Chad, It's funny how the continueing education courses workout or the timeframe they fall into. I had taken 8hrs just after graduating but they got lost 'in the mix' by TCLEOSE so I still have 32hrs remaining (after taking 3182 in Oct 2011) so I became concerned with my personal timeframe. I have recently learned that I have until 8/31/2013 to complete my remaining 32hrs! After leaving my last commision and with all the turn downs I had recieved from other depts in the county because of the sheriff I became very frustrated. I spoke with another agency today concerning a D/O position and was asked about my F5 and hearing their response I have decided not to just laydown and let that 'guy' ruin my career before it has even started. I am appealing that F5 again as the information I first recieved was wrong.
Fight It. That F5 will haunt you otherwise. You may have to "settle" with an agency to establish a good record again. Just keep pushing. When October come and new fiscal years begin, people will be hiring. SAPD is 300 short and their last class only had 15 cadets. It's crazy.
I'm willing to move to SA (or anywhere) and your support throughout the process would be great! I will do whatever it takes so I can clear my name even if it takes another move. Send me some info from your dept and maybe next week an interview can be arranged. Thanks Chad, Gregg
Man I am getting tired of filling out these LONG and drawn out applications! I am applying with Galveston County and they require a "sealed envelope" of your highschool transcript "mailed to you from the ISD" aswell as a "certified copy" of your birth certificate instead of copy. Anyone knows that with your DL#/SS#/PID# they can verify all info so I'm at a loss. A fellow co-worker/deputy of mine from Marlin started work with UH about one month ago so atleast I still have options and his support but I'm getting very frustrated. Law enforcement is one of the most rewarding careers but one of the most rediculous in terms of everything they require. Venting! Now I must delay my armed security class (immediate employment) for another week so I can gather said records so I can meet the deadline for applications which is 5-1-2012.
I had to do the same for my agency. It'll be worth it in the end. We'll have an opening in two months as well as another two openings by the end of the year. SAPD is still hiring and also advertising a 3 week process time. Ive been thinking of DPS too.....move up in levels. I love my agency, but so much community stuff i want to do that they don't have the resources for, even with what i do on my own dime and time.
I spoke with one of the recruiters at GCSO yesterday for a good 20min's and recieved some positive support but I am not counting on just one dept like I did with Stafford. I will have 3 applications out come friday. After some soul searching I want to stay close to Houston as my mom and dad are not getting any younger and I'm a city boy, but.............
Funny happenings over the last 24hrs. I have a friend in Adelaide (also one in Perth) and we were talking about whats happening in our lives and they both mentioned the need for law enforcement 'down under'. One mate has a sister in-law who is an officer in Adelaide and he is helping me. He mentioned that there are alot of officers (displaced if I may) from the UK and various other parts of the world "down under" and that I might be able to attain a position there! Having no children or wife (boss) I think I will persue this opportunity, who knows! My friend in Perth (who I was in Russia with) lives only a few blocks from the beach. I am not putting all my egg's in one basket but I am persueing all opportunities. A TOTAL relocation, while I'm still young and sassy, could be great for the soul and mind.
A man has to do what a man has to do . I'm still getting a finger up the...in Texas. I had an invite to move to Australia in '98 but (looking back) used the excuse "I have too much at home" and was also offered a job in Amsterdam in '98 but used the same lame excuse. My brother only lives 1hr away and could finally take some responsibilty, he visits our mother once a year and thats sad, he has not called me in over a year. There is no certainty that I will be offered a position in Australia but I am the only person in my family to voluntarily explore the rest of what the world has to offer. Please don't LOL at me for persueing other opportunities, I thought we were closer than that?
Ya know life works in mysterious ways! When I was a bailiff I worked with a great attorney who I secretly knew was going to run for County DA (we had discussed it on the 'downlow') and this subject appeared on my FB homepage which I very seldom check but I am glad I did today. I called one of my dearest friends in the county for more info and recieved info as to who is running for sheriff, I know both candidates personaly aswell. Both candidates are former employee's of the S/O in this county and went through the same BS I endured. Anyway both have told me they will rehire me if they are elected sheriff. I knew the elections were on the horizon, this August, but due to other reasons the election is this month. So I made contact with both and if either one displaces the current sheriff I will probably be moving back and finally have a respectful mentor and will recieve everything I should have recieved like my own dept car, dept ID which is required by TCLEOSE within 7 working days but after 5 months on the job I never recieved one. Whoever is elected is the bottom line and if it is one of the candidates running against the current sheriff they will most likely not take office until Jan 1st of 2013 but I can wait another 6 months. Nothing in stone but there is hope.
