Can your academy transfer over to Florida's academies? If so, that 2 week course might just be a refresh to make sure you are up to date on laws, and bring you up to speed on FL law. Some of those departments (I don't know for sure) might put you through the academy no matter what, but some might take you just because you already have experience and have gone through the academy.

I look forward to seeing your posts.

DT

Thanks for the response, after doing a little more research it looks like I'm screwed no matter what!! The requirements for the EOT course is that you have to be employed full-time for 1 year. I have been working part-time for about 2 years and worked full-time for 3 months at another department last summer (long story). So it doesn't look like I am going to meet the requirements for the EOT course, but my next question is do I have any other options so that I wouldn't have to go through another academy again??!! I completed my OH academy less than 3 years ago if that helps. And all of this might not even matter if the departments I am looking at are going to require me to attend their academy anyway, do most of the larger departments in FL require you to attend their academy (which is the case in Ohio)? I actually had a conditional offer from Cleveland PD but turned it down because I didn't want to go throught the academy again (and they have a residency requirement, and trust me you don't want to live in Cleveland unless your downtown).

My guess (not 100%) is that most larger departments are going to put you through their academy no matter what! It doesn't look like you qualify for the EOT course.

It might be good to go through another academy though before you get on the streets as an officer in a larger city and another STATE. The laws are going to be different (I live in WI and am applying to TX departments the penal code is 100% different) and going through another academy might help you learn those laws quicker as well as meeting and getting to know the officers you will be backing up in the field.

Yeah, your definitely right, just wanted to save myself some time, but there's no doubt that I would benefit from going to another academy anyway. Anyway, I talked to someone at one of the colleges that puts on the EOT course and I do not qualify and I would have to go through the academy anyway. My next step is calling a few different recruiters in areas I am interested in and see where it goes from there. My main concern though was that some of these departments state that they require a valid FL certificate and license, but I'm sure they make accommodations for out of state candidates. Thanks again for the help!

FL certificate and license...do you know if they issue those after graduating the academy? I know WI, if you put yourself through, you are "certifiable" you are not a police officer yet, however, when you get hired at a PD, you get your "certificate." I don't know if FL is the same way or not, which I could be more help!