The South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence invites all females interested in joining STC’s Police Academy to receive free training for the physical entry exam.
From now through the end of June, STC’s Law Enforcement Instructor Jennifer Rosillo is welcoming all women interested in becoming a peace officer for weekly exercise and equipment training. This will help potential applicants become familiar with the requirements of the academy’s physical entry exam.
“We know the physical portion of the entry exam can be intimidating, but everybody is welcome to stop by and experience the activities we do in the academy,” said Rosillo. “I design my workout sessions according to each individual’s needs; we’re here to help people meet their goals.”
STC offers a 22-week full-time Police Academy and a part-time Academy completed in two semesters and a 12-week minimester.
To enroll in the academy, applicants must pass a polygraph examination, submit fingerprints and pass a physical agility test. The test consists of rowing 2,000 meters with a time frame calculated based on age and weight.
“I use the rowing machine in every single one of my workouts because most agencies also require a rowing test for their entry exam. As an instructor, I try to implement it as much as I can to help my students get hired by the time they graduate,” said Rosillo.
Achieving Fitness Goals
With almost 10 years of law enforcement experience, one of Rosillo’s most important career goals is to encourage and help as many women as she can to join the force. She continuously advices her female students to focus on upper body strength. She prioritizes exercises such as burpees or pull-ups when training women.
“It’s really important to be physically fit, but especially for women. I can’t stress enough how important it is for female officers to have upper body strength because we might have to encounter somebody that’s bigger than us and we can’t let that stop us,” she said.
STC’s Police Academy requires 31 hours of physical activity. Rosillo finds that group workouts and changing up exercises in every session are powerful ways to motivate her students.
“Some of the cadets start the program with no workout experience or suffer from past injuries that restrict them from doing certain exercises, but I work with them to find what fits them,” she said. “Being physically fit is a process, it’s not going to happen overnight, but the more they practice, the better they’re going to become at it.”
Nicole Gonzalez, who has recently visited the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence to train with Rosillo, is currently in the process of applying to the police academy.
“I love the workouts; I’ve always been interested in the rowing machine that’s in my gym, but I was a bit afraid to use it. Instructor Rosillo has taught me so much in just a couple of weeks and now I know how to make the best out of my workouts,” said Gonzalez. “I have always wanted to apply to the academy to become a police officer, but I didn’t know how to start, now I’m on my way.”
STC is now accepting applications through May 29 for the 32nd Police Academy that will begin July 10.