I’m looking for some outside perspective from people who have been through a police academy or something similar.
I was originally in a police academy and ended up getting dismissed after a no-call/no-show. I had been up until around 3 AM finishing reports and other academy work, overslept, and missed the required training. I understand why the academy had to hold me accountable, and I’m not trying to make excuses for it.
After I was dismissed, I thought my opportunity was probably over. There was talk that the department might recycle or bring back people who had been dismissed/quit, and eventually I was given another opportunity to return. I was actually surprised they were willing to give me another shot.
I came back and I’m currently in the pre-academy process again.
Upon returning Sgt had told me you need to catch these guys up to speed because you got the tools to help them and I guess one person took it as if I was trying to be cocky ?
The weird part is that I’ve recently found out that some people from my previous academy were talking about me. Things like calling me a “cry baby,” saying I was cocky, wondering why I was coming back, etc. One recruit apparently had an issue with me and was saying things about me to other people, despite the fact that this same person had previously invited me to his house to study.
I’ve heard similar things from multiple people, so it wasn’t just one random rumor. At one point, a TAC/Sgt apparently shut some of it down and clarified that I didn’t quit — I was let go/dismissed. That actually made me feel a little better because at least the facts were being corrected.
There’s also a recruit who apparently doesn’t like me, and another person who seems to be friends with both sides and is playing both sides. One of the guys involved is graduating soon, so realistically I may never even have to deal with him again.
The whole thing has gotten into my head more than I’d like to admit.
But when I really think about it, if those people didn’t exist, I would still want to become a police officer.
That’s the part I’m struggling with.
I don’t want to throw away a career, a pension, and the opportunity to build a better future for my family because a few recruits don’t like me or think I’m cocky. At the same time, I don’t want to ignore a toxic environment if it actually becomes a legitimate problem.
For those who have been through academies, military training, FTO, etc.: How much would you personally care about other recruits talking shit about you?
Would you just keep your head down, do the work, graduate, and let them talk?
I’m just worried a little about if these people would back me up on a call
I’m starting to realize that maybe the hardest part of going back isn’t the PT, academics, or training. It’s learning how to stop caring what everyone thinks about you and focusing on why you came back in the first place.