Slightly Apprehensive

['Guest']

I am applying with the Metropolitan Police Department of a major city.  I have no previous police training or experience.  They pay a fairly decent salary and offer benefits, beginning the day you start their academy .  (Of course, you have to promise to be their cop for the next 4 years or you have to repay the salary you earned during the academy as well as training expenses).

Anyway, my concern is that while I was having my initial meeting with the Background Investigator and he was giving me the application and various forms to take home and complete, I asked him how long I can expect the application process to take.  He told me that when he applied with the department around 8 years ago the application process took 9 months, however they are currently on a hiring frenzy and they are squeezing the entire process into a week's time.

Should I be very concerned about this?  What do you think is going on "behind the scenes" that would cause this sort of hurried behavior??  Does this sound like a department I should stay away from or does this sound normal?  I will be returning the completed application to the department tomorrow afternoon and would appreciate any feedback I can get.

Thanks!!
---Justin

[JimCMR]

Justin;

The payback of training expenses is becoming normal in many departments, so that is nothing to worry about.

As for the "Hiring frenzy", it could be many things such as, many retirements, a new budget that allows additional cops, a requirement by the Feds to bring on more cops.

You will need to find out the reason before you can make any decision.  As someone who was involved in police hiring, I find it hard to imagine a 1 week hiring process, impossible would be a better word, 3 - 5 months is more the norm in a hiring process.

Good luck.          JimCMR

[Charlie]

Justin--I'm in complete agreement ith Jim's thoughts on this subject. I am a little concerned about how a department can supposedly squeeze in everything in a week's time.   Doing a just a "half-decent" background takes several weeks/a few months if your lucky and find out what you need to know about someone. Especially if that person is from out of the area or out of state.

I think you obviously have to find out some more information about the department in question f you are really concerned about this. I know I would if I were standing in your shoes!  ;D

The so-called "hiring frenzy" could be due to any number of reasons, some Jim CMR has mentioned previously. But this "rush" would concern me if there is any accuracy to what the B.I. told you and if I interpreted your post correctly.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. On the other hand, you may be getting your foot in the door by taking advantage of what sounds like a "unique opportunity." I'd ask some questions for sure. Remember the ole' saying: "haste makes waste." I think one of the worst situations and unsettling feelings one could find themselves in would be silently glancing over at your assigned partner and wondering.....

Food for thought.

Good luck.

Charlie

['Guest']

Thank you guys for the responses!

Well, I returned my application yesterday and the Background Investigator told me that I am scheduled to start my testing on March the 21st.  That is two months from now.  I'm beginning to think that when he said, "We are currently going through a hiring frenzy and are squeezing the application process into a week's time" that he was simply talking about the testing.  Perhaps they will be administering the written, oral, physical and psychological tests all in the same week.  This is the only thing I can imagine he meant now.

He also mentioned that they have 4 seperate academy classes taking place at the same time right now and are currently trying to scrounge up a fifth.  (The one in which I would be included.)  "This", he said, "isn't the norm."

The reasons you guys gave for the "hiring frenzy" make perfect sense.  I happen to believe it is a mix of one of those reasons along with the fact that they probably are having a hard time keeping officers around.  I don't know anything for sure, but maybe a lot of the officers get out of there as soon as they complete their four-year minimum.  <br>
This is an extremely dangerous city.  There is a friend of mine in his fourties who is an Army Green Beret Officer.  He has also been a Police Officer in and around this city for the last 20 years.  He told me that other Officers he knows absolutely dread working in this city (especially at night) and many try to work for the surrounding counties instead.  According to him, Officers in this city constantly get shot at (individually).  It's almost an everyday occurance.  Many are injured, but not killed.

Who knows, he may be exaggerating.  Maybe not.  If he's telling the truth, maybe that would have something to do with the "hiring frenzy".  Perhaps it's been four years since the last big recruiting effort and now most of those officers they recruited and trained four years ago are getting out now that they've completed their four-year minimum...and going to work for other agencies in the area.

...or maybe it's not the violence, but something such as sickening politics and/or very abrasive management??..

If this is what's going on, do you think the Background Investigator would be totally up-front with me if I asked him?  I mean, if they are desperately in need of more Officers, do you think he won't be totally honest with me as not to risk "scaring me off"??

Let me know what you guys think.  You both are a big help.

Thanks!
---Justin

[Charlie]

Justin--Who knows if he/she would be totally honest with you about what to really expect out there. Remember, their job is to get people hired.

On a personal note, it's no wonder that most departments are having difficulty in recruiting, hiring and retaining officers. I love the profession but I think primarily due to the politics of "political correctness," the lack of support of PD's by the public, media bashing of PD's, the witch hunts some PD's frequently experience by so-called do-gooders and community activists, the frivilous lawsuits and accusations cops are easily subjected to, etc. (Need I go on?)   >:(That a lot of veteran cops are saying, "The hell with this! The city can burn to the ground!"   Of course, prospective applicants are having second thoughts too.

Personally I am amazed at how some large well known departments (and their city government) are so puzzeled and scatching their heads wondering WHY they are having a problem with shrinking academy classes and WHY they can't get no one to work for their departments..... Gee, I wonder why??? Anyone with half a brain is going to have second thoughts about it. WHY do you think some departments, such as the one your looking at, REQUIRE a 4-year committment?   Could it be that their cops are forced to work under nearly impossible or insane conditions?

