Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]



Welcome to Two Worlds Collide.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. Two Worlds Collide is a growing community for fans of Sam Swarek and Andy McNally as a couple on the popular show - Rookie Blue.

Joining our community will enable you to have lively discussions with fellow members, read the latest spoilers, watch any of the episodes you might have missed and more!

Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. We look forward to you joining our community!

Join our community!

Board Rules:

1) Treat others as you’d like to be treated.

2) Do not post slanderous or other untrue statements about anyone.

3) Respect everyone's comments.

4) Respect the moderators and site admin.

5) Respect Others’ Copyrights.

6) No SHOUTING if angry. It's just plain rude and annoying. Typing in ALL CAPS or all in bold may result in your post being edited or deleted. Same applies for AlTeRnAcApS.

7) Don’t spam.

8) Tone down the vulgarity if needed.

9) Cite your sources, give credit where credit is due.

10) When unsure - ask either a Moderator or Administrator.

11) Be extra cautious when speaking of spoilers outside the threads in which they originate. Use Spoiler Tags.

12) Put a warning comment outside the spoiler tags warning people what source is being discussed.

By registering and posting on this site, you have agreed to abide by these rules. Violating these rules puts you at risk of receiving a warning, a suspension or if the situation is severe enough, a permanent ban. These rules are subject to modification and additions.



Username:   Password:
Multiquote Active Multiquote inactive
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5
Crowd Sourcing Your FanFic Writing Issues; A place to tap the groups collective wisdom for questions that come up in writing fanfiction
Topic Started: Jul 8 2012, 06:49 PM (5,035 Views)
Cythy
Member Avatar
Moderator

Just checked and she's showing up now!


Spread the word people (hint hint to those of you who are currently writing on ff.net)
Posted Image
Catch you on the flip side
Check me out: ff.net ; livejournal
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cythy
Member Avatar
Moderator

I had a conversation with the wife of a cop and I wanted to put this out there for all writers (and readers) to think about.

In many fictions (I'm just as guilty as everyone else), authors talk about how Sam tells Andy that he's not going to go undercover now because he has something to stay for.

I get that in 2.01 he said "you" but that was before they were together and in a way, he probably wanted to see if they could have a future.

When talking to this woman, she mentioned undercover. I asked her about it - they have young children - and she told me that there are two factors that are important - 1) the money is good and 2) "sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder"

She said that she totally supports her husband going under.


This made me start thinking - if he knows that Andy is going to be there for him when he comes back, is Sam really going to give up undercover? He's really good at his job. I'm not saying that Andy would have no say in it, I'm just wondering what others think Sam would do. (I'm not trying to say that Andy is not good at undercover, but based on her personality from what I've seen, I don't think she would leave her family - especially once they have children - for months at a time.)

Thoughts?
Posted Image
Catch you on the flip side
Check me out: ff.net ; livejournal
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
LAwoman
Member Avatar
Moderator

If we're bringing in realism, I just think Sam has gone under and gotten burned by people who are too well connected in the criminal world to do it again. Between Hill and Brennan, there's too much risk, IMO.

But about your question, once they are truly solid, it would be possible to be a couple who's just cool with it and find it a way to keep the passion hot....except I think the two of them are so damaged and will be so grateful once they find a way to make things work together that they just won't want a break from that the way some people do.

There's a part of my mind that COULD envision Sam still having a restless soul, and Andy being resilient enough to deal with separation once she's truly believes deep down that she's not being abandoned. But I think Sam nearing the age where you're not really cut out for UC and kids coming along would also be a factor that would make that not be the case.
Posted Image
Avitar and banner artwork courtesy of the very talented Kazza169 and @Suzsx from twitter...Thanks ladies!!!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cythy
Member Avatar
Moderator

I wasn't asking like that - it was more of "if Sam is asked and they discuss it, do you think they would agree that he should go" - I get what you're saying about Brennan and Hill but there are other areas they can send him to and money could be a factor...this is so frustrating! (and TBH, I really don't have time to write what's on my mind right now anyway)
Posted Image
Catch you on the flip side
Check me out: ff.net ; livejournal
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
StarryDreamer
Member Avatar
Celery Stalker

Just a side story I thought I'd share, that might in the end spark a fic idea in someone.

While at a Toronto courthouse I met a cop who worked the undercover drug circuit. He was called to the stand to shed light on drug language. To look at him, he was short in stature (maybe 5'5 at most) and was wearing a suit/tie. He, at that moment that I was talking to him, was still an undercover drug runner for the Toronto police. He said that they only ever called him in to testify if they were desperate for his knowledge. They usually don't make him "play cop" because word gets out and his cover is blown. But technically, in front of that public court room, he was a cop testifying and would later go home and continue being undercover drug guy who busted big Toronto gangs.