Here is a video of Quincy Lee being interviewed aswell as Denny Lessman who is running for DA. Quincy is a very nice guy and will make a great sheriff, he left the dept because of the current sheriff much like I did. I also worked with Denny in court many many times, he is a great attorney and very nice aswell. That is the courthouse I worked in and hopefully will be returning to but this time I will have a patrol car and will patrol as much as possible. If you noticed the part where Quincy talks about a presence in town that is one aspect I never got to do because I was never issued a patrol car like all the other deputys and everyone I know there constantly complained about it. http://www.kwtx.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7269262#.T7R1B3d4uzw.facebook
Sadly Quincy lost out in the primary's yesterday once all votes were counted. It is truelly sad that a county full of good people are so scared or the 'old goats' have been so brain washed they would rather live in the past and not embrace a positive change and look forward to the future. One candidate will hopefully win and unseat the current 'bully' in office. Just had to vent.
The other candidate running is also a past employee of the dept and helped me out in court with a few murder trials so there is still hope if I do not find something down here. I am also good friends with his ex-wife who run the Indigent Care Program for the county as naturally her office was in the courthouse so I called her a few days back and she said if he wins she will put in the good word for me. Early into last week I stopped in at my local Academy and got to talking with a lady who is ex-military but do to an injury her chances of passing any physical agility test is very slim. She did mention that I might look into the Polk County Sherrifs Dept as they usually have something open and if you know someone who knows someone all the better. Well just by chance Polk County is where my brother and fathers deer lease is located and they have been there for over 30yrs. I also have a childhood friend and ex-roommate who happens to live in Polk County (Livingston,TX) and she knows two deputy's who live on her block so she is gonna put in a word for me. Also yesterday I decided to go get my ear's lowered and then hit the grocery store. While traveling I saw a Dodge Charger with all the signs of being a police car (pulled over by one in '06 lol) and I had my top down enjoying the weather so I wave as I am driving next to him. He is next to me at the redlight and I hear someone say "Lawman, police or attorney?" I look over and tell him law enforcement and explained the plates, he was glad I was not an attorney lol. I told him I have been back in Houston for about 10 months after being a deputy sheriff and I ask him for any leads. He mentions he is with Precinct 5 and gave me the recruiters name. So "nice talking with you and be safe out there" general courtesies were exchanged. Very nice guy/officer he was/is as the common and unspoken bond with LEO's is also shared with the military. What is kind of ironic in a "small world" sort of way is that the younger brother of a chilhood friend is a Constable for precinct 5 and the main location also includes a public park that I help upkeep back in '07 when I worked for the county parks dept. No one will keep me down as my passion, patience and desire will once again pay off in the near future. I appreciate your lead with SAPD Chad but I had a feeling since it is a Civil position that I might be past the maximum age for recruitment. Man that was long winded lol!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for listening, Gregg
Matt aka Photog, I hope you read this simply for inspiration. I recieved very inspiring and hopefull news today that I have atleast met the basic criteria to be considered for a position within the Harris County Sheriffs Office as a detention officer/jailer. I will be interviewing and testing just as I had done previously on the 19th. I applied for a jailors position two years prior to recieveing my state license and had passed everything they threw at me and then my ignorance or honesty failed me. Thank God or thank someone a new Sheriff is in charge and policy's are changing. I guess I am just saying that you never know when that apple will fall, wish me luck.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIcKkKID8k[/ame] I just thought this was a good excuse for alittle humor. I just recieved a call from the district judge I once worked with and he just wanted to let me know that he still supports me and he is a supporter/referral I can always count on. I knew I had his personal support but his unexpected call just to touch base was a huge motivation and support. Good things happen to good people.
