ranger1
04-25-2002, 07:57 PM
Well,
Was just terminated 2 weeks short of my 1 yr probation. I finished FTO training, and was on my own for only 3 weeks when my SGT started in on me. He said if was to give an evaluation, it would be the worst one he had ever done..so I asked what he felt the probelems I was having were and would he consider giving me 2 weeks to work them out before taking any drastic actions.
He stated that I had messed up a couple of reports by putting a M/C Asslt instead of a M/A Asslt, and that I had put the wrong service number on one report. He also stated that I needed to print all reports, not use cursive writing. I told him I would moniter all my reports, use the Penal Code handbook religiously to make sure I was applying the right charge, and print all reports in the future. I had been cursive hand writing all through FTO training and had never had a complaint up to that point, and also after speaking with another recruit found that she is still using, and has never stopped using cursive hand-writing, but has not ad anything said to her.
My SGT stated he thought this was maybe okay, and we would see how things went. I asked him if I had any other shortcomings and he did not answer me. I then went back to work on that note, and from that point on I monitered all my reports, and did not seem to have any problems.
About a week later he pulled me into his office again, and stated that he felt I was having problems still, I asked him again what he flet was wrong, and he stated well, he was not sure how dedicated I was to the job, because when I was in his office last time I had given him a look of defeat on my face (I felt I had tried, but, after being hit with how bad I was doing from him, of course I had a look of shock, as I thought I had been doing as well the other rookies around me, and that I knew I had some problems, but not anything earth shattering to be fired over though). I asked him if perhaps, agian, could we sit down and write down what my problems were? He just stated he did not think I was dedicated enough and perhaps I needed an FTO ride along to observe me, then he stated that I was having probelms with my traffic stops, I asked what it was specific? That I called out at a location that was not close enough to where I stopped, and that officers had to look for me. I stated that I called out at locations that were within a 1 block radius of where I was, and that I could be found. He then stated that the incident he was talking about had occured on another shift when I was working over-time duty, and he had gotten the info from another SGT.
So, after this I again told him whatever he needed me to do to correct the issues, were fine with me, and that I was dedicated to this job. Then I was on my two days off.
During this time I felt perhaps if I went to the LT and told him also that I was willing to go the extra length, and do the FTO traing ride along, that this would show the SGT I was dedicated to this job. Now wonder if that was my down-fall?
After returning from my days off, I was told to go with the SGT to the LT's office. They pulled me in and stated that I was having problems, that perhaps a smaller Dept. was where I needed to go. I asked what problems I was having, and this time the answer I received was I was back-sliding, and I was having was in all areas. I asked what areas are all areas? The LT said everything, geography, report writing, everything. I asked if we could sit down and discuss all the areas of problems I was having, or that I would go over my call sheet each night and find my problems areas, and they could state yes or no and tell me what else I was having problems with, and they stated that no they could not do that.
They assigned me to 3 different FTO's during my last week.
They picked the hardest FTO's to assign me to, and gave me the toughest beats to work (and I noticed that they would not work rookies in them unless they had been on the job for 6 months and had prior experience as LEOS). I had not been in these beats for a few months, and was understandably nervous w/ the FTO observing me. During this observation period I had some problems, some perhaps not great, but I swear I felt like I had no room for any mistakes, and if I made even a minor one I was finished. I think I was placed under serious prssure to perform, that even an experienced officer would have had problems doing it right, never mind that I'm a rookie officer.
I never received any feed-back, and never got to look at my evaluation forms that the FTO observer filled out. When I asked my SGT how I was doing he stated he could not tell me. I finished the week and went onto my days off.
When i returned to work the SGT called me into his office and stated that I was on Admin Leave for 5 days w/pay. i had an appt with the chief the day I returned at 9 am. I knew I was through, and i saw the writing on the wall. I contacted the Dept. Police Assoc., and they basically stated that it sounded as if I were going to be terminated, and that since I was a probationary employee there was nothing they could do for me. that my only recourse was a discrimination lawsuit.
I met with the chief and as I figured was terminated. During the coversation I had asked him what the probelms were that I was being terminated for, and he stated that during my FTO training phase I had forgotten my flashlight, (this only happened one time, and it was because I had forgotten my Dept. issued flashlight and used my own personal flashlight I had on my belt), and I had missed some blocks on a couple of reports.
He said he felt I would make it at another Dept., that I would be a good officer, but maybe I needed a smaller agency. He then told me that I could take some of his cards and that I could use him as a reference if I would be applying at another agency.
That was the end. Now, I wonder what will happen? I am determined to be a police officer(even if I have to work for free...!) ...do I even try to apply other places or will I get the old ....Were sorry ma'am at this time..or will I stand a chance? I feel in my heart of hearts that I know I'm a good officer, that I gave more than my best effort there, but will that overcome being terminated right out of my last Dept? Help...I feel lost and I need some advice! Anything would be welcomed and deeply appreciated. Sorry this is so long, its just still such a shock to me. Thanks to everyone who replies. :confused:
Was just terminated 2 weeks short of my 1 yr probation. I finished FTO training, and was on my own for only 3 weeks when my SGT started in on me. He said if was to give an evaluation, it would be the worst one he had ever done..so I asked what he felt the probelems I was having were and would he consider giving me 2 weeks to work them out before taking any drastic actions.
