Well its been a while since the last update thats for sure! However I was scheduled for my BPAD, hearing/visual testing on Oct. 11th in Orillia.
Went in very nervous, but I also felt extremely prepared after studying for several days on the policeprep website, also asking some questions on the blueline forums.
The BPAD's were actually fun! I can't induldge too far into the specifics, but as far as tips and advice are concerned, DONT BE NERVOUS! I know its hard to say this now, especially since i am done, but once you get into the thick of it things start to settle down and one actually starts to have some fun with it!
The hearing/visuals were standard procedure, nothing hard, passed no problem.
A nice thing about taking the testing through the OPP is i found out i passed the BPADs the next day, on the 14th, and had my certificate in hand on the 15th!!! Can't beat that speedy service, as opposed to ATS testing taking weeks to deliver the certificate!
With this speedy service i applied to Toronto Police on the following Monday! As i sit, i am currently awaiting the "phone call" to come in for an interview.... I will keep everyone posted!!!
Regards,
Simon
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
I PASSED!
Well the first stages of testing are done!
I wrote the WCT - a collision report based on a multi-vehicle collision, it went very smoothly, I can thank hours of practising for that.
I also wrote the PATI - a 90 question aptitude test, also went very smoothly i believe, seemed easier then the material i was practicing on the policeprep.com website.
And finally the PREP - the obstacle course, my first time going through it and i got a time of 2:15 - way below the cut-off of 2:43. Then there was the shuttle run component or beep test, and made it no problem to level 6.5.
So im very pleased with myself, I am on the right road! Just need to wait for a phone call to book my BPAD video simulations, once that is completed i will get my Certificate of Results and i can freely apply to a police department.
I wrote the WCT - a collision report based on a multi-vehicle collision, it went very smoothly, I can thank hours of practising for that.
I also wrote the PATI - a 90 question aptitude test, also went very smoothly i believe, seemed easier then the material i was practicing on the policeprep.com website.
And finally the PREP - the obstacle course, my first time going through it and i got a time of 2:15 - way below the cut-off of 2:43. Then there was the shuttle run component or beep test, and made it no problem to level 6.5.
So im very pleased with myself, I am on the right road! Just need to wait for a phone call to book my BPAD video simulations, once that is completed i will get my Certificate of Results and i can freely apply to a police department.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Tommorrow is the Big Day!
Oh wow, I think i am ready -wait... i Know i am ready!
I'll give everyone a big update on what the whole experience was like after everything is said and done. I will be heading up to Orillia at some point today and getting myself focused in and mentally prepared.
So stay tuned....
Simon
I'll give everyone a big update on what the whole experience was like after everything is said and done. I will be heading up to Orillia at some point today and getting myself focused in and mentally prepared.
So stay tuned....
Simon
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
T Minus One Week!
Wow, things are creeping up fast! This time next week ill know whether i have passed or failed the testing! How nerve-racking!!
So next monday i'll be heading up to Orillia where ill study and review all the material on the policeprep.com website and my police testing handbook.
I decided to stay overnight in Orillia rather then make the 1.5 hour drive on Tuesday morning ,praying that rushhour traffic doesn't cause me to be late. Hopefully its the better choice!
Come Tuesday morning, gotta write the written components first, starting with the WCT - the accident collision report, and finishing with the PATI - the 90 question/ 90 minute aptitude exam.
If I am successful with both, then i will head to Georgian College in Barrie to undergo the Prep physical, including the obstacle course and shuttle run!
Then if i am successful, my day is done! But all is not over, i have B-pad testing - video simulations, within 2 weeks or so!
It's going to be a crazy Fall season!
So next monday i'll be heading up to Orillia where ill study and review all the material on the policeprep.com website and my police testing handbook.
I decided to stay overnight in Orillia rather then make the 1.5 hour drive on Tuesday morning ,praying that rushhour traffic doesn't cause me to be late. Hopefully its the better choice!
Come Tuesday morning, gotta write the written components first, starting with the WCT - the accident collision report, and finishing with the PATI - the 90 question/ 90 minute aptitude exam.
If I am successful with both, then i will head to Georgian College in Barrie to undergo the Prep physical, including the obstacle course and shuttle run!
Then if i am successful, my day is done! But all is not over, i have B-pad testing - video simulations, within 2 weeks or so!
