Hello Again

[midcoaster]

Hello,
It has been a long time since I last posted here. I have relocated to Delaware after working in Maine as a reserve police officer.

I am currently looking for a full time position here and I would appreciate any information regarding law enforcement hiring in Delaware. I feel as though I am starting from square one here, having learned the ins and outs of LE hiring in Maine. I have been told that it is political here, and being from out of state is going to make it difficult for me to find a job as a police officer here. I am located in Kent Co.

I would also like to know if the state of Delaware has standardized physical agility requirements, or does each department do their own thing? And last but not least.......Is the academy residential for municipal police? I have read that it is residential for state police and that it just went from 22 to 24 weeks.

I would really appreciate any information that anyone can give me.

Thanks in advance,
Lisa

[lich]

Hey, I thought I was the only one from Delaware here. I've been in the game a while, so I'll try to tell you what I know.

I'm from New Castle County, so I can only speak to the municipalities here. The Delaware State Police holds non-residential training for municipal departments. One such academy was set to be sixteen weeks or so, if I remember correctly. The troopers spend about six months in training there, and live in for the duration.

Each department tends to have its own physical standards. The majority of departments often come close to mirroring the DSP's standards, which includes physical condition testing (running, pushups, situps, flexibility). Of course, there are some exceptions.

For example, the New Castle County Police department has a differnt test instead of running. Applicants are hooked up to a treadmill and have their cardiovascular capacity tested at increasing speeds and inclines. Then there are pushups and situps tests, and a body fat measurment is made. The standards for a female aged 30-39 are 13:00 on the treadmill, 21 pushups, 27 situps, and 24.9% body fat. (In case anyone is wondering, I have the standards posted on my wall for motivation.)

I'm not sure how political the process is. Preference may be given to Delaware residents versus applicants who reside out of state prior to applying, but I've never been asked how long I've been a resident in any of my applications or interviews.

I hope this helps. If you think I can help with any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Thanks]

Hey lich, Thanks for the info.

I had finally figured out the LE situation in Maine and I was relocated to Delaware. My husband was relocated with the Air Force, this is his final duty station, he has four years until retirement. I actually wasn't expecting to relocate again, I had expected that he would be able to extend his recruiting assignment in order to remain in Maine; but the Air Force had other ideas.

I do have one other question that I can think of right now. Do you know if there are any residency requirements in Delaware, regarding living in the county in which you are employed? Would I be able to work in New Castle or Sussex counties, considering that I live in Kent County? I know that it wasn't an issue in Maine.

Thanks again for the info., I really appreciate it.
Lisa

[midcoaster]

OOPS! I forgot to log in for the above post. ;D

[lich]

It's another variable among the departments. Of course, the state police only require residency in the state, but I know the City of Wilmington requires its police officers to reside in the city after appointment to the position.

I can say I haven't known this to be a general rule, so I can't tell you it would be a major impediment.

Out of curiosity, I'd like to know which department(s) you are considering. In Kent County, I am only familiar with the Dover Police Department. You can find them at www.doverpolice.org

Good luck with your search.

[midcoaster]

Thanks again for the info lich.

To answer your question, I have checked out the Dover PD, they seem like a good Dept., have you heard anything about them? Are they difficult to get on with? I will be putting my application in with them, as they always accept applications. I will pretty much be applying with everyone that doesn't require a degree, as I don't have one yet.

I am glad to hear that residency shouldn't present a problem, I was told by someone that it might be, but that didn't sound right to me. I will be testing with the DE DOC on Saturday, I need a job and it will give me more experience. From what I have seen, the DOC is only creating a hiring list, as the State is under a hiring freeze. That will give me time to apply with the PD's here and see what my employment outlook is like here.

How long have you been trying to obtain work in LE? In Maine things seem to go fairly fast, as far as the hiring process goes, especially compared to other states. I am 34, and from what I have read at the Dover PD site, their cut off age is 36. is that a Statewide prerogative or is that just Dover? I would imagine if Dover is using this age cut off, it must have something to do with the State retirement system.


