Desperate Bay Area Departments

[barkalot]

Not to offend anyone associate with Maywood PD, but I've seen many SoCal officers on this forum refer to them as being lucky to have anyone work for them. I know nothing of the department, so I don't have an opinion, but I wa curious if anyone knows of any Maywood-equivalent agencies in the bay area.

[CA Cop]

Yes, there are a few agencies in the Bay Area that will take rejects from other law enforcement agencies. However, I will not post them on a public forum.

Why would you be interested anyway? Are you a reject from another law enforcement agency looking for an easy way in?

[barkalot]

I'm not actually looking for an "easy" way in but more like a "quick" way in. I need to work and I've found that most agencies, who are supposedly hurting for cops, just slowly plod along in their hiring process and in some cases never even actually respond to applicants.

My thoughts are that I have much to offer and its not about where I work so much as it is about the job I do.

If I can trade my willingness to work almost anywhere for a quick way in with a an agency that is happy to have applicants, I am ready to do that.

PMs are fine.

[sgttom]

check ur PM

[WPD954]

hey can someone please pm me some of those departments. I'm not quite a reject, but after 18 years I do have some p file baggage, don't feel hassiling with picky departments and their background investigators.

thanks

[barkalot]

hey can someone please pm me some of those departments. I'm not quit a reject, but after 18 years I do have some p file baggage, don't feel hassiling with picky departments and their background investigators.

thanks

See there, I'm not the only one. Agencies complain about finding candidates who don't have background issues with criminal histories, drug histories, and bad credit and then turn down candidates who have had less than smooth sailing during their career, usually having been on the receiving end of internal politics.

[WPD954]

Amen barkalot. I have minimal discipline, one negative incident and a long list of justified force packages, but you know how they go with the "where theres smoke thers fire" theory.

[IMachU]

Sometimes, simply getting into LE is hard. But be aware....if you are just getting in, you may have a hard time once you ARE in getting to one of those "other" agencies that take a while. If you work for an agency known to hire rejects, you may have a stigma that will follow you thru the testing process. So, if you are trying to get your first LE job, I'd be a little more picky than that. Just my $0.02, which is worth half that.

[barkalot]

Sometimes, simply getting into LE is hard. But be aware....if you are just getting in, you may have a hard time once you ARE in getting to one of those "other" agencies that take a while. If you work for an agency known to hire rejects, you may have a stigma that will follow you thru the testing process. So, if you are trying to get your first LE job, I'd be a little more picky than that. Just my $0.02, which is worth half that.

I understand that, but at this point I just need to feed my family.

[deputy x 2]

Lowering the standards AND hiring rejects???? :mad::mad::mad:

[ABN268]

The only rejects are those clowns officers that think they are better than others simply by working for sassy department. Work the ghetto and to some degree you do become ghetto, but not a reject.

[tony84]

I agree... I wouldnt want to work with cops that are too good for the job and think they are better then everyone else. Im humble and would like majority of my peers to be the same as well. Now I dont agree with lowering a standard because these are the people who "serve and protect" us but everyone should be on a case by case. Some people do deserve a chance to redeem themselves in certain cases. Im not an expert but come on this is common sense tho its not too common anymore.

[Huecias]

Barkalot or SGTTOM can you pm me the info on those bay area departments. I am also in the same boat. Thank You!

[The Dude]

Barkalot or SGTTOM can you pm me the info on those bay area departments. I am also in the same boat. Thank You!

+1 me too, thanks!

[barkalot]

So far no suggestions. If anyone has any and PMs me, I will not list them on the public forum.

[WPD954]

Still waiting for a list myself. glad to see bunch of us along on the same boat ride ;)

[WPD954]

I guess Deputy x 2's department is out of the question ;) must be Marin county or something similar.

