eight hours are left before our state test on 27 July 2012. There are eighteen cadets in our class. Looks like we've got a good group. I am really looking forward to the next 42 weeks.

[sgrandjean]

We're five weeks into the academy, and I'm enjoying it so far. Three hours of class and one hour of physical training each night, Monday - Friday.

[proedwards]

awesome! good luck man

[Davestone]

My son was sponsored by the sheriffs dept. here.Hopefully you get hired on.Hang in there.

[sgrandjean]

Starting week 7 today. We covered Arrest, Search & Seizure last week. We'll be covering Penal Code for the next two and a half weeks. I've now lost 10 lbs and 3 1/2 inches around my waist, thanks to eating a bit better and 60 minutes of PT every night, Monday - Thursday.

[sgrandjean]

Started week 11 of 43 yesterday. Should have a test on arrest, search & seizure this week. Three days of Spanish are scheduled for next week.

[MudMaker]

Been followin but not knowledgeable enough to comment here Scott.
Still thinking about the officer that was killed at Virginia Tech - quite disturbing.
Is there any mention of that kind of situation popping up and how to deal with it?

[sgrandjean]

We're starting to hit situational awareness pretty heavy now. We are expected to know a little about each line of duty death that occurs while we are in the academy. Our defensive tactics instructor, a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, reminds us each session that there is nothing ordinary about a job that requires you to put on a bulletproof vest, and wonder/pray that you will make it home safely at the end of your shift.

[mctile]

Hey Scott! Now that your on your way to becoming a pi....uh...I mean a police officer, you might want to contact Brian in San Diego....he has had his eyes on your Pro Knees for some time now....Good luck man!