Thanks again for the info.
Have a great day!
Lisa

[lich]

I'm not familiar with the Dover Police. As far as I know, that department and the City of Wilmington don't require an associate's degree or sixty credity hours.

Last year, the DOC had a huge hiring blitz, and I went down to Dover to apply. Many department officers were outside the building protesting the hiring since they felt it was more appropriate to spend the money retaining the current officers and improving their quality of work.

Anyway, I took the test and had an on-the-spot interview. I felt the test was fairly easy and I came close to getting a perfect score. The interviewers were worried I wouldn't be able to handle the job, since it's extremely stressful and flat out dangerous. I didn't tell them about my future aspirations since I did not want them to know I only intended on taking the job for one to two years at the most. Anyway, I got the job offer and later declined it based on my disinterest in the position after the interview. The interview panel pretty effectively steered me away from the job, while telling me I could have it if I wanted it.

I've been actively seeking employment for about two years now. I've applied five times, and been denied five times. I think the age requirments are related to pension issues, and I know they also vary. To use the state police as an example again, the cutoff age is 39 or younger on the first day of the academy.

I hope this helps.

[midcoaster]

Thanks so much for the info., I am completely lost as to how things are done here. I am also ambivalent as to whether I want to take a corrections job or not. I would only be doing it as a means to an end myself. I also feel that if I am not going to find employment as a police officer in the near future here, I will be able to bring in an income, while learning about the other side of law enforcement.

I have already worked as a reserve police officer, so I should hope that they don't think that I can't handle the job. While I am a relatively small person at 5'3" and 125lbs, I make up with attitude, what I lack in size. ;D
I wonder if there will still be the same issues with the current officers feelings regarding new hires; That has to be a difficult environment to work in.

Regarding the DOC hiring process; how do they set it up? Do they administer the written test, then immediately give you an interview? What is the interview like? Any scenario based questions, or is it a low key type interview? I am just wondering how similar it is to the police hiring process. Do they put you through a more extensive hiring process if they decide to accept you after the interview? Any info would be appreciated, as it is always better to go in with fewer unknown factors.

LE hiring seems to be pretty competitive here. Having lived in New Jersey for almost 10 years, I knew that it was competitive there, which is why I didn't want to return there. I am now wondering if it isn't similar here.

Thanks again for you quick reply.
Lisa

[lich]

Your experience as a reserve officer is bound to help in either job pursuit.

I don't know if you will get an immediate interview. I would think not, as when I went it was a job fair which advertised the accelerated hiring process. My interview was really low-key. They asked me why I wanted the job and told me what it would be like. They noted I seemed a bit overqualified (with my college degree versus the required high school diploma/GED). Then they threw me a few curve balls describing just how gritty it can get, maybe to see if I would blink. After that they told me they would recommend my appointment to the position.

I received an information packet to fill out regarding my background investigation and was told to come back in about a week to start the paperwork process. The whole thing was sped up, and I believe those were the last two steps in the hiring process. The training was set to last about two months or so before I would be assigned to my first location.

I'm not sure how competitive it is in New Jersey. I think every department has more qualified applicants than positions available, let alone those who apply and are not qualified. Every department that advertises is flooded with applications, so it always ends up taking longer than it should. You could expect to wait a year or more if the department is not actively recruiting. Depending on the size of the department, new hires may only be brought on in small groups every few years, while some hire large groups every year and some hire officers as needed. The latter group tends to hire those already certified to work as police officers in the state.

I hope this works out well for you.

[midcoaster]

Thanks for all of the info, I sure hope that I can find work as an officer before too long, I really need a job. That is why I am considering going the DOC route for now. At least working DOC would be good experience.

Do you know if they give a choice as to where you are assigned? I'm not sure if I will even test with them if I find picketing officers when I arrive. It's not that I would have a problem crossing a picket line, I just can't imagine that working with these officers would be very pleasant. It's one thing to have to watch your 6 with the inmate population, but unacceptable to have to be concerned about the people you work with. That is a major safety concern if they wont back you up.

