This is new to me.

[bodei]

Ok, been on the forums for a long time now, got alot of good advice so thanks to all. Now, just recently, three days ago, I've been hired by an agency here in TX. Now I say I've been hired because I have a start date, quitting my current job, and will be paid by this agency as of this start date. But therein lies the problem, I havent finished the hiring process. Now before some of you out there start rapping your fingers on the key board remember, I AM HIRED, WILL BE GETTING PAID BY THIS AGENCY. I have yet to take the psych, doctor's physical, or poly. They have told me this will be accomplished within the first two weeks of orientation, the two weeks prior to the academy. Am I wrong in thinking this is a liability for this agency? What if someone doesnt pass, they have already quit their former job and have been hired by this agency, now that they have failed a portion of the process they are out on their rear. The agency has no eligibility list for call ups if they need it. Just want some opinions.

[soflacop]

sounds like conditional employment to me..

[L-1]

There's a lot of facts missing here so it's hard to give you a good opinion.

However, lets look at the worst case scenario. First, lets assume your state, as a matter of law, requires a background, medical and psych prior to anyone being appointed as an officer. Also, lets assume that without having taken and passed these tests, the city has appointed you as an officer anyway (rather than in a non-sworn position with an upgrade to officer once you pass). The first thing that comes to mind is that your new agency apparently has no problem ignoring the law when it suits their needs. This lack of integrity further suggests that if you **** someone off later down the line, the department probably won't be too honorable in their treatment of you.

Next, when a department is so confident that you will pass, it suggests that "the fix" is in and that the doctor, shrink and poly operators have already been informed that you will pass these exams (whenever you take them at a later date). Again, this raises some integrity issues.

OTOH, it is possible that your agency is just kind of dumb and simply doesn't know any better. This means no fix is in and the cards will fall wherever they may when you take the tests. Remember that probationary police officers can be let go for any reason, or no reason (at least in my state) so if you fail any of the tests, you may simply find yourself unemployed.

FWIW, I have seen people "inadvertently" hired before the results of their psych came back, only to see them rejected on probation because it turned out they failed the test.

As far as you having any recourse if this happens - well, you are going into this knowing full well you haven't passed the tests. So if you do get rejected after appointment, you have to share just as much blame as your agency.

Whether you agency lacks ethics or is simply a little on the slow side, you are the one who has the greatest potential to suffer, rather than them. You need to use a lot of caution here.

Best of luck.

[L-1]

sounds like conditional employment to me..

Conditional offers require that you pass the tests prior to appointment. He's been offered the job prior to taking the tests.

In my state what they are doing is a big no-no. If he were to be hired first and then be fired because he failed the medical or psych after appointment, it would constitute an EEO violation. (Bodei - forgot to mention that in my earlier message - sorry!)

[bodei]

L-1 thanks for the opinion, I'm glad atleast you read my entry in full.