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Posted by: maverick

I had a few questions, I am 35, Marine Combat Veteran ( purple heart ) and wanted to see if I have any options to get in the MSP. I havent taken an exam yet and wondered when a test will come up again. So if my age and not taken the test yet, am I sol or is there something coming up.

Thanks guys,

Semper fi

Mav

Posted by: wryman

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick

I had a few questions, I am 35, Marine Combat Veteran ( purple heart ) and wanted to see if I have any options to get in the MSP. I havent taken an exam yet and wondered when a test will come up again. So if my age and not taken the test yet, am I sol or is there something coming up.

Thanks guys,

Semper fi

Mav

I believe the age limit is 35.

Posted by: Wolfman

Post moved from "War Stories" to State Police"

Posted by: quality617

Quote:

Originally Posted by wryman

I believe the age limit is 35.

It is, but they will also credit you time for active service, up to 4 years, on the age limit.

The last test was about a year or so ago. Probably won't be another for, what, about 2-3 years?

Posted by: Mitpo62

The last MSP entry exam was held in 2002. The next exam is anticipated for next year, 2007. Stay tuned....

Posted by: USMCTrooper

Chapter 22C: Section 10. Appointments to department of state police; governor’s authorization; restrictions

No person who has not reached his twenty-first birthday shall be enlisted for the first time as an officer of the state police. No person shall be eligible to take a competitive examination conducted pursuant to section 11 if he has reached his thirty-fifth birthday on or before the final date for the filing of applications for such examination, as stated in the examination notice. Subsequent to January first, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, no person who smokes any tobacco product shall be eligible for appointment as a uniformed member of the department of state police, and no person so appointed after said date shall continue in such office or position if such person thereafter smokes any tobacco product; the personnel administrator shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this sentence. No person shall be enlisted as an officer of the state police until he shall have undergone an initial medical and physical fitness examination and shall have met such initial medical and physical fitness standards as prescribed by rules and regulations promulgated by the colonel.

I don't see anywhere it saying "credit for military service" extends your eligibility. Goto Ch 22C Sec 10 if you want the full text. I know a few people have taken the exam before age 35 and then asked the legislature for special approval to enter the Academy since the class started after they turned 35 but that is rare. I have never heard of anyone taking the test after 35.

Posted by: quality617

I'm pretty sure I saw it on the announcement for the last test.

I'll find it. I know I'm not crazy.

Posted by: quality617

Found it.
---
Chapter 31: Section 58A. Municipal police officers and firefighters; maximum age restrictions

Section 58A. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general for special law to the contrary, in any city , town or district that accepts this section, no person shall be eligible to have his name certified for original appointment to the position of firefighter or police officer if such person has reached this thirty-second birthday on the date of the entrance examination. Any veteran shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age provision of this section by the number of years served on active military duty, but in no case shall said candidate for appointment be credited for more than four years of active military duty.
---
I could SWEAR that it was on the announcement for the last state police exam, because I remember lamenting about how I was one year over from being able to take the test.

Am I remembering with rose colored glasses?

Posted by: USMCTrooper

I'm afraid so....remember I'm not Civil Service. We are a separate statute, Ch 22C. Those rules do not apply.

Posted by: bbelichick

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality617

Found it.
-Chapter 31: Section 58A. Municipal police officers and firefighters; maximum age restrictions

Does not apply.

Posted by: EOD1

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick

sorry bro, but it it doesn't look good, but there are many other options outside of MA. if ur only interested in State police. Once again sorry bro. with the way the MSP testing and academy runs i doubt i will make the age limit.

Posted by: Mikey682

Check out New Hampshire State Police. One of my best friends was on NHSP before MSP, and he said if it wasnt for the big pay raise he got from going to MSP, he wouldnt have left. He says they have the best quality people working on NHSP compared to any other agency. The money isnt super, but if its what you want to do, then check it out.

NHSP recruitment:
http://www.nh.gov/safety/nhsp/eo.html

Posted by: maverick

Have you ever heard of guys politically conected that never took the test and went to the acadamey?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EOD1

Posted by: maverick

Whats RI SP like? Are they hiring soon?

Posted by: quality617

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCTrooper

I'm afraid so....remember I'm not Civil Service. We are a separate statute, Ch 22C. Those rules do not apply.

I may be thinking Federal. 37 is the top age for them. My bad.

Posted by: K9Vinny

I'm pretty sure Connecticut has no max age requirement.

Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:

Have you ever heard of guys politically conected that never took the test and went to the acadamey?

Yes, they didn't go the academy, but they're called Mets, RMV and Capitol Police!

Seriously though, no matter how much juice you have, you have to score high enough on the MSP exam to begin the selection process, or you're not going anywhere near the academy. And once you get to the SPA, connections don't help you at all, and can attract unwanted attention from the drill instructors.

Posted by: SinePari

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killjoy

I've actually had people say to me "wow, you must have known the right people to get on that job." The freakin' ignorance. No, how about a score of 99 and busting my balls for 6 months to walk across the deck at graduation.

Even if daddy was a retired Lt from the job, you still have to make it on your own and not quit (77th quitter).

Posted by: NegroRotary

I wouldn't want to know no one, that will attract unwanted attention from the Drill Instructor.

Posted by: Rock

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinePari

Even if daddy was a retired Lt from the job, you still have to make it on your own and not quit (77th quitter).

I believe also a 78th quitter???? Wow. What a wasted spot.......twice.

Posted by: tazoez

The worst part is that the people that want to get in and wont quit -- myself included -- have one less chance because of the people that make it into the academy and quit in the first few weeks.

Posted by: Andy0921

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Vinny

I'm pretty sure Connecticut has no max age requirement.

yeah Connectituct does not have a age limit... i know there starting salary is 44000 what's MSP's

Posted by: tazoez

base pay -- not including shift differential and other stuff -- 838.17 per week according to their website.
so when we multiply that by 52 weeks we get 43,584.84
now, this is the old contract. if MSP votes for a new one and approves it, it will probably be higher.
so essentially they are about the same.

Posted by: NHTrooper

Maverick,

If you are comparing salaries, take into consideration the fact New Hampshire does not have any state income tax. Starting @ 40 and change July 1 with excellent benefits and the cost of living (no sales tax) also helps out. And if it is money you are looking for, you can do alright for yourself if you put in the hours with details and court. Very little o.t., but I have averaged 78-80k over the last five years. I am originally from MA and like most others (from MA) on the NHSP in the southern part of the state, migrated north after the long wait between MASP testing and scores in the lower 90's.

We test every other month, no charge and a quick process, take and pass the p.t., written same day, and oral board that week. Thorough background and polygraph and sit down with the Colonel before appointment (average 3 months if you are squared away). They are not bouncing you around during your first year (probationary) like they used to, i.e., working 3 months in Troop A, then F, then to your permanent assignment. Individual considerations are looked at when you submit your three choices for assignment. Family, house already, from the area, or out of state with no ties to any area etc., and of course, the needs of the division for manpower shortages.

There are positives to highlight, take home cruiser, no commute or rolecall, straight from the house at start to end of shift to your patrol, so 8.5 is 8.5. The 6 and 3 schedule is not the best, but we are hoping for a 4 and 2 or 3. This Colonel is good about equipment, Tazers, M4 rifles, Car54 program (talking car) new Dell computers, all uniforms, cleaning and tailoring. I'll be the first one to tell you that the NHSP website is the worst out there,

so look past this and get your application in for the March test. You do not get the prestige like other SP's who have their own academy. You are with everyone else, but it is only three months and class size can range from 35 to 60+. If you are already certified from another state, you do not have to go to the full academy, just complete the Law package and you go to a shortened FTO period, 30 days instead of 45. There is a grievance in to get prior department experience considered for higher pay.

I hope this helped you Maverick or anyone else considering NHSP. Being a Marine myself (87-91), I wish you the best, Semper Fidelis.

Posted by: jasonbr

i called the office responsible for scheduling the test. I got the number off the MSP website. The nice lady that answered the phone said that currently no exam is scheduled, however she said that i should expect it to occur in approx. a year.

Posted by: tigerwoody

I did the same thing. I asked if they would get to the 93s and 94s and she said that they might since some vets are still overseas, but not definite yet

Posted by: Mike0114

I'm also planning on taking the State exam. I've got a question regarding veterans preference. I've heard that vets get extra points on their written score rather than automatically going to the top of the list (as in civil service rules). Can anyone verify this?
The reason I ask, is I'm sick of scoring 99's and 100's and dying on the list just below the vets (I live in boston). At $75 a whack, and the number of vets increasing, civil service is not really a viable option for me..

Thanks
Mike

Posted by: Q5-TPR

MSP gives TWO (2) points for Veterans Preference

Posted by: Mike0114

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q5-TPR

MSP gives TWO (2) points for Veterans Preference

Thank you Q5-TPR. Hopefull MSP will continue that practice, I'd hate for all my hard work at the gym to go to waste...

-Mike

Posted by: CR747

Sir, 21-35 years of age to become a Mass. Trooper. Your vet. status will give you 2 hard points on the entrance exam. Next exam should be early 07.

Semper Fi,
Bluebird 747

Posted by: andyuxb

Maverick:

The max age for the Rhode Island State Police is 44. They usually test every 2-3 years, and they haven't the past two, which means there's a good chance they'll be having one next spring. They're definitely a very professional and respected department.

http://www.risp.state.ri.us/

Posted by: tazoez

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyuxb

Maverick:

The max age for the Rhode Island State Police is 44. They usually test every 2-3 years, and they haven't the past two, which means there's a good chance they'll be having one next spring. They're definitely a very professional and respected department.

http://www.risp.state.ri.us/

I thought that the RISP had an exam last year?

Posted by: andyuxb

tazoez:

You may be right - I'm not 100% sure. From what I remember, they had one two years ago, then they didn't have one last year, and I was waiting to sign up to take it this year, but they weren't having one, and someone told me that its every 2-3 years. But, like I said, you could be right.

Posted by: pmp

Anyone aware if the Mass State Police will fund another academy class before the next written examination? If so, what scores will be considered? I understand by reading previous threads that a 95% was considered the cut off score for the 79th Recruit Training Troop. If I remember correctly, there were many that scored in the 93% and 94% range so how would they choose candidates for further processing? Thanks.

Posted by: Cadet101

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmp

Anyone aware if the Mass State Police will fund another academy class before the next written examination? If so, what scores will be considered? I understand by reading previous threads that a 95% was considered the cut off score for the 79th Recruit Training Troop. If I remember correctly, there were many that scored in the 93% and 94% range so how would they choose candidates for further processing? Thanks.

Hello, Im a 95er and yes all the 95s were contacted for the 79RTT but none got in. They had enough 96 guys and many deferments that took up all the slots for the 79RTT. They should have never even contacted the 95s. There were at least 400 of us that made it to the interview. If there is going to be another class it will be made up of all 95s. I doubt very much anyone lower then a 95 will be contacted. Hope that answers your question.

Posted by: PCI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadet101

Approximately 15-20 95's got into the 79th. If they have another class they will have to contact the deferments again so I don't think the class will be made up of just 95's. As for the four hundred that made it to the interview there were approximately 86 that made it by the 76 cutoff. If there is an 80th they will draw on the deferments 1st, the 65 or so left over from the 95's that made the cutoff and had everything done except the background, and then the remainder of the 330 95's who did not make the oral interview cutoff.

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