MassCops - Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network, A Mass Police Web Portal

Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network

Massachusetts Police News, Information and Discussions on MassCops

Pages: 1

Main Page County Sheriff vs. County Corrections Officer
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: KozmoKramer

I was wondering if you county folks could answer something for me.

Various County Houses of Correction from time to time run advertisements, and post on their web sites job openings for CO's. Suffolk and Essex are 2 that come to mind recently. But it seems to be specific to CO's. How do you get hired as an actual Deputy? Do they ever pull from the ranks of Corrections Officer? Do they run an exam? Is it somewhat a political job? Mostly prior cops? Any \ All of the above? And do the CO’s get sworn in as a Deputy, or is that something reserved for the Deputy job classification?

Thanks for replying. KK

Posted by: BartA1

Kozmo,

It all depends on the specific department. I used to work at Suffolk HOC. There policy was you started as a CO and worked in a unit. Usually after your year probationary period was up you were appointed as a deputy sheriff. When I was there a large group of guys was waiting to get appointed. As far as different duties at Suffolk mostly everyone started out working a block. Some people got the hook up and got a good gig. Others didnt. It varies by Sheriffs Department. I worked a detail a couple of weeks a go with a plymouth county guy and was a deputy, but was not a CO. Alot of those things change with the Sheriffs election which I know Suffolk, Plymouth, and Essex have elections this year. My advice is to talk to someone that works at the department your are interested in.

Posted by: ejk55

Are there different unions in a County Sheriffs Dept. Does the staff in a House of Correction belong to the same union as staff who work in a Jail? And do deputies have their own union? I was just curious.

Posted by: joe

In Franklin County they have corrections officers that work in the jail. Transportation officers are deputies. Officers that take prisoners outside the jail for work details are deputies. Officers who work the road such as civil process, triad, dare, and community corrections are deputies. There are NO "special" deputies. Such as, make a donation to the Sheriff's campaign and you get a little wallet badge.

Posted by: BartA1

EJK,

I can only answer about Suffolk when I worked there the Jail was one local of AFSCME and the House was a different local of AFSCME. When I was at the House the classifications of CO 1 to 4 were in the Same Union Captains where in there own. Since I left in 2001 things may have changed.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback.

A few years back I had a neighbor that was a CO at Essex County. He wore a different badge and shoulder patch than the Essex Deputies that you would see escorting a prisoner in and out of court. I was just curious about how you made the transition from 1 job to another. Thanks again!!

K.K.

Posted by: Otto

In Worcester County, deputy sheriffs assigned to the Process Office do not have a union and are not corrections officers.

There are approximately 400 sworn corrections officers employed at the "jail and house." They all belong to one of the two corrections officers bargaining units. Of them, approximately 30 are also sworn as deputy sheriffs. They perform law enforcement functions at the "jail and house."

All deputy sheriff appointments are for the calendar year and are at the "will and pleasure" of the sheriff. The badge is different, but the uniform is the same.

So, if you are a deputy assigned to the Process Office and you lose your appointment, you are out of a job. If you work at the "jail and house" and lose your appointment, you still have a job as a corrections officer.

Posted by: reno911_2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by KozmoKramer @ Thu 19 Aug, 2004

I was wondering if you county folks could answer something for me.

Various County Houses of Correction from time to time run advertisements, and post on their web sites job openings for CO's. Suffolk and Essex are 2 that come to mind recently. But it seems to be specific to CO's. How do you get hired as an actual Deputy? Do they ever pull from the ranks of Corrections Officer? Do they run an exam? Is it somewhat a political job? Mostly prior cops? Any \ All of the above? And do the CO’s get sworn in as a Deputy, or is that something reserved for the Deputy job classification?

Thanks for replying. KK

I went up for Middlesex (took a different job) but in the interview, they stated several times that for all positions above CO they are hired out of the current CO's. Basically saying that they all start at the same level and work up. As others have said, every county seems to run things a bit differently.

Posted by: RPD931

From what I have seen and heard after speaking to a few CO's in different counties, Middlesex appears to be, by far, the best run ship as far as hiring practices and treatment of the CO's/Deputies. Sheriff Dipaola (sp?) is a Deputies' kinda Sheriff, he seems to back his guys well and equips his department well also. Now I realize not everyone is thrilled about the counties having all the "toys", but at least from the deputies point, it allows them to work in various capacities. More advancement or areas to work in. I believe the Sheriff is a former PO, but I'm not certain, anyone else here know? I have met him a few times -- No, I don't throw him a few campaign $$ for a job-- but he seems like a pretty down to earth guy with a good head on his shoulders. His department does not appear to be political at all or at least not much.

Posted by: k9sheriff

RPD931, If i'm correct he is a former Malden police officer, and from what i've been told has quite the Grant writer.

Posted by: RPD931

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9sheriff @ Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:50 pm

RPD931, If i'm correct he is a former Malden police officer, and from what i've been told has quite the Grant writer.