[Teacher_CopMBA]

Hey Guys!
I'm in the same boat as well, and would like to receive the info via "pm." My story: Too much education (have a couple of degrees)......female.......not afraid of my shadow.....a second generation cop......a minority (yes, played a factor in my case).....and the ability to handle myself as a patrol officer and as detective/investigator, and eventual supervisor. I was not the "typical" female officer on my department (in other words....."I did not whine and play helpless"). Unfortunately for me, such behavior was a threat to those in command, and I found myself forced out of a job via a political power-play. Now I find myself teaching high school. Not a bad gig, but the pay is far below what I had become accustomed to. Things have been tight for a few years, and I would like to return to my first career choice (for more reasons than one)!

[Teacher_CopMBA]

Oh......I forgot to add the fact that I am an honorably discharged military veteran as well. The problem that I have experienced in my present state (being that I worked for the largest agency in this particular state), is that once my credentials are reviewed, I am considered OVERQUALIFIED or a POTENTIAL THREAT to those at the agency that I am applying to. But, I refuse to give up............!:o

[WPD954]

Welcome Teacher COPMBA ;)

[Huecias]

please.........

[WPD954]

Wana be cop.....no re: westminster, but unhappy? yup!!

[WPD954]

anyone care to pm me that list? ;)

[KX250]

anyone care to pm me that list? ;)

+1

[Huecias]

I went through the entire CDCR process, and I am currently waiting on the ...LIST! I have no military , no college so I got a 70 (score) =( I used to be a Superintendent for a Residential home builder here in San Diego. Due to the HOLT in the industry...I am looking to LE ,finally a chance to reach my life long dream! I just past SD sheriffs written, and I am taking the CHP written exam on Sat. I have also just pasted RSO written. I am so ready to just get in anywhere I can... I mean anywhere in the state of CA!!! any suggestions?

[exComptonCop]

I am considered OVERQUALIFIED or a POTENTIAL THREAT to those at the agency that I am applying to.

Maybe not too overqualified for certain SOCAL, orange county departments.

Teacher,

If you're serious about making the move to California, with your qualifications, you should be looking at more prestigious agencies, not the "last chance" ones.

[barkalot]

Originally Posted by Teacher_CopMBA View Post
I am considered OVERQUALIFIED or a POTENTIAL THREAT to those at the agency that I am applying to.

yeah that must be it. :rolleyes:

Not out of the realm of possibility. In another state I qualified for a POST Advanced certificate, since I had a BA and the required years of experience.

I applied for it and my department head made some snide, off-hand comment to me about how I was planning on getting him to sign it.

All my he had to do was sign it, which was to verify that I was an officer in good standing with the department. POST did not require he agree with it, just verify that I was employed.

He chose to both not sign it AND ignore me and never tell me why.

Not wanting to play his game, that is doing things that would get a rise out of me, I dropped the whole thing. It would have done nothing to increase my pay or standing in the agency; it was a personal achievement only.

Funny thing is had I gotten it, I would have had higher POST certification than the second in command.

I also had more education than both the agency head and the second in command. I'm sure that fact bothered them and being an "Advanced" officer would have bothered them, too.

LE in general and especially those in small towns are filled with those who have the crabs-in-the-bucket attitude. When one crab looks like he might have gotten a foothold and is going to get out of the bucket, one of the other crabs will pull him back in.

When I was basically recruited by another agency, my department head reacted with anger. He made subtle gestures and outright acted unprofessionally in an effort to scuttle my chances with the new agency. He did not succeed.

[WPD954]

Barkalot you speak the truth.....I lateraled from a sgt position to an officer position at another agency, I was messed with so much by the sgt's there, one even made comments out of the blue how he was a vetran sgt and not a rookie sgt, and blah blah blah. so I hear you

[navkev15]

+1 on the topic. Im in the boat as well. If anybody has a list it'd be greatly appreciated!

[barkalot]

+1 on the topic. Im in the boat as well. If anybody has a list it'd be greatly appreciated!

Only one agency on "the list" so far. I'll PM those who have asked me to pass it along.