Upon reflection I remember thinking that in the suit/tie he looked like a cop. But strip away the suit & tie, put an earring in his ear, muss up his hair and put on gross clothes and he'd totally look like a street urchin. If I saw him on the street, I'm not sure if I would've ever guessed he was a cop. Maybe it was in part because he was so short, maybe it was because behind the courtroom gloss there was a bit of edge to his look.

Now, getting back to the original discussion, I wonder if this guy could live a fairly regular life. Maybe he does go home to a girlfriend? (this guy was like 25-28 years old max) Maybe he goes home to his gf looking like a scuzzy dealer and has a "fake life" that the drug guys buy in to? Maybe he's so believable they just don't care to check up on him? These guys that he was testifying against were BIG SCARY DUDES. I'm impressed that he was confident he could go back out on the streets pretty easily. I guess he's just that good at blending in.

I wonder if the same couldn't be true for Sam? Granted he has the added issue of potentially dating a cop. But maybe that's part of his story? "My girl is a cop, she's real dumb and doesn't notice that I do this on the side..."
Edited by StarryDreamer, Feb 11 2014, 10:51 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pippeloen


I'm writing a fic right now and it made me wonder about the Canadian school system.I'm from the Netherlands and I think our school system here is very different. I'm trying to keep it realistic, but when I started googling I found so much information that I couldn't oversee it anymore.

If someone would go to college before joining the academy, would they need to pick a specific program and what options are there? How old are people in general when they finish the academy?

What I was also wondering (not specifically for this fic, but more in general) How many months/years are future cops in the academy? I read somewhere that it was six months, but I thought that was too little. Could be wrong of course.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mahtra
Member Avatar


First of all thank you for your new fic. It was long-awaited!
I am not from North America, but Chris said in 1x01 that he spent 3 months in the academy preparing. So their actual training would have been even shorter than what your original information said.
And regarding secondary education, I think there was some more information on the website of the Ontario Police College, but I couldn't find that bookmark anymore. So I hope this will help at least: Constable Selection.
Edited by mahtra, Feb 17 2014, 09:32 PM.
"Tolerance is the suspicion that the other person just might be right." Kurt Tucholsky
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pippeloen


mahtra
Feb 17 2014, 09:29 PM
First of all thank you for your new fic. It was long-awaited!
I am not from North America, but Chris said in 1x01 that he spent 3 months in the academy preparing. So their actual training would have been even shorter than what your original information said.
And regarding secondary education, I think there was some more information on the website of the Ontario Police College, but I couldn't find that bookmark anymore. So I hope this will help at least: Constable Selection.
I wanted to write a new multi chapter for a while, but just didn't have any ideas. Hope this one will work out.

Three months seem so short to me! I think I would need years before I would feel confident enough to go out on the streets..

Thanks for your information. Will read it!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
StarryDreamer
Member Avatar
Celery Stalker

Pippeloen
Feb 17 2014, 08:56 PM
I'm writing a fic right now and it made me wonder about the Canadian school system.I'm from the Netherlands and I think our school system here is very different. I'm trying to keep it realistic, but when I started googling I found so much information that I couldn't oversee it anymore.

If someone would go to college before joining the academy, would they need to pick a specific program and what options are there? How old are people in general when they finish the academy?

What I was also wondering (not specifically for this fic, but more in general) How many months/years are future cops in the academy? I read somewhere that it was six months, but I thought that was too little. Could be wrong of course.
There are few options available to you, if you're looking to become a police officer. (I think I've answered this in the Ask a Canadian thread, but I'll do so again here in case not)

1) Following high school graduation, you go to university (we differ between university and college, university generally requires a higher entrance average and is typically 3-4 years, while college is usually only 2 years). In university you study whatever you want. A lot of cops will study criminology, but according to an officer I spoke to, he said that everyone gets that degree so it doesn't separate you from the pack. If you have a degree in chemistry, let's say, you are an asset because the TPS might use you for forensics or whatever.

2) Following high school graduation, you go to college. You could take the police foundations at a particular college. This is usually a 2 year program and teaches you how to be a police officer. You don't *need* this program to become a cop, but it gives you an edge. But just like with university you could study anything you wanted-- business, culinary arts, electrical, etc. If you're planning on applying to Peel Region police force, you have to take their police foundations program, period. You can't apply to Peel Region without it.

3) Following high school graduation, you apply to OACP program directly. This is the most unlikeliest of all. While not impossible to happen, it's just that they probably wouldn't accept you because you lack "life experiences" or whatever.

Most do college or university, then apply to OACP. OACP is basically a training camp for like 6 months, I think? (I'm almost certain, if that's what you read, then it's correct) They go to the middle of nowhere Ontario and train to be a cop. They learn how to drive a police car, how to handcuff, how to use a weapon, etc. You essentially live at this training camp. If you manage to get through that, you are issued a certificate. You then take that certificate and apply to where ever you want in Ontario (with the exception of Peel Region-- again, with PR you HAVE to do their course, OACP is just an added bonus, but means nothing to their acceptance program) It's a hard program to survive because of the fitness requirements, but if you do, you're golden.

If you're hired to a police force you spend 5 years as a "rookie" moving up the ranks. I think your first year is spent with a T.O. But I can't remember off hand. It may be more.

So basically the answer varies.

We graduate high school at 17/18 (in June). If you go immediately to college, then straight into OACP, you're probably 21/22. If you go immediately to university, then straight into OACP, you're probably 24/25. Most take a year off between college/university and OACP because they want to get service hours to appear more impressive or to build up their fitness strength.

If we're talking RB characters, I would think Andy went to university, Sam to college.

Here's TPS's requirements

Quote:
 
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
Be at least 18 years of age,
Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to your own safety and the safety of members of the public,
Have successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent. (Note: Official transcripts and diplomas will be required). Where education has been completed outside Ontario, official proof of equivalency must be obtained,
Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity.
In addition, you must:

Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted,
Possess a valid driver's licence with no more than six accumulated demerit points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges,
Have current certification in CPR and first aid by the time the offer of employment is given,
Possess a valid O.A.C.P. (Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate) certificate,
Have a minimum of 20/40 (uncorrected) vision, with normal colour acuity,
Successfully pass the hearing standards as outlined by the O.A.C.P.,
Be able to pass a security clearance as well as a background investigation, credit and reference checks.
Edited by StarryDreamer, Feb 17 2014, 11:53 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cythy
Member Avatar
Moderator

Just to add a little bit of information if you're thinking about including the training in your story - where I live the background check includes a lot of extensive testing - like the polygraph, stamina testing, and written "what would you do" scenarios before you even start the training. You might want to explore that a little as well. Where I live (because a friend's husband was just accepted into the academy), the process from the start (applying) to getting into the academy can take around 4 months. I'm not sure if it is exactly the same in Canada but I imagine that you can't just decide "I'm going to be a cop" and start training the next day.
Posted Image
Catch you on the flip side
Check me out: ff.net ; livejournal
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pippeloen


Thank you all for the answers.
I can work with this.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
angelflower28
Member Avatar


I cannot wait Pippeloen. I think I have read your stories like a million times, especially Coming Back, Miracle, and There's More. YAY!!!
"I am a McSwarek Shipper, and nothing will sink this boat"
"When Andy's in danger, Swarek brings sexy back"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
StarryDreamer
Member Avatar
Celery Stalker

Quote:
 
I'm not sure if it is exactly the same in Canada but I imagine that you can't just decide "I'm going to be a cop" and start training the next day


The background check includes calling up character references and they ask you for all the passwords to your social media and email accounts.

I was told that this happens AFTER OCAP training when you apply to TPS (or whatever region you're looking at applying to). Once you apply you essentially give blessings for them to pull out all the skeletons in your closet.
Edited by StarryDreamer, Feb 18 2014, 04:35 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ParadoxLost


Was writing a chapter based on Honor Role and I have a question. What's the deal with Dov bringing Jerry a lemon drop (alcohol version, not candy)? Is that Jerry's drink? A running joke? Jerry had ordered a beer for himself. It struck me funny.
"It all makes so much sense, when you think about it like a crazy person" - Drunk History
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
StarryDreamer
Member Avatar
Celery Stalker

In case anyone still had any questions about recruitment, the YRP (Toronto adjacent police department) is having a twitter Q&A tomorrow (Wednesday). The answers to their questions would be (largely or wholly) the same for Toronto.

Quote:
 
Know someone who is interested in a policing career with York Regional Police? Our recruiters will be manning our @YRP Twitter account tomorrow night starting at 7 p.m. to answer questions about the application process, the training and the realities of life as a police officer! If you aren't already on Twitter, what are you waiting for? Tune in to ‪#‎AskYRPRecruiting‬ tomorrow night!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Writer's Studio · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5


Skin orginally created by Tariq | Converted by Lewis of the ZetaBoard Theme Zone