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 Received a Card for the DOC (Second Round)
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: WMPERK4

Kozmo I noticed in many of these posts you are trying for the DOC. Were you able to get in the last academy and if not did you get another card in the mail. I went thru the first process but wasn't chosen. I just received another card in the mail and have to go to Norfolk before the 14th...again...

Posted by: KozmoKramer

WMP - Welcome Aboard!!
I wasn’t able to take the exam that you are referring to, so I am not on the current list for consideration. I would guess that it is a good sign that you received another card though.

We have some regular posters (JGH, Gatekeeper, Barbrady, & SGTGRUNT) from the Massachusetts DOC that might be able to shed some light on your situation.

Posted by: MedeiA

I just received my 2nd as well. I failed my damn PAT the first time by 2 situps!!! I'm ready now. Good Luck Man......

Posted by: WMPERK4

Good luck to you also MedeiA. The first time around I missed the sit-ups by one and got a call back a week later and passed. I then went thru the rest of the process, which I must say was a long day. In the end I never received a letter to say if I had made it or not. Now I get this second card and get to do it all over again.

Posted by: stevemoney12

Does anyone know when the next academy is? and if so are they hiring off of the last exam sept 24?

Posted by: WMPERK4

I'm not sure when the next academy would be. I can only assume around January, because this last academy was started a couple of months after the process started. As far as the Sept. 24 list I don't think that list would be certified yet. I am on the last list and received a card to report to Norfolk.

Posted by: DEVO

I am in the academy right now and they are planning for a new class around January. Good luck to all going through the process.

Posted by: MedeiA

Yeah I took that exam also to maybe boost my score a little a move me up the list. I just received a card few days ago for the exam prior to the 24th. The exam from the 24th is only to add to the existing standings that are out right now. Would assume it would take at the very least a month or two to add those in ......

Posted by: MedeiA

Hey Devo is it full pay while in the academy? And how are you doing in there?

Posted by: DEVO

Yea the pay is full time, I think it is like $758 per week. Everything is going pretty well the Drill Instructors are starting to let up on us a little and next week we are going to the institutions for On the Job training. 5 weeks left. Any other questions or concerns you have I'd be happy to answer them.

Posted by: WMPERK4

Devo,
What was it like for the first few weeks. I had a buddy go through the last SP academy and he said it was brutal. Hopefully I will get a shot this time. Good luck and congrats.

Posted by: stevemoney12

hows the pt in the academy ?how long does it take to go through the process and also what is the card i hear alot of people talking about?

Posted by: MedeiA

Hey Devo I really appreciate the info. It's very helpful. Talk to you later man and good luck!!

Posted by: DEVO

The card is to begin the hiring process. After you go and sign at Norfolk you will be given all of the paperwork(physical, application, etc). You will then be contacted for prescreening in which you will do the pt test and if you pass all of that you will continue with the oral board interview, psych test, drug test, etc. This day is very long. If you make it past this phase you will be contacted for a meeting with the psychologist and a background investigator will contact you. If all goes well you will be given a conditional offer of employment and notified of when the academy begins. I hope I didnt leave anything out.

On another note. The PT has gradually gone up to 3- 3 1/2 mile formation runs 3 times a week and the calistenics are pretty intense, basically pushing everyone to failure. This is nothing compared to what the SP goes through but it is getting many people to drop some pounds.

Hope this helped. I'll be happy to answer any other questions.

Posted by: stevemoney12

hey devo,

thanks for the info its been real helpful. any tips for getting ready for the runs i just picked up a treadmill i didn't realised how out of shape i am. i better start working harder or i am not going to make 3.5 miles.

Posted by: DEVO

i would just start with small runs and work your way up. We run in cadence so it helps with your breathing and the pace isnt really that bad prolly around 9 minute miles.

Posted by: stevemoney12

devo,

do you know if there still hiring in alot of recruits?

Posted by: MedeiA

Man, WMPERK4That really stinks. I never got called back though. That's cool they gave you another chance. But not that you have to do this all over again.
Is it still pushups -> right to situps -> right to the run? That's what got me, not having a second to catch my breath after the pushups.

Posted by: WMPERK4

MedeiA,
My second time around we started with the sit ups first, but yeah it went from that right to push ups then off to the run.

Stevemoney,
My experiences have been that the treadmill is not as effective as actually pounding the pavement. The treadmill might be a good way to start but I would eventually transition to the streets.

Posted by: DEVO

From what I heard they are putting together a class of 100

Posted by: MedeiA

WMPERK4
Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I'll just have to train harder. I don't have much time. How long was the oral interview after? I made it to the interview a few years ago and never