At this same agency I was with prior, I can count three times in over a decade I ever received any praise from the department head and one of those was indirectly.

They are in order: 1) How well I had done on a promotional interview in which I was not successful, 2) After I made an arrest of a parolee wanted for second-degree murder, and 3) When someone else told me the agency head described me as "one of my best officers". That's a rate of one every 3.3 years!:eek:

Of course, the derogatory remarks, put-downs, religious intolerance, bad attitude, foul language, etc, etc., came at a much higher rate, that being almost daily.

But, I must admit, he kept me employed for that decade and must have wanted me to stay for all the useless baloney he placed in my personnel file.

[barkalot]

Okay, I've PMed those who requested one. I ask that you don't discuss them on the open forum out of respect for any officers who might work there, even though I don't exactly remember that courtesy to the Maywood PD officers.:(

[IMachU]

I really have to bite my tongue here....WPD, you know what I mean....

[barkalot]

"The List" grows and grows. Send me fresh PMs and I'll keep sending you the updated list.

[WPD954]

IMachU.......yep, big brother is allways watching ;)

[Teacher_CopMBA]

"Just curious, how were you forced out of your job completely? I understand the politics, but your only choice was to leave police work completely?"

Reply: In some states (particularly those "southernmost states"), it is very easy to become "BLACK-BALLED" (no pun intended in my case as I am an African American female.....which is a rarity in LE itself). When I was forced out of my job and tried to re-apply in the field, all of the departments that paid anything close to what I was making, would not give me an opportunity to prove myself as an officer. Sure, there were several small departments that were interested in hiring me, but there yearly pay was no where near close to what I was accustomed to making at the time that I lost my job. You know, there are only so many "extra jobs" that you can work...one has to sleep sometime...........I was fortunate in that I had other skills outside of the field that would allow me to maintain a fairly decent standard of living, and not find myself out on the street. For the record, entering the education field from my previous position, was a $40,000.00-----YES........FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR A YEAR...........paycut for me. BUT.........I MADE IT, AND AM STILL MAKING IT!!!!

[WPD954]

Some people don't understand what it's like to be black balled for two reasons.

1) It hasn't happened to them.

2) they are the backstabbers taking part in the black balling.

[lightknight64]

I went through the entire CDCR process, and I am currently waiting on the ...LIST! I have no military , no college so I got a 70 (score) =( I used to be a Superintendent for a Residential home builder here in San Diego. Due to the HOLT in the industry...I am looking to LE ,finally a chance to reach my life long dream! I just past SD sheriffs written, and I am taking the CHP written exam on Sat. I have also just pasted RSO written. I am so ready to just get in anywhere I can... I mean anywhere in the state of CA!!! any suggestions?

Have you tried SDPD yet? I applied to them at the end of June and I already got the job offer already. Of course there is LAPD and even Boarder Patrol (though they may make you leave CA)

[barkalot]

"Just curious, how were you forced out of your job completely? I understand the politics, but your only choice was to leave police work completely?"

Reply: In some states (particularly those "southernmost states"), it is very easy to become "BLACK-BALLED" (no pun intended in my case as I am an African American female.....which is a rarity in LE itself). When I was forced out of my job and tried to re-apply in the field, all of the departments that paid anything close to what I was making, would not give me an opportunity to prove myself as an officer. Sure, there were several small departments that were interested in hiring me, but there yearly pay was no where near close to what I was accustomed to making at the time that I lost my job. You know, there are only so many "extra jobs" that you can work...one has to sleep sometime...........I was fortunate in that I had other skills outside of the field that would allow me to maintain a fairly decent standard of living, and not find myself out on the street. For the record, entering the education field from my previous position, was a $40,000.00-----YES........FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR A YEAR...........paycut for me. BUT.........I MADE IT, AND AM STILL MAKING IT!!!!

You might consider BART PD. They are not part of "the list", but hire all the way down to entry-level and seem to have many minority females in supervisory roles. One of their two commanders (captains) appears to be a Hispanic female.