He stated that I had messed up a couple of reports by putting a M/C Asslt instead of a M/A Asslt, and that I had put the wrong service number on one report. He also stated that I needed to print all reports, not use cursive writing. I told him I would moniter all my reports, use the Penal Code handbook religiously to make sure I was applying the right charge, and print all reports in the future. I had been cursive hand writing all through FTO training and had never had a complaint up to that point, and also after speaking with another recruit found that she is still using, and has never stopped using cursive hand-writing, but has not ad anything said to her.
My SGT stated he thought this was maybe okay, and we would see how things went. I asked him if I had any other shortcomings and he did not answer me. I then went back to work on that note, and from that point on I monitered all my reports, and did not seem to have any problems.
About a week later he pulled me into his office again, and stated that he felt I was having problems still, I asked him again what he flet was wrong, and he stated well, he was not sure how dedicated I was to the job, because when I was in his office last time I had given him a look of defeat on my face (I felt I had tried, but, after being hit with how bad I was doing from him, of course I had a look of shock, as I thought I had been doing as well the other rookies around me, and that I knew I had some problems, but not anything earth shattering to be fired over though). I asked him if perhaps, agian, could we sit down and write down what my problems were? He just stated he did not think I was dedicated enough and perhaps I needed an FTO ride along to observe me, then he stated that I was having probelms with my traffic stops, I asked what it was specific? That I called out at a location that was not close enough to where I stopped, and that officers had to look for me. I stated that I called out at locations that were within a 1 block radius of where I was, and that I could be found. He then stated that the incident he was talking about had occured on another shift when I was working over-time duty, and he had gotten the info from another SGT.
So, after this I again told him whatever he needed me to do to correct the issues, were fine with me, and that I was dedicated to this job. Then I was on my two days off.
During this time I felt perhaps if I went to the LT and told him also that I was willing to go the extra length, and do the FTO traing ride along, that this would show the SGT I was dedicated to this job. Now wonder if that was my down-fall?
After returning from my days off, I was told to go with the SGT to the LT's office. They pulled me in and stated that I was having problems, that perhaps a smaller Dept. was where I needed to go. I asked what problems I was having, and this time the answer I received was I was back-sliding, and I was having was in all areas. I asked what areas are all areas? The LT said everything, geography, report writing, everything. I asked if we could sit down and discuss all the areas of problems I was having, or that I would go over my call sheet each night and find my problems areas, and they could state yes or no and tell me what else I was having problems with, and they stated that no they could not do that.
They assigned me to 3 different FTO's during my last week.
They picked the hardest FTO's to assign me to, and gave me the toughest beats to work (and I noticed that they would not work rookies in them unless they had been on the job for 6 months and had prior experience as LEOS). I had not been in these beats for a few months, and was understandably nervous w/ the FTO observing me. During this observation period I had some problems, some perhaps not great, but I swear I felt like I had no room for any mistakes, and if I made even a minor one I was finished. I think I was placed under serious prssure to perform, that even an experienced officer would have had problems doing it right, never mind that I'm a rookie officer.
I never received any feed-back, and never got to look at my evaluation forms that the FTO observer filled out. When I asked my SGT how I was doing he stated he could not tell me. I finished the week and went onto my days off.
When i returned to work the SGT called me into his office and stated that I was on Admin Leave for 5 days w/pay. i had an appt with the chief the day I returned at 9 am. I knew I was through, and i saw the writing on the wall. I contacted the Dept. Police Assoc., and they basically stated that it sounded as if I were going to be terminated, and that since I was a probationary employee there was nothing they could do for me. that my only recourse was a discrimination lawsuit.
I met with the chief and as I figured was terminated. During the coversation I had asked him what the probelms were that I was being terminated for, and he stated that during my FTO training phase I had forgotten my flashlight, (this only happened one time, and it was because I had forgotten my Dept. issued flashlight and used my own personal flashlight I had on my belt), and I had missed some blocks on a couple of reports.
He said he felt I would make it at another Dept., that I would be a good officer, but maybe I needed a smaller agency. He then told me that I could take some of his cards and that I could use him as a reference if I would be applying at another agency.
That was the end. Now, I wonder what will happen? I am determined to be a police officer(even if I have to work for free...!) ...do I even try to apply other places or will I get the old ....Were sorry ma'am at this time..or will I stand a chance? I feel in my heart of hearts that I know I'm a good officer, that I gave more than my best effort there, but will that overcome being terminated right out of my last Dept? Help...I feel lost and I need some advice! Anything would be welcomed and deeply appreciated. Sorry this is so long, its just still such a shock to me. Thanks to everyone who replies. :confused: