Syracuse PD?

[NEMW]

Anybody going for the intial interview for Syracuse PD on Mon.? I was wondering what was going on with it as this is the first step even before the agility test.

[EMTFirefighter]

That's interesting, they must be changing things up this year. I took it last year and the year before and the PAT was always their first step.

Not unheard of though, I did interview with a department once because their first step was the interview.

[NEMW]

you have any luck getting in?

[EMTFirefighter]

you have any luck getting in?
Not in those departments, no.

[VACOP1]

the last one i did with SPD, we had myself included, who had taken the test (PT)prior.

[NEMW]

I just got back from the initial interview and was not impressed at all. Apparently, Syracuse has "surprise" PAT tests with no notice at all. I showed up did the precursory interview with the BI and was told I would have to be there tommorow at 2:00 for the PAT. One problem, I just came down with ****ing bronchitis 5 days ago.......guess what no reschedule or any other accomodations take it or dont. I was was like **** it I'll give it my best even if I pass out on the track but the nice BI investigator I was assigned talked me out of it because if I failed I would be removed from the eligible list completly. NOBODY was given any notice at all, what about people who have full-time jobs during the day do they expect them just not to show up to work? The letter they sent did not specify a dress code or give any idea what the "initial interview" would involve yet they kicked two people out for wearing a nice button up shirt with jeans. They also went on onto say there was an 80% failure rate for the PAT, which just might have something to do with the fact that they run the mile and a half on a very small indoor track which ends up being 30 laps, wow I bet its easy to pace that. The final point was that two people showed up with suspended licenses which around here is not illegal (just can't drive on it) and not an automatic DQ unless you don't regain it by your appointment. They made these two people stand up in front of about 60 people and berated them then escorted them out. Let me emphasize that they had no idea if the people actually drove there or not. It was just completly unneccesary and rude.

[1code12]

Ok, lets break this down a little....

I showed up did the precursory interview with the BI and was told I would have to be there tommorow at 2:00 for the PAT. One problem, I just came down with ****ing bronchitis 5 days ago.......guess what no reschedule or any other accomodations take it or dont.

Unfortunately, you have to be prepared, no matter what. &^it happens and everyone gets sick. Rescheduling is a time and money involved process, something most agencies around here can't afford.


NOBODY was given any notice at all, what about people who have full-time jobs during the day do they expect them just not to show up to work?

Let's see...you want to get hired for a new career with great pay and benefits? Most people I know seem to be able to take a day off for something they really really want. It's called sacrafice.


The letter they sent did not specify a dress code or give any idea what the "initial interview" would involve yet they kicked two people out for wearing a nice button up shirt with jeans.

You're kidding, right? You go to an initial interview with a prospective employer....in jeans???


The final point was that two people showed up with suspended licenses which around here is not illegal (just can't drive on it) and not an automatic DQ unless you don't regain it by your appointment. They made these two people stand up in front of about 60 people and berated them then escorted them out. Let me emphasize that they had no idea if the people actually drove there or not. It was just completly unneccesary and rude.

OK, aggravated unlicensed operation is a misdemeanor..... which last time I checked is ILLEGAL. You expect a police department to hire someone that has suspended drivers license which indicates that either the drivers has (A) a bad driving history (B) Some sort of alcohol related driving offense, or (C) has a problem getting or keeping car insurance? Give me a break.

Some of the attitudes I've seen of new hires is sad. You're trying to get hired in a highly competative field. You have to show the employer what makes you stand out from the rest. Just because you show up doesn't mean crap. I'd rather work with someone that REALLY WANTED IT. Not someone looking for a new hobby because it looked cool on TV, or that the pay was a little better then their last job.

Here's some hints for everyone here who's looking to get hired. I know because I'm one of those guys on the other side of the table asking you questions....

1. Business-like attire. (yeah, that means no jeans)
2. Shake hands and introduce yourself.
3. Eye contact!
4. Relax. We know you're nervous, and thats ok.
5. Research. Know all you can about the department and the jurisdiction.
6. Don't lie! Be honest.
7. After the interview, shake hands again and take them for the oppurtunity.
(however, if your hands a dripping wet sweaty, take time to wipe your hand on your pants. It's pretty gross to shake hands with a real sweaty hand.)

When you leave, we talk about not only how you answered our questions, but how you presented yourself.

For those that really want the job for the right reasons, good luck! Don't get discouraged when things don't work out. There are many departments out there and new spots open up all the time. For those that just want a new job, stop wasting everyones time.

[NEMW]

"OK, aggravated unlicensed operation is a misdemeanor..... which last time I checked is ILLEGAL"
Yes it absolutley is however you have to be operating the vehicle, they had no idea when they humiliated those guys if they "operated" a vehicle there just that there licenses were suspended, they could have been dropped off which is perfectly legal....I emphasied that in the first post. I'm not saying hire these people, as a suspended license is evidence of irresponsibility, but if its not an automatic DQ (thus they would be unqualified) and they are not breaking the law there is no reason to humilate them in front of 60 people it could have been easily resolved by just calling them out out of the assembly and taking them aside.
"Let's see...you want to get hired for a new career with great pay and benefits? Most people I know seem to be able to take a day off for something they really really want. It's called sacrafice."
Not the problem of taking a day off, just having to take a day off with no notice which is basically an fu to your employer...I'm sure the SPD would not like it if you just called in with no notice because you had a physical test date with the state troopers right?.........it is just discourteous. I also agree with you in that I don't expect an agency to work around me and my sickness but a two weeks notice of a PAT would have saved me two hours of driving up there when I'm supposed to be on bed rest and is common practice in every agency I've heard of as well as a common sense courteousy.
I agree completly with all your other statements as I wore a suit, did not have a suspended license, and I was assigned a real good guy as a BI for my interview who expressed interest in my suitability for the job. I agree completly with you because I can imagine how many goofballs you get coming off these civil service lists but at the same time these things are run by a public service orginization and I don't think asking for baseline courteousy that any other civilian employer would provide is unreasonable. I work in retail, among my other jobs, so I can completly understand the air of hostility one might possess after dealing with groups of incredibly stupid people for a long period of time (such as those who wear jeans to WHAT THEY KNOW is a job interview) but these are LEO's. As has been drilled in to my head with all the BI threads, LEO's are held to a higher standard than everyone else and that entails being a gentleman whenever it is an option.
I'm not attacking any agency but just providing what I think is some constructive criticism and I think most people would expect basic things like slight advance notice of important dates and a rough idea of what these dates consist of from any employer, especially when it is a public funded service orginization.

Thanks for your advice, I already followed all that and will be sure to do so in the future, but it might educate some of the goofballs before they show up at these things.