I figured that. I said before when other folks complained about all the "Toys" he gets..... Its all about the grants, if a dept doesn't apply for them they don't get them.. if the dept has a moron writing the grant they probably won't get them.... they don't just give it away, you gotta find them and apply for them...

Posted by: SCS03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejk55 @ Thu 19 Aug, 2004 21:50

Are there different unions in a County Sheriffs Dept. Does the staff in a House of Correction belong to the same union as staff who work in a Jail? And do deputies have their own union? I was just curious.

In Suffolk County the jail belongs to JOEASC, and the HOC is AFSCME. Deputies in Suffolk County are under whatever facility they work out of as far as unions go. Most people believe that a deputies fall under a completely different body of the Sheriff's dept. In fact a lot of deputies remain working in the units of the jail or hoc. Being a deputy means you are able to have a broader range of duties, such as transportation, warrant apprehension, DARE, etc. Although Civil Deputies are completely different. No union, and somewhat different powers compared to a "regular" Deputy. They stick to the process serving sector.

Posted by: thumper2168

Not at all SO's but throw some $$$ and you'll see. The Sheriff of Middlesex was quoted as saying that he would reivent the jails and keep his CO's inside the jail where they belong. alas another politician another lie. You want to be a local police officer or a city or state officer take a test and put your wallet away, have some intergrity and do what the rest of us have done sweat out the academy.

Posted by: odob16

smartin up thumper, you cant buy your way into the Middlesex academy

Posted by: RPD931

Quote:

Originally Posted by odob16 @ Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:36 pm

smartin up thumper, you cant buy your way into the Middlesex academy

This is true. Anyone that makes it into Middlesex earned it the legit way... not by waving their wallet around. I think standards and integrity are something Middlesex SO has over all the other County SO's.

Posted by: thumper2168

[u][i][b]smartin up Ok then??, if you read my posts I said almost all,,,, I don't deal with Middlesex all that much because I don't like the Sheriff.. You'll never get a chance to lie to me twice... As I have been saying all along if they standardize the test for the entire state so that ALL deputies are taking the same entry test and are not allowed to buy the badge, then I have no more problems. But as I stop and take more badges a year than I know what to do with they need to regulate their own which they do not do. AS a whole the Sheriff's in Massachusetts will not get any respect due to the ones that buy, contribute or hack for a badge, job and such...

Posted by: PANACHE

Hey Thumper I think you need anger management. How is it your taking badges???
Aren't you assigned to a specialty Unit The MSPG-Unit.
I think all agencies have a couple of those you don't want to mention.
So Good Luck with your Sheriff Bashing

Posted by: thumper2168

Posted Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:34 am:

Wrong unit but good guess. I held off on "Bashing" the Middlesex SO's because as I said I didn't have enough contact with them... I said and will say again that until ALL Deputies statewide go with a standard test and not pay for their badges that they will have no respect. BUT now the Sheriff himself comes out and says it, yes we give out badges after (probably) running illegal CORI background checks to almost anyone that wants to pay us $$$ Do you not have a job or did you pay for a Sheriff's job mmhh and your feeling bad about my remarks about the Sheriff's. Take a test, put your wallet and rest your hands from holding that campaign sign. Shake every door downtown at 3 AM in the snow and put some bracelets on a couple hundred people and then come back and talk to me. Yes I will bash all hacks for buying a job. All guys that want a job don't weep and buy them some go out and work their ass off like 95% of the people on this board. And yes I was a screw soo their goes that thought.

Posted by: RPD931

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANACHE @ Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:03 pm

Hey Thumper I think you need anger management.

Posted by: k9sheriff

Thumper2168, just a question for you.You say that until there is a standardized test sheriff's won't get any respect.I can tell you one thing I get plenty of respect because of the way I conduct myself along with my fellow Deputies.I do agree with you , out of the 14 sheriff departments in Massachusetts 8 of the counties have abolished county government, so 8 of us are state employees while the rest of them county run.What a screwed up state.But my main question for you is this.If there should be a standardized test(to which i agree) shouldn't there then be a policy of aboilishing all non civil service towns where there are are hundreds or more police who therefore are not legitimate officers because they didn't take the standardized civil service exam, but started out as Auxilliary then Reserve and then merely got appointed by the selectmen because the chief liked him/her.Maybe some of them take an exam but it isn't the civil service exam.Just curious on your take on this.

Posted by: thumper2168

We have to start somewhere.. Merge em with the DOC. I don't see the locals crashing into other police cars because they wanted to get into a real pursuit, it's called experience. And most of us had to scratch our way into a job, test after test. But that is the way it works. don't look to me as some of these Deputies do and say just because I don't have the academy doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. I have a ton of experience as they try to displace a town or City or State Police Officer with their political handouts. Yeah I'm pissed because they are going to get someone killed not just another broken leg when they want to play cop.