Gregg, Good luck to you, man! Hopefully your contacts and lack of bridge-burning from your previous positions will lead to a L.E.O. job offer real soon! KevFla
Man I just spent 2hrs copying records and documents for my interview on the 19th, it's tiring, lol! I have so many records that are not required at this initial interview yet they are going to be amazed with my attention to detail. HCSO request three letters of references/recommendations out of the six personal references they request in the application, I am giving them seven!! Another high note is I just spoke with a classmate who has been a jailor for HCSO for the past 5-6yrs and he is sending me his letter of reference/recommendation for the job. Another bonus is if I am hired my income will increase about 20-30% if not more from my previous position due to training and college credits. Pray for Gregg, please.
Remember.....your resume got your in the door. The interview will reaffirm their decision and opportunity for your character to come through. "Honesty is what you have when your integrity is challenged." you should be asking questions in the end. Know the county stats, growth, demographics, appeal. One of your final questions to them in the end should be "what are you looking for in the candidate your seeking.". If you answered their inquiries right and ask good questions, their answer should list just about all the qualities you gave them.....reassuring them you're the one for the job. When, and they WILL ask, "what is you point of weakness," make it a positive issue. "my traits I've continued to strengthen are," or "what I've continued to improve is......". When the sit you in the room or stand you at a podium, DO NOT lean on the table. Do not touch that pen, pencil, paper clip, or otherwise randomly PLACED object near you. Simply rest your forearms on the surface, if their is one or parallel to the ground if there isn't, or on your lap if sitting in a single chair. Touch your left and right hand finger tips together(index to index, thumb to thumb, etc.). Sign of confidence in your decisions/answers and how you carry yourself. Begin each answer directly to who asked it, then making an effort of eye contact with every panel member throughout your answer. Firm shake with repeating their name/rank as yours.
Thanks for the advice Chad as one can never have enough. I have been through two 'sit down' interviews and was told I did great yet I do like the point of asking them a few questions which I seldom do. The position I am shooting for is Detention Officer for Harris County S/O and I gewup in Harris County so I am not unfamiliar with the demographics or the advantages and disadvantages and I know 5 people from the academy who are jailors with HC. Atleast with my TCLEOSE cert I will be a commisioned peace officer again if/when I am hired. They also require the usual drug test and psych exam and I am just now wondering if they will accept copy's of these test which was required for the academy? Guess I have another question for them during the interview. The drug test is only $25 but the psych exam cost $100 and because of these pending cost I had to postpone my 'continueing education' Crisis Intervention course this month but I am good until 06/2013. I'll be fine in the interview and after I pass the basic comprehension test (I passed this test back in '08) I will be assigned a specific recruiter and then will be taking my very first polygraph exam. Although I have nothing to hide I must admit I am alittle nervous/anxious yet I have heard from other LEO's that nobody actually passes or fails it is what is taken from the test, I could be wrong. I'll let you know Tuesday how I did. Thanks, Tater ps, Damn dogs had me up at 3:30am!!! I think they could tell I was hardly sleeping because of the anticipation of the 24. lol
One of my friends who was in the academy with me and worked with me at our past dept just notified me his reference/recommendation letter for me is ready. Oh lord I am so ready.
Nothing good to report so my search continues, getting very frustrated and disillusioned yet not giving up.
Just want to vent alittle while deciding on what path I should persue. Election for sheriffs statewide are happening soon and I have a good lead with two sheriffs depts but I had a new friend contact me yesterday and he works for TDCJ in prisoner transport. It is not really up my alley yet is not a bad job to have with all the state benefits but I could also just become an armed security guard with someone without the commitment. Thing is I do not want to commit to TDCJ after all the hoops I must jump through only to leave 6 months later if I am offered a position with a sheriffs office. The security thing atleast for me is a better path at this point, thoughts?
I worked for a school district police department for my first agency. I had a baby coming and bills to pay. 2 months later, i received a job offer from the department I wanted. I quickly put in my two weeks. I'd take the transport job, especially if they'll hold your commission. Make better pay than you are now, benefits, and did i forget to mention it pays? Lol.........think of the other side...what if the Sheriff elections didn't go as hoped and that door closes, at least you'd still have a job.
