MO certification test

[rmackmo]

Greetings!!

I am new to the forum and to MO. I am in the midst of studying for the POST test.

I have 27 years law enforcement...2 years reserve, 15 years full-time all in So Ca. Retired Sergeant.

Moved to AZ and was a Juvenile Probation Surveillance Officer for 5 years, then a Juvenile Parole Officer for 5 years.

I have ample points required to take the POST test here. I have been studying The MO Criminal and Traffic Law Manual and the Missouri Criminal Code Handbook for Peace Officer's which I purchased from LETI.

Many of the laws I find are very similar of those in CA, however the way they are written are extremely different. Some things I can't even find. i.e. committing someone that is a danger to himself or others (threatens or attempts suicide). Or, "drunk in public". Found a section on being drunk at a church, schoolhouse or courthouse but no straight in public. Must be in this book somewhere, or is it an ordinance?

My question is are there any specific areas I should focus on? MO POST indicates 65% are technical in nature. I would appreciate any particular direction for my studies.

Thanks in advance

[ignignokt373]

The test is easy. It's all mutiple choice.

Just study what your studying and you will be fine.

I got a 96% on the final and didn't study to entirely hard for it.

[rmackmo]

Thanks! Is there any one area you would concentrate on if you took it again?

Are dept's out here receptive to hiring cops from other states that test in?

[ignignokt373]

Thanks! Is there any one area you would concentrate on if you took it again?

Are dept's out here receptive to hiring cops from other states that test in?

Criminal Statutes but would make sure to look over everything you're doing now.

As long as you're cerified MO POST, I don't think anyone would have issues hiring you.

Just remember, if you apply for areas around KC, St. Louis, and Springfield, you will need to be "Class A" Certified to work there. Rest of the State is "Class B" Certified.

[rmackmo]

Criminal Statutes but would make sure to look over everything you're doing now.

As long as you're cerified MO POST, I don't think anyone would have issues hiring you.

Just remember, if you apply for areas around KC, St. Louis, and Springfield, you will need to be "Class A" Certified to work there. Rest of the State is "Class B" Certified.

Thanks. I'm still reading...I do qualify for a "Class A" but have no intention of working in a metro area. Been there done that.

[Bearcat357]

Thanks. I'm still reading...I do qualify for a "Class A" but have no intention of working in a metro area. Been there done that.

FYI....if you want to work for Suburb or SO in the big Counties, you have to have your Class A....

I would make sure you get it.....just in case.....

Good luck.....

[rmackmo]

Thanks Bear---I will for sure get the Class A...that is if I ever get through all the reading. Man, it's been 30 years since I was in the academy!!!! The RSMo is not the easiest reading I've ever done. The Law Enforcement Officer's Manual is helpful. So, hopefully within a week or so I will get started in the traffic accident manual.

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Bearcat357]

Thanks Bear---I will for sure get the Class A...that is if I ever get through all the reading. Man, it's been 30 years since I was in the academy!!!! The RSMo is not the easiest reading I've ever done. The Law Enforcement Officer's Manual is helpful. So, hopefully within a week or so I will get started in the traffic accident manual.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Is it the Pocket Press version....? If so....that's a good book to have on you.... I had the traffic and the criminal version on me or near me when I was on-duty.....

Our Prosecuting Attorney bought them for us.....and he kept a copy on him at all times. He would break it out and thumb through it as you talked to him..... and I would follow his lead and do the same..... :D

[rmackmo]

Hey Bear...I only have the The MO Criminal and Traffic Law Manual by Lexi Nexis which is the full manual. And, the Missouri Criminal Code Handbook for Peace Officer's which I purchased from LETI at U of M at Columbia. I just found the Pocket Press on-line. That is exactly what I've been looking for. Hopefully, those will cut through some of the junk in the full code. Thanks, you da man! Any other suggestions? Keep'em coming.

[Bearcat357]

Hey Bear...I only have the The MO Criminal and Traffic Law Manual by Lexi Nexis which is the full manual. And, the Missouri Criminal Code Handbook for Peace Officer's which I purchased from LETI at U of M at Columbia. I just found the Pocket Press on-line. That is exactly what I've been looking for. Hopefully, those will cut through some of the junk in the full code. Thanks, you da man! Any other suggestions? Keep'em coming.

The Pocket Press doesn't have all the statutes...but it has the big ones....and has a lot of other info in it that's helpful......it's a great tool to use.....

I used the LETI book in my office.... Don't try looking the damn things up online as the search engine sucks at the Statute website.....

Just keep studying and you will be fine....... I will see if I can contact someone back at my academy to see if there is anything new since I took it....and will let you know....

[rmackmo]

The LETI book as I mentioned previously is better than the full Crim & Traffic statutes. However, IMO it could be laid out a bit better & cross indexing leaves a bit to be desired. However, I'm plowing through it. The Lexis Nexis came with a CD and is pretty thorough, but it contains a lot of case law and opinions that I don't want to concentrate that much on at this time. I was told that the POST test goes in to some constitutional stuff, general law enforcement practices & procedures and I would surmise the main sections of the crim code i.e., murder, robbery, sex crimes, arson, theft, domestic violence, etc. Any assist would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[ignignokt373]

The Pocket Press doesn't have all the statutes...but it has the big ones....and has a lot of other info in it that's helpful......it's a great tool to use.....

I used the LETI book in my office.... Don't try looking the damn things up online as the search engine sucks at the Statute website.....

Just keep studying and you will be fine....... I will see if I can contact someone back at my academy to see if there is anything new since I took it....and will let you know....

What he said.

Good luck. :)

[rmackmo]

Thanks! I'll get through it all...

Getting prints done tomorrow, so I figure that will take a couple weeks or so for POST to get the return. I have all my documents so I will send off my packet to POST this week and wait for notification.