They are paid very well for "what they do" (as one of their own officers described it) and even pay double time for working on some of your days off.

Their is overtime aplenty and it's assigned at random so no "sergeant sugar-daddies" handing it out to their chosen few.

They are "looked down" by other local agencies but if you are an officer worth your salt and you know it, who cares?

They handle mostly qualify of life crimes, such as vandalism, panhandling, fare evading, etc., but in some of the stations they have occasional strong arm robberies and such.

[Teacher_CopMBA]

Thanks! I'll look into it!

[Teacher_CopMBA]

Some people don't understand what it's like to be black balled for two reasons.

1) It hasn't happened to them.

2) they are the backstabbers taking part in the black balling.



YES!!! That is so true..............I've run into many "backstabbers" in my career! They may have taken the job away, but I'm still a state certified cop, and an educated one to boot! THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY!!! :D

[WPD954]

you know wanna be cop, what you say is exactly how the job should be, but things aren't allways as they seem.

[R1pilot]

In my field, if you're not performing well or not fitting in or whatever, you just find a new job. I've actually watched more than one supervisor help "problem people" get hired elsewhere. I do not understand this whole black-ball "we don't want you and we don't want anyone else to want you" mentality.

Reminds me of an ex-girlfriend from high school.

I'd be really interested in hearing someone try to justify this practice- But I bet I won't.

[barkalot]

Uhhhhh...anyone else have any suggestions for "the list"?

I also just added another with a comment as to why it might qualify.

PM me if you want the updated list.

[barkalot]

Also, I'm changing the parameters and making "the list" about northern California agencies. Well call anything north of Bakersfield, northern California.

If anyone has any additions with these new parameters, PM me and I'll add it to "the list".

Remember, please don't list anything on the open forum just to prevent any hard feelings.

[barkalot]

barkalot, Why just northern? I will send you a few southern and you send me what you got.

My thoughts are most of those on this forum from the SoCal area appear to be well aware of the agencies down there that fit this description. I've never heard much talk about the northern portion.

I also have some experience with the northern portion of the state probably having applied for most of the agencies including and north of Bakersfield over the last 17 years.

[barkalot]

Just a new thought I had for these types of agencies; do they know they are that type of agency?

As I look at their web sites they seem to present themselves as the greatest thing since sliced bread. They use catch-words like: integrity, professionalism, pride, responsive to the community, etc.

I've also noticed for the most part their salaries and benefits are similar, if not better than other more respected or well-known agencies.

What gives?

[ABN268]

"Last chance" departments do exist, they maybe called by another name, but they most certainly do exist. What type of list do you think is being past around via IM??? :confused: Did I somehow hit a nerve when I mentioned "last chance" department? Are you a last chance officer? Did you secretly long to work for the Compton PD,(the Dept. with no hub caps on their cars) but didn't have the guts? Are you where you are now because you have to be, or want to be?[/QUOTE]

Wow! tough guy are you?

You’re right, I do find it interesting/offensive that you, a former CPT cop, would describe any department as a last chance, when you very much know that Compton was considered that prior to its demise. Evidently, you’ve lost your humbleness. I would expect, given where you came from, a more positive feed back for those who just want to get back in the game and not be a put down.

Too some degree I guess I am a last chance officer, considering the madness I’ve gotten myself into (all in the pursuit of catching the bad guy). But really, I view all officers equal, even those who like too put down school or airport officers ect...

I was recently sent to the RSO 40 hour background investigator course and I was shocked at the soon to be BG invst. from theses prestigious agencies, who I doubt have been faced with spilt seconds decisions, past judgement over a lateral.

And please don’t embarrass former CTP cops with a your arrogant comments. Compton was not the hand I was dealt when I got out of the army in 1990. If you re-call the economy was not that good. Funny you would talk about guts. While you were telling war stories to your audience of how you’ve encounter animals on a daily basis, I was growing up in that environment. I attended and graduated from Jordan High in Watts, and not all of us are destine to failure. You don’t know me.