Well, hopefully I will get picked up by a PD before too long. From what the job fair announcement said, the DOC is only creating a hiring list, as they are reviewing their staff needs at this time.

Thanks again,
Lisa

[lich]

I had to opportunity to work at either the state prison in Smyrna (it's in New Castle county) or at Gander Hill, which is the jail located in Wilmington.

I would guess you'd get the option of telling them where you would like to work. All state employees must fill out a standard application for the state, which includes the counties in which you are willing to work, with an added option of working exclusively in Wilmington. They would know right away if you wanted to work in Kent. Aside from the two locations I mentioned, I know there is a large prison in Georgetown (Sussex county), as well as numerous smaller institutions including the juvenile facilities, women's correctional centers, and some others I can't recall, all of which are spread throughout the state.

I don't know of any departments which will definitely be hiring this year and do not require a college education. I think you might want to ask around if your reserve experience would be accpetable in lieu of a college degree. I know one department which accepts two years of experience as a Delaware certified police officer in place of a degree. So... maybe something could be worked out there. I'm really not sure about it, but I think it's worth a shot. How long was your service?

[midcoaster]

Lich

My service as a reserve officer was relatively short, I was only hired last June and I worked with the dept. until this March when we relocated to DE. I also have experience working in chemical awareness. I was a volunteer at a chemical awareness center, and became a paid employee at the center after my hours were cut back at the PD, after the busier summer season ended.

I have applied to Milford PD here in Kent Co.; they had advertised an opening, with a closing date for applications of April 30th. I haven't heard anything regarding the timeline of their hiring process yet, but I should hear something soon.

I plan on pursuing my degree, but I am hesitant to obligate myself to classes at this time, when I could end up in the academy if I am hired. I can't obtain the degree before applying, because I am already 34 and I wouldn't have the luxury of attending school full time, as I need to be gainfully employed. My thought process is that if I am not hired by a PD before the DOC can offer me a job; I will just take the corrections position and go to school. I will then continue to apply after I get a few classes under my belt. At the very least, I will be a more competitive candidate when my husband retires in four years, if I don't get hired here. In Maine there is no cut off age and I can go back there.

I see from another post that you are in the process for a 911 dispatch position. That would be an excellent opportunity, as it gives you a chance to get to know the people in the dept., which is very helpful. I had a Sgt. that started out as a dispatcher. I had considered going the dispatch route myself, but my personality is not suited to sitting in one place for hours at a time. I would be climbing the walls. ;D

Good luck with the dispatch job. Thanks again.
Lisa

[midcoaster]

I just wanted to update you on my testing and interview with the DOC. I went to their job fair on Saturday, and took the written test, and passed. I then waited for the interview; I couldn't believe the number of people that showed up in jeans or sweatpants.
On the up side, there were no picketing officers this time. ;D

The interview was done in an oral board format. After the interview, I was told that I would be recommended for employment. I have to bring my background info in on the 20th. I was told that I could expect to be assigned to the Smyrna facility. I don't know how long it will be before my background clears or when they will hold the next academy, so hopefully things will get rolling with the Milford PD pretty soon. I prefer to be on the side of LE that sends em' to jail / prison, but I need to be gainfully employed.

Have a great day!
Lisa

[lich]

Congratulations on your performance. I need to look into that gainfully employed thing. It's been two weeks since I was laid off from my previous job and every day seems worse. Today I'm ready to give up.

[midcoaster]

Hey Lich,

Sorry to hear about your employment situation, I know how you feel. I've been to He** and back in my pursuit of this career and I will do it again if I have to.
Don't give up; things have a way of working out, just as you start to think that they are hopeless.

Here are a couple of motivational passages that have been helpful to me ........



Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're truding seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a person turns about
When they might have won had they stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown!

Success is failure turned inside out!
So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit!
Its when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!

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Attitude
by: Rev. Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.


Good luck and take care,
Lisa