It's going to be a crazy Fall season!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Community involvement
One of the biggest factors in a police service determining the eligibility of a candidate is their willingness and track-record of community work. The desire to help the community out on a person's off time, for free and with little material reward - possibly a free t-shirt or hat.
I mean, what kind of potential officer would a person be if they wanted nothing to do with the community, simply wanting to make arrests and take home their paycheque.... Well not a very good officer!! Policing is all about being proactive and involving yourself in the community!
Personally, I try to attend 1-2 volunteer events a month. Nothing too crazy, I often see commercials on fundraising activities going on in the Toronto area, I check out the website, and sure enough they are in desperate need of voluntters, so I apply.
It's usually a one day event, I go in early, set up, do anything the team leaders ask of me, then leave! I also ensure I talk to the leader afterwards and work out arrangements to receive a letter of reference saying i particpated in the event and that i did a good job!
While they don't seem like much, after half a year or a year, you've got a dozen or more letters talking about your volunteer experience and you willingness to help others, and it helps!
So get out and do something!
Regards,
Simon
I mean, what kind of potential officer would a person be if they wanted nothing to do with the community, simply wanting to make arrests and take home their paycheque.... Well not a very good officer!! Policing is all about being proactive and involving yourself in the community!
Personally, I try to attend 1-2 volunteer events a month. Nothing too crazy, I often see commercials on fundraising activities going on in the Toronto area, I check out the website, and sure enough they are in desperate need of voluntters, so I apply.
It's usually a one day event, I go in early, set up, do anything the team leaders ask of me, then leave! I also ensure I talk to the leader afterwards and work out arrangements to receive a letter of reference saying i particpated in the event and that i did a good job!
While they don't seem like much, after half a year or a year, you've got a dozen or more letters talking about your volunteer experience and you willingness to help others, and it helps!
So get out and do something!
Regards,
Simon
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Value of Police Foundations and Education in General
There is a variety of opinions and information regarding the importance of Police Foundations - for those that do not know, it is a program offered by community colleges geared towards people looking to pursue a career in law enforcement.
It is important to understand that it is not required by any Canadian police service to date; however, neither is any form of post secondary education.
The minimum requirements are quite low at your standard highschool diploma and First-aid class C.
I feel that Police Foundations is a great program to take - I took it and graduated with honours. It lays the groundwork for policing in several fields including:
I definitely recomend the PF program to anyone interested in law enforcement, but I also recomend that the individual takes whatever program they are interested in, not necessarily one because it foreshadows a future career. Police services nowadays are looking for people from a wide range of experiences.
If your intersted in computer sciences, take it! A police service will view you as a huge asset because of your computer literacy and skills, the computer crimes department is right at your footsteps!
This is just one example of how one should play out their education - I am happy I took the program, I learned alot and made some excellent references in the policing field. Take whatever program or life experience you are interested in, the rest will follow suit.
Take care,
Simon
It is important to understand that it is not required by any Canadian police service to date; however, neither is any form of post secondary education.
The minimum requirements are quite low at your standard highschool diploma and First-aid class C.
I feel that Police Foundations is a great program to take - I took it and graduated with honours. It lays the groundwork for policing in several fields including:
- Diversity issues
- Community policing and principles
- The physical aspect of the job
- Law
- Police powers of arrest
- Criminal Code
- Highway Traffic Act
- Provincial Offences Act
- Forensics
- Evidence, report writing, form writing
- etc.
I definitely recomend the PF program to anyone interested in law enforcement, but I also recomend that the individual takes whatever program they are interested in, not necessarily one because it foreshadows a future career. Police services nowadays are looking for people from a wide range of experiences.
If your intersted in computer sciences, take it! A police service will view you as a huge asset because of your computer literacy and skills, the computer crimes department is right at your footsteps!
This is just one example of how one should play out their education - I am happy I took the program, I learned alot and made some excellent references in the policing field. Take whatever program or life experience you are interested in, the rest will follow suit.
Take care,
Simon
Monday, September 11, 2006
9/11
Wow, i cannot believe it has been 5 years already - I can still remember the day like it was yesterday. Entering my grade 10 accounting class to see the class in total silence, my eyes wandering towards the television, only to see the constant repeat of a plane striking the tower. I didn't know what to think or how to act - i thought the world was coming down on us, world war 3, this was it, life as we know it.
Well 5 years later the images and sounds still play hard in our heads, but life has gone on, people have grown, experiences continue to surround us, everyone has gone about their daily business.