Posted by: k9sheriff

thumper, i'd have to say if I went by your standards then I will not respect all police until every department is part of the civil service. I don't know where you are from but where I am from I cannot think of one non civil servive town where there is any type of exam to get on tthe department and even when your on, any test to get promoted.I guess by your standards most of them are no good.But anyway I don't care to get in a grudge match with you because it's just your opinion and that is as far as you can go.

Posted by: odob16

Relax thumper, pay attention to your own job and stop sweating the sheriff's department, and if you were a screw startin giving the others some respect because, bottom line, C.O's have the hardest law enforcement job out there.

Posted by: MarkBoston

The ability to be incognito and to post almost anything in this forum. That is one of the great things about this web site. But sometimes being anonymous has its drawbacks.

My point is this; almost every time I read this forum I see one law enforcement officer is bashing another officer and/or department. I am guilty of busting the chops of more then a few people on this board. But I have never and will never insult a person’s integrity. To post statements about people supposedly buying their jobs is an insult not only to that person and their own department, but to all law enforcement.

It is legal to make a political donation to a candidate for public office. I have donated money to every single mayor of Boston since Kevin White. This is the truth and a matter of public record. Did it help me on the several different civil service tests I have taken and passed? I know for damn sure it never hurt me. Do I have more opportunities for better assignments then another member of the department who can’t call in a favor? Yes I do. Are there some people on the department who resent this fact? Yes, there is. But guess what? I don’t care. I invested my money in my career and my future just like someone who invests in the stock market. It is a risk that sometimes pays off and sometimes you take a loss.

Do I recommend that a person donate money to their respective appointing authorities? Yes I do. If you are sitting for an interview for a police appointment in your hometown before the board of selectmen/aldermen/whoever and the majority of the board knows you and likes you, then your chances are better then someone who is as qualified as you, but an unknown to the appointing authority.

I am stating my opinion and experiences. I am also saying that this smash and bash BS should really stop on this board. Busting someone’s chops over a mistake in spelling or a goof up is OK. But to question another person’s integrity without proof is an insult to everyone who wears a uniform. If you have the proof of bribery of a public official then get off the computer and present your evidence to the Attorney General’s office. Otherwise honor your brother and sister officers and keep your anti-whatever opinions to yourself.

If we do not work together and stick together then we only make our enemies stronger.

Posted by: pucknut

Excellent point MarkBoston,
Sometimes a little brutal honesty is refreshing

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Florida doesn't have a standard civil service test at all. Almost all the departments hire from an application, which outlines ones training, experience, education and references and from there the agency can then pick the most qualified applicant for the job before putting them into their hiring process. I guess Florida cops wouldn't be respected in Mass, due to their lack of a having passed a multiple choice exam.

Posted by: bstrawse

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBC FL Cop @ Wed 22 Sep, 2004 19:57

Florida doesn't have a standard civil service test at all. Almost all the departments hire from an application, which outlines ones training, experience, education and references and from there the agency can then pick the most qualified applicant for the job before putting them into their hiring process. I guess Florida cops wouldn't be respected in Mass, due to their lack of a having passed a multiple choice exam.

Indiana Sheriff's Departments are the same way - they're primarily law enforcement there though - very different than here.

Mark made a great post - and one that i agree with completely. I donated to my sheriff - certainly helped when I was interviewed to be appointed to a position there.

Bryan

Posted by: Wolfman

[Several Posts deleted]

We digress. Keep it civil, boys...that goes for all sides. This topic was about unions, it seems that the question has more or less been answered.

ma police, boston ma police, massachusetts police, massachusetts police, mass state police, mass police, ma, mass, massachusetts, massachusetts, massachutes, massachusetts law, massachusetts polece, police, officer, police officer, cops, police gear, law enforcement, police duty gear, state police, sheriff, law, police supply, police agency directory, police agency, police department, traffic officer, police dept, state trooper, dispatcher, massachusetts county sheriff, massachusetts sheriff, massachusetts department of corrections, ma doc, doc, dept of corrections, police information, civil service, ma civil service, massachusetts crime, police training, police academy, ma police academy, massachusetts officers, masscop, masscops, mpa, bpa, ibpoa, police association, massachusetts police news, massachusetts crime news, mass most wanted, police career information, police patrol, police administration, police books, crime scene training, police discussion, crime discussions, cops

About MassCops, the home for Massachusetts law enforcement.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network opened in 1998 and is now a part of the New England Police Network The site is a pro-police discussion forum intended for sworn police officers and civilian law enforcement officials as well as those interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement here in Massachusetts.

The goal of The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network is to provide an informal network of law enforcement officials here in Massachusetts for educational and informational purposes.

The forum covers many topics such as Police Related News Articles, Agency & Profession Discussions, Police Training as well as Law Enforcement Career Information.

The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network and The New England Police Network (NEPN) and it's network sites are privately owned websites/domains and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government association or agency.

MassCops (masscops.com) and (masscop.com) are privately owned are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Massachusetts Coalition of Police (masscop.org)

3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49 50 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108