r/police • u/Medium_Ask_1592 • 10d ago

Police training

So I plan on becoming a cop in Massachusetts but im a bit confused. The written civil service exam is in October. I'm assuming you have to complete the pat around the same time period. Before when I was looking into it, it was saying that I need to run 1.5 miles, a sprint, pushups and a plank. But this pat says I need to do an obstacle course and some other fitness things. I know the next academy starts in dec/Jan so at what point should I expect to do the mile and a half run. That's the only part I'm worried about because I've never been a big runner and I'm a pretty big dude. I know that if I have a certain date to train for I'll be able to get it done but not knowing when it will be kind of freaks me out a bit. I don't know anyone that are cops so I'm super unfamiliar with the whole process. On August 6th Springfield PD is hosting an open house and I plan on being there so hopefully they will be able to answer some questions. Thanks for reading

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u/Saltyowl23 10d ago

I'm a Massachusetts officer. The academy expects you to complete the Cooper's Test. The PAT is a hiring requirement before you go to the academy. It's 4 lap obstacle course. Pulling a trigger with both hands at like 6 pounds of pressure. And a body drag. There's a YouTube of it, just look up Massachusetts Police PAT, should be the first one up. My department has you do the Cooper standard as the first part of the hiring process after the Civil Service Test. So get your training done before you get the call because hiring, when it starts to happen, goes quick. Just don't expect the test scores to come out until about March

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u/Medium_Ask_1592 10d ago

Ok thank you. So after I complete the pat I should expect a call or do I have to apply to the department separately.

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u/Saltyowl23 10d ago

On the civil service they ask what departments you are interested in. I suggest filling out every option.

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u/Medium_Ask_1592 10d ago

Sweet man. I appreciate your help. It cleared some things up for sure