Such a tragedy to live with, but I guess what i am trying to say is, no matter how hard it gets, there will always be a tommorrow, another day to prove ourselves, push ourselves through the trials of life, no matter who gets in our way.
Praying for the families and victims of 9/11 - as well as all tragedies around the world.
We will be strong, no matter what.
Regards,
Simon
Well 5 years later the images and sounds still play hard in our heads, but life has gone on, people have grown, experiences continue to surround us, everyone has gone about their daily business.
Such a tragedy to live with, but I guess what i am trying to say is, no matter how hard it gets, there will always be a tommorrow, another day to prove ourselves, push ourselves through the trials of life, no matter who gets in our way.
Praying for the families and victims of 9/11 - as well as all tragedies around the world.
We will be strong, no matter what.
Regards,
Simon
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Upcoming police test date on Sept 26th, 2006
Well I am signed up to undergo the C.O.R (certificate of results) testing through the OPP on Sept. 26th!
What is the C.O.R? It is the standardized certificate that enables one to apply to a specific munipal or provincial police service. The only exceptions to this rule are Peel Regional Police and the RCMP - they undergo their own in-house testing.
The certificate is good for 3 years, with the physical portion expiring every 6 months.
The physical component is a mock obstacle course, consisting of some manouvering skills, star climb, wall hop, some wrist and arm restraint simulators, ending with a dummy drag.
The second component of the physical is the shuttle run or beep test, where one must run from one end of the room to the other before the beep, with the beep getting gradually faster as time progresses - I've already done this and I made it to level 9, pass is a 6.5 so I know this section will not be a problem.
The written component is composed of a 90 question aptitude test, and a 60 min collision report.
I have been making friends with www.policeprep.com for the past few weeks now, doing practise exams every week and generally trying to prepare! I am not nervous yet, but as the date approaches I know my blood pressure will rise.
Worst case scenario would be that somehow I fail, followed by a 6 month minimum wait before I am eligible to re-take the testing. So it is of extreme importance that I pass!!
I will keep everyone updated on how I do!!
Any positive comments are greatly appreciated!
Take care
Simon
What is the C.O.R? It is the standardized certificate that enables one to apply to a specific munipal or provincial police service. The only exceptions to this rule are Peel Regional Police and the RCMP - they undergo their own in-house testing.
The certificate is good for 3 years, with the physical portion expiring every 6 months.
The physical component is a mock obstacle course, consisting of some manouvering skills, star climb, wall hop, some wrist and arm restraint simulators, ending with a dummy drag.
The second component of the physical is the shuttle run or beep test, where one must run from one end of the room to the other before the beep, with the beep getting gradually faster as time progresses - I've already done this and I made it to level 9, pass is a 6.5 so I know this section will not be a problem.
The written component is composed of a 90 question aptitude test, and a 60 min collision report.
I have been making friends with www.policeprep.com for the past few weeks now, doing practise exams every week and generally trying to prepare! I am not nervous yet, but as the date approaches I know my blood pressure will rise.
Worst case scenario would be that somehow I fail, followed by a 6 month minimum wait before I am eligible to re-take the testing. So it is of extreme importance that I pass!!
I will keep everyone updated on how I do!!
Any positive comments are greatly appreciated!
Take care
Simon
Welcome to Police Quest!
Hello everyone!
I decided to create a blog about my progress and pursuit of a law enforcement career - more specifically, my dream to become a police officer. I feel this blog could serve several purposes: My own motivation, seeing the progress I have made and the progress I plan on making, as well as providing an information bank towards others who share the same dreams.
With that said, I would just like to welcome everyone, and to stay tuned to several articles popping up over the course of the near future.
I would also like to invite anyone to post comments regarding their own experiences, whether they are dealing in security, police, military, emergency medical services, firefighters, etc. Any insight is always welcome and appreciated!
Take care for now,
Simon
I decided to create a blog about my progress and pursuit of a law enforcement career - more specifically, my dream to become a police officer. I feel this blog could serve several purposes: My own motivation, seeing the progress I have made and the progress I plan on making, as well as providing an information bank towards others who share the same dreams.
With that said, I would just like to welcome everyone, and to stay tuned to several articles popping up over the course of the near future.
I would also like to invite anyone to post comments regarding their own experiences, whether they are dealing in security, police, military, emergency medical services, firefighters, etc. Any insight is always welcome and appreciated!
Take care for now,
Simon
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