Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Wednesday, August 17, 2011
First day issues can be frustrating. This is a new application process
and if you are not 100 percent sure on what to do it’s important that
you do some research before you come down. If you have any questions,
please call 713-308-1300 for an instant answer or you can email me.
Some of the problems encountered yesterday that you can avoid are as follows:
First and foremost, meet the requirements to apply!
Click here: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/requirements.htm
Flip flops, jeans, t-shirts, shorts…really? Dress in business attire
or business casual. This is a job interview; leave an impression, not a
wrong impression.
Have all your documents when you come down. You will be turned away
if you do not have ALL your documents. Unless you just like driving
downtown, have all your documents in order with copies when you arrive.
ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS!
Click here: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/required_documents.htm
Don’t have your pet chicken fill out the forms. It’s really hard to
read the scratch. Write legibly and neatly. Make sure all the blanks are
filled. Remember, as you go along in the process, the Chief of Police
will be looking at your file if you are chosen as a cadet. Do you really
want the Chief of Police wondering about your writing skills?
Fill out the forms correctly. Follow instructions. This is a detail
oriented job. If you can not fill out simple forms while you are going
through the hiring process what makes you think that you can fill out
arrest warrants and detailed police reports? Take your time and do it
right the first time.
Make sure you have your NEOGOV application receipt! Even if you
applied in the past, you must fill out a new NEOGOV application. Click
here for the career website and to apply online: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/index.htm
Yes, we did away with the height and weight requirement, but you
still have to be in shape. You will be required to run the mile and a
half, 300 meters, pushups and vertical jump. If you are overweight and
out of shape, you might want to wait before you apply.
Click here: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/physical_agility_fitness.htm
In closing, take this advice to heart; I really want to help you
achieve your dream of becoming a police officer with HPD. If you have
any questions, please email me before you take the plunge. Remember, if
you need your answer right away, you can always call Recruiting at
713-308-1300.
In the mean time “google” this phrase Allzeit Bereit and keep it in mind from here on out.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Doors opened today at 0800 hours. These applicant's were already in line when I arrived this morning. Some had been there since 0400 hours.
Prepared? You bet!
When you come down to turn in your packet, please make sure you have ALL your documents and dress in business attire.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Monday, August 15, 2011
"I just filled out my online application to become an HPD K-9! I hope they pick me!"
Remember "future cadets", as this new hiring process begins, you must fill out a NEW online application at the NeoGov City of Houston Application site: http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/index.htm
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Friday, August 12, 2011
http://www.houstontx.gov/police/career/index.htm
Is it time for you to STAND UP and make a difference. Apply online today!
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Come join the Travis Manion
Foundation as we run to honor our Heroes. The 2011 9/11 Heroes Run is
bringing communities together throughout the country this September 11th. Our goal is to never forget the sacrifices of all of the Heroes of September 11th
- veteran, first responder, and civilian. We honor the fallen by
challenging the living. This is a run for charity with proceeds going to
support the communities who keep us safe. Volunteer, Run, or just come
out and watch - it promises to be a great time.
If you're undecided about participating ask yourself, "if not me, then who..."
For more information about the Houston location run click here: http://www.911heroesrun.com/2011HeroesRuns/Texas/HoustonTX.aspx
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Credit
Applicants must have good stable credit. We are not concerned with
your credit score, but you cannot have accounts that are delinquent
(behind on payments) or that are in collections. If you have settled
accounts recently, these may not be reflected on your credit report so
it is important that you are able to show proof by means of letters from
your creditors.
If you are required by law to pay child support, you must be up to date and current. If you owe money to an apartment complex or a home that you may have leased, make sure you are settled with them as well.
Once again, we are not looking at your score, we just want to make
sure you have either caught up on your bills or have made arrangements
with the creditor in writing.
If you are not sure, I suggest that you pull up your credit report and take a look before submitting an application.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Tattoos and Body Art.
Applicants cannot have tattoos or body art that is visible while wearing the official HPD
uniform. If you have tattoos that would be visible in uniform you must
have them removed or you will not be eligible for employment. In the
past, applicants who have had tattoos that are on the neck, face, head,
wrists, or hands have been denied employment.
If your official uniform can cover it whether it be long sleeve or
short sleeve you will be fine, otherwise, you might want to reconsider
where you place that tattoo.
It's very important to know that you do not need to remove or cover
the tattoo or body art during the application process. You may still go
through the process, however if you are accepted into the academy you
will be required to cover or remove the tattoo or body art at that time.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Monday, August 08, 2011
It’s the beginning of the end. Only seven more weeks left. Our class has
grown even stronger and closer to each other as we made it through
Skills Training. Next stop is Officer Safety training and even more
defense tactics.
“Officer Safety” is serious stuff. The instructors take their jobs
seriously and everything they teach us is pertinent to making sure we
stay alive. Last week we took part in doing fake traffic stops with
fellow cadets or instructors playing the role of traffic violator. The
instructors made sure that we approached the vehicle properly and made
sure we did everything safely. Everything we do is important, including
the words we say and the way we stand. It was really hot, really
serious, but… I really liked it.
On August 5th
one of our instructors “Senior Officer Dickens” retired. He is an
awesome officer and a great teacher. I just wanted to take this
opportunity to wish him good luck in the future and to always remember
where his family is, here at HPD.
We had our seventh primary test a few days ago, I did really well on
it and even better, we only have two primary tests left before we take
our TCLEOSE
exam. As I look ahead on our schedule for the next seven weeks, my
stomach literally twists and turns and my heart races. I’m excited, but
beyond nervous.
Unfortunately, our class is down a cadet. Cadet August got moved
back to 211 because of a broken clavicle. I can honestly tell you that
ALL of Class 210 is upset by this. She is an extremely well liked cadet
with a great personality and we will miss her. We never hesitate to tell
her that she will always be part of Class 210. Luckily, instead of
having just the 66 of us backing her up, she’ll have all of Class 211 to
back her up as well. She will make a great police officer and I can’t
wait to see her on the streets with us.
The next few weeks in the academy we will be taught more “hands on”
and more real life situation tactics as opposed to law blocks and code
of criminal procedure. The instructors tell us that during the next few
weeks, there isn’t
any room for error. Regardless, I’m looking forward to the training in
the next seven weeks, and even more, I’m looking forward to September 27th when we graduate.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Wednesday, August 03, 2011
When the application process opens up again and you get a call to
come in and speak with a recruiter, this is what you DO NOT to wear
during your interview to become a police officer. Remember folks, this
is a JOB INTERVIEW, dress appropriately. I suggest business attire or
business casual.
Senior Officer MIke McCoy - Tuesday, August 02, 2011
What is "Run With Your Recruiter?" Run With Your Recruiter are
planned events in order to assist individuals interested in becoming
Houston police officers. It helps the individual become more aware of
the physical requirements they will have to pass to enter the academy
and to keep those slated for an academy class engaged and interacting
with the department and the recruiting unit while they wait for the
academy class to start. It consists of smaller gatherings each week in a
local park where recruiters and interested individuals do a 1.5 mile
run, push-ups, and one other activity on the PT test required to enter
the academy. A larger event will be completed once a month where participants can do the entire PT test and have access to more information about the recruiting process and HPD in general.
Keep an eye on the blog for event dates in the future. You may also receive information directly to your phone by following us on twitter at www.twitter.com/houstonpolice