Unfortunate was it for those ER doctors that got shot a USC Med center, that I soon after was hired as a safety police officer due to my military police experience. It just so happened that I was assigned to MLK which allowed me to meet several CPT cops who were down to earth and in some cases just straight out funny guys. I too fell into the LASD is the place to be and found that it was just cliquish.

I’m happy where I’m at now. The pay is adequate and best of all, after 10 years of service, my wife and I are entitled to 100% medical coverage.

I sincerely apology if you were butt hurt that I replied to your post, but I wouldn’t expect a ghetto cop describe an officer as “ last chance,” that would be hypocritical wouldn’t you agree. Hopefully these guys/galls get re-hired and eventually move into their desired dept.

[exComptonCop]

I would expect, given where you came from, a more positive feed back for those who just want to get back in the game and not be a put down.


I'm sorry brother, but what thread are you reading? Not once have I ever "put down" a fellow LEO on this thread, or any other for that matter, simply because of the shoulder patch he/she is wearing...savvy? That being said, it appears as if you have issue with the term "last chance." Fine, let's toss that offensive phrase out of the equation and use the one the original poster graciously provided... "desperate" departments? Now this is where I believe the confusion started, listen closely. A "Desperate department" does not necessarily = desperate/reject officer. For whatever the reason, you chose to make that correlation. Generally speaking, a desperate department would be one that perhaps doesn't have a wide variety of details to attract a large number of applicants, perhaps the pay or benefits aren't quite up to par with surrounding agencies, perhaps the department is an all commercial area and there's absolutely nothing to do but chase silent alarms around all night, or one that is at will, and requires a signed contract etc...

As for the officers who choose to work for these agencies, I cannot, nor will I speculate as to why they choose to. Perhaps like the OP, they are looking for a quick way in, as I was when I started applying in the early/mid eighties. Back then, there was no internet, no department web sites, no online applications, nadda, zip! Applicants had to actually pick up the phone and make calls to inquire about vacancies. Applications had to be mailed out or had to be picked up in person. Conversely, the employment process may have taken a couple of years, rather than the few months the process takes today. My first two LE choices, LAPD and LASD, were both taking years to complete the process. As a matter of fact, after I graduated from the LASD academy and completed the CPD field training program, LAPD backgrounds called and wanted to hire me. However, at the time they weren't accepting laterals, and required that I complete the LAPD academy...well that wasn't going to happen.

No my friend, I have not forgotten from where I came. On the contrary, I refer back onto my experiences working the ghetto and other places and use them to assist officers in need on this forum. You on the other hand seem to have come to these boards with a chip on your shoulder and have offered very little, if anything, the way of helpfulness.

[ABN268]

No my friend, I have not forgotten from where I came. On the contrary, I refer back onto my experiences working the ghetto and other places and use them to assist officers in need on this forum. You on the other hand seem to have come to these boards with a chip on your shoulder and have offered very little, if anything, the way of helpfulness.[/QUOTE]

Your right sir, I did fly off the handle and correlate last chance as reject. I’m sure you’ve done your time in the trenches and I apologize.

I’m somewhat hyper-sensitive to the arrogance some agencies view inner city agencies. On the contrary, I have tried to help the author of this thread via pm. I know some really good street cops who have been black balled by their former agency and have lost hope of getting back in the game.

[barkalot]

A few new entries on "the list". PM me if you want an updated version.

[exComptonCop]

I’m somewhat hyper-sensitive to the arrogance some agencies view inner city agencies.

Amen to that brother! Whether the uniform is blue, tan & green, tan, Local County, State, Fed, school cop, etc, we all have the same color blood running through our veins...BLUE.

~Peace

[barkalot]

Kind of a related topic:

Does the willingness of an agency to offer signing bonuses indicate they are 1) "desperate" or 2) just wanting to attract qualified officers?

