Gunthr!

[Tarmac]

Originally posted by Gunthr
Apparently, affirmative action has so many emotionally charged connotations, that politicians don't like to use the term.

However, I'm not so encumbered. In fact, I hate affirmative action. I'm not afraid to call it racial discrimination.  

I am a victim of affirmative action. I took the written civil service test in 1972 in the city of Detroit, Michigan for the position of Deputy Sheriff. I scored number 05, out of over 2,000 applicants. I completed the physical agility tests and oral boards flawlessly. I needed that job so bad. I barely kept body and soul together waiting and waiting while being laid off from a job. It was so hard waiting, and I got divorced from my first wife during this time.

I was not hired for two years. There were some 40 or 50 black females hired ahead of me, as deputies. As it turned out, several of them had already been fired for such things as Cowardice, Repeated failure to meet standards at the gun range, and I don't know what all else. When I qualified at the gun range, one of those black females was still there still trying to qualify (with her attorney present if you can believe that) and suing the department for her job on a racial basis.

I'm  not a racist man. One of my best childhood friends, who is still a Deputy back there in Detroit to this very day, is married to a black women who was a vice cop when they got married. They have 5 children last time we spoke. She is a very good cook and a beautiful person.

I just want to get on record. Affirmative action is a vile thing.

Didn't want to hijack your Affirmative Action thread, so figured I'd start a new one.  

I'm a junior in college, expecting a criminal justice degree in a year.  You mentioned you're from the Detroit area, and now your profile says you work in Florida.  I'm looking at local law enforcement in Michigan.  Oddly enough, we had a few Ft. Lauderdale officers up here recruiting a few months ago.  While I didn't get to talk to them, they got me interested in moving someplace warm... like Ft. Lauderdale.  

What's your experience with local law enforcement in MI and FL?  Any departments that stand out in your mind?  Any to avoid?  How does MI compare to Florida from a cop's perspective?  Any particular reason you went with a sheriff's dept. over a municipal one?

Hope you don't mind me asking such personal questions.  Trying to make sure I start my career in the right place.  Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.  

Email works too, if you'd prefer.

[Gunthr]

Hello Tarmac,
Sure, email is good: srg2000@bellsouth.net

I will tell you that police work in Michigan and Florida are different in several ways. There are constants of course, but the population in Michigan tends to be much more homogenious - more alike politically, ethically, religieously etc than Florida.

I never had exposure to any Haitians, Jews, Cubans, Columbians, French, Crackers, New Yorkers, Bahamians, Jamaicans  and so on until I came down here.

It is easier to get hired as a police officer in Florida, because most areas are still growing, while most areas in Metro Detroit have reached build out.  My agency is hiring and the window for applicaitions might still be open.  I oversee the Background Investigations of applicants as part of my job.  

The main hurdles are your criminal record, your drug usage, your driving record, past employement as far as it relates to your work ethic, and education. You will have to take a day long psych test, a polygraph or voice stress analysis and pass a medical exam.

Most departments will require a 2 year degree, or police related experience. Bilingual is a big plus, especially Spanish and Portugese.

I can give you some tips on how to pass psych tests too.

[Curval]

Originally posted by Gunthr
The main hurdles are your criminal record, your drug usage, your driving record, past employement as far as it relates to your work ethic, and education.

He has a crimminal record, uses drugs, drives badly, get fired alot due to laziness and a bad education.  

He will fit right in down there...once Gunthr helps him cheat on the psych test.

Damn I'm glad I don't live in Florida.

[Tarmac]

I turned on the email feature in my BB profile.  Sorry, didn't know it was off.  

You might want to edit your email addy out of your post (i've got it now) before the spambots get it.  

Email on the way shortly.  Thanks.

[Tarmac]

And yeah, Curval hit the nail right on the head there.  I've had trouble holding a job because my driver's licence keeps getting suspended because I keep getting pulled over for reckless driving with large bags of drugs in my car.  And that darn "have you ever been convicted of a felony" question on the job apps is a real pain in the butt.  Oh yeah, and I was home schooled by hippie high-school dropouts who live in a 200 year old redwood tree.  

They won't hold that against me, will they?

[Tarmac]

Email OTW.

[Gunthr]

Curval,

I do coach individuals who will soon take the psych test, if they otherwise pass the drug screen, the polygraph, the extensive research into their personal history, including credit checks, employement, military record, driving record, education and so on. It is part of my job.

For your information,  Head Administrators rely on these extensive psych tests for liability purposes. Over time, these tests have become a new industry, administered by psychologists, with performance reviews in the courtroom,  critiqued through rigorous examination by attorneys.

The reality of the psych testing in South Florida is that is erratic in its results; an applicant can fail miserably a psych test for City A, and pass with flying colors in City B - 6 weeks later.

Additionally, I can tell you that we know very well how to put stress on applicants, and we are quite experienced in judging people.  But the day-long psych tests are not only more intimidating than most Americans will ever have to face in getting a job, especially after making it through the previous gauntlet of requirements and coming out clean, I have reason to believe that the methodology is questionable in some cases. Psych tests do have utility for us, but they are not the be all/end all.

I would give you the same tips that I give everyone else who faces that psych test, and I assure you I am not cheating or breaking any laws. You may email me for information on how contact my agency to complain about this, if you wish.  ( I'll make sure your complaint gets to the right place )

I take the time to explain this to you because others may be interested as well.

PS: Curval, you dog, I just noticed the

[Curval]

Gunthr...I added the on my edit as I was honestly just kidding and when I read it again I realised you might take offense where none was intended.

You guys have the toughest job in the world.