I think the LE profession is one of the most awesome professions there is. I love the profession! It's a unique & proud family and nothing comes close! I don't meant to sound negative and my intention is NOT to discourage anyone from getting into the profession. But I think people who are looking at starting a career in the LE field need to have all the information they can to make an intelligent decision about what they want to do. The reality is, it is a mine field these days just to be a cop. Pick up the paper most any day and look at what they're up against. How cops are expected to perform their jobs under often nearly impossible conditions, policies, political correctness, filing out mountains of paperwork, etc.

AND, what's most disturbing is, (in my opinion)....the danger is NOT in the street that worries cops.....there are risks but not so much from the bad guys out there.

I am hopeful that things are changing for the better but educate yourself about what's going on. Do the ride-a-longs. Talk to some cops you know on the force if at all possible. Find out all you can and make an intelligent decision about whether or not you're willing to accept all the risks associated with the profession. It's a pretty tall order to fill and accept! ;D

And finally, IF you do get on board with ANY department, folks I highly recommend you have some means of having an attorney available to you that knows how to defend cops. These days, you really cannot afford to be without that "safety net."

Best of luck to you (and anyone else out there!)

Charlie

[JimCMR]

Well; as usual Charlie had a lot to say, and the words are RIGHT ON.

The advise about having an attorney who knows how to defend cops is one of the best suggestions heard here in many months.

I met one of the best in Illinois back in 1982 when I was attending the Illinois State Police Academy, and remembered him when I became a Police Commissioner, and retained him to represent my Commission.

A specialist is needed in this field, and there are very few that know the field, so do the research, and find the right one.  Many provided by the Fraternal organizations are not too good, so don't feel you are protected by being a member.

JimCMR

['Guest']

Thank you for all of the advice.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone that works (or HAS worked) for this agency personally, except for the Army Green Beret Officer I know, but as you can imagine, he's a little busy right now.

I guess I should try their ride-a-long program, but I'm not sure how much I'd really find out with that alone.  I almost have the attitude of wanting to give it a try and if it's crappy working for that agency, I'll only have to do it for 4 years.  Then I will have training and experience and should be able to work for most agencies in the area.

Also, I really don't think I would be able to afford an attorney.  Most attornies I know require payments up front for their work and that's money I just don't have.  What are some of the most common dangers I would risk by not having an attorney?

Thanks,
---Justin

[[e-mail]]

Justin - I think you are lucky to have it move so quickly! I first applied to the city PD here in Columbus last March, we didn't have the testing until the end of October, and then had to wait until the last day of the year to get the results. It is almost an entire year later and I still don't have a clue if I will be going to an academy or if I should sign up at the local cummunity college and take courses on my own! It's horrible to wait so long in suspense, I tell you. Although each individual person's testing was done on the same day, which was nice.
The part that is good I suppose is that the long waiting will weed out those who aren't 100% sure that LE is the career path they want to take. But for me the waiting is the hardest part.

[Charlie]

Justin--Do the ride-a-long and I bet you'll get some inside scoop about how things really are in the PD. Some cops are more suspicious of "outisders" than others but I think once the barriers some down a little and they figure you're an OK person, they might give you some idea about what it's all about. Obviously, ask some questions.....

>>Also, I really don't think I would be able to afford an attorney.  Most attornies I know require payments up front for their work and that's money I just don't have.  What are some of the most common dangers I would risk by not having an attorney?<<

Typically, most cops join an association for the FOP lodges. But as Jim mentioned, SOME FOP attorneys may not be the best available for cops. BUT, aside from that issue, most associations usually have attorney's on retainer. The association pays for it from membership dues paid by the cops. Probably monthly dues are paid by officers. Some may have a different arrangement. On the other hand, like myself for example, I use Pre-Paid Legal Services. I pay a reasonable monthly fee and am on a LE plan.

Why do you need an attorney???   hehehehe.....there are a LOT of possibilities!!!  ;D For example, what if you have someone die on you while in custody? OR, you find yourself involved in a critical incident where you use force or deadly force and the dirt bag or his family decide to sue you and the department?   Then what do you do? Do you think some shyster "ambulance chasing" lawyer that you see advertised on TV or on the back of a city bus advertisement knows how to defend you? My friend, if you find yourself knee deep in doo-doo after being involved in something while you're a cop, calling the lawyer that chases ambulances is not the lawyer you need!  ;D

We live in a very litigious society. Cops and their cities, counties or states find themselves often victim to being sued. (And sometimes, like like it or not, some government entities are sued justifiably in some circumstances). Personally, (Knock on wood) I have not had the personal pleasure of being sued yet....... but I think I am better prepared to deal with it should I find myself in a legal bind. 8)

Again, I don't care WHO you end up working for, your REALLY cannot afford to be without some form of legal representation being available to you. Don't wait till you're in a bad position to really start thinking about it!  

Charlie

['Guest']

I will check into the Ride-A-Long program that is offered by this agency.  Actually, I'm not even sure if they have one, but since this is a major city the probability is that they do.

I will definitely take your advice about the attorney.  I will try to call the agency later this week, ask for a recruiter and question them concerning any available Ride-A-Long program they may offer as well as FOP Attorney services.  I will find out if there is a program I can join after becoming an officer that requires a reasonable monthly fee for legal defense should I need it.

Thank you for all of your help!!
---Justin