I'm also going to start a poll on this in another thread (if I can figure out how to do so!)

[barkalot]

There are currently 12 agencies on "the list".

PM me if you want an updated list.

[LanJai]

hello, can someone PM me the list?

Thanks.

[mikeg]

If someone on this thread could also pmthat list of agencies to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[wyostud96]

I'd like a PM of the list.

[slakno]

May I have a PM of that list please ?

[WISCH]

There are currently 12 agencies on "the list".

PM me if you want an updated list.

PM sent.

[siryessir]

Any one know if Barstow pd would be on that list? For some reason I think it would be real easy to get in, but what do I know.

[baicon]

i will take a copy if any one has a sec. thanks

[FPenCo]

Can some one please send me that list please.

[FPenCo]

Can some one please send me that list please.

[FPenCo]

Can some one please send me that list please.

[df2338]

not trying to revive a dead threa, however...is there a list for so california depts? Im out of state, but love the bennies out there. However the nor cali cost of living is brutal! Sooooo, if there are any on the sout side I would love that list, Im getting ansy for a move:)

[Ninja1234]

Not to kick a dead horse LOL but can someone pm me any "list" of Northern or Southern Calif departments? I would really appreciate it. I am currently in the hiring process with 2 departments(1 in Northern Calif, 1 in Southern Calif), but would love to see some other options. Thanks!

[WPD954]

the list was formed when the economy was much better, and the person with the list moved out of state, so unless he checks in on the thread the list is gone........

[exComptonCop]

the list was formed when the economy was much better, and the person with the list moved out of state, so unless he checks in on the thread the list is gone........

Dang, barkalot moved out of state? Good luck brother, take a minute one of these days to let us know how it's going

[barkalot]

Still here on the forum and I do have "the list" available for anyone who wants it. Please PM, though, since I don't have time to go through the thread and figure out who I have already sent it to.

As an update, I moved back to Idaho and am still unemployed. I have a few LE job leads since a couple of the counties have new sheriffs. That means some, who don't like the new guy, will move on to other things. It's somewhat common up here among sheriff departments.

There is also a chance after the first of the year that I might do some part-time work for my old department.

One thing I am looking into is to change careers. LE is kind o a dirty job at times. It takes much out of you, you are under-appreciated, and all you see is the bad side of humanity. I've been doing it full-time for over 12 years now.

I have been thinking about trying to learn a trade of some sort, like welding. The problem is the economy here is worse than many places (10% unemployment in this county) and finding someone who would be willing to train me from the ground up AND pay me a wage I could support a family on, would be hard to find.

Anyway, for now I'm still on the state teat drawing that nice unemployment check. I hate to be that way, but I have a family to support, and it's not like I haven't tried to find LE employment (applied, tested and/or interviewed at 50 CA departments).

Godpseed to those still trying to get hired. You are in for a long, tumultuous ride.

[exComptonCop]

Thanks for the update. I know this is easy for me to say, but keep your head up and your perseverance is certain to pay off someday.

[WPD954]

I knew you would be checking in with us BARKALOT :)

see what you started with "the list" ;)

[YELLOWLAB]

I work for a small CA. agency. It is similar to others, and there are some strange strange ducks, with checkered pasts. However, im in my late-late thirties when I began this career, and this was my first option. I would also like someone to PM a list to me, and see what other options may be out there.

P.S. I am an avid reader of this site, and do not participate. I value most of opinions I see, and enjoy the humor.

Thanks

[Paul07]

Can someone pm me the list too thank you

[DAL]

Pretty soon nearly all California departments will be desperate -- to find the money to pay the salaries of the officers who already work for them.

[barkalot]

Pretty soon nearly all California departments will be desperate -- to find the money to pay the salaries of the officers who already work for them.

That's for sure.

Does anyone know if CHP and CDCR employees were affected by the governor's mandatory two days off without pay?

[one7]

Can i get pm'd the list of departments.. i'm looking to start applying in 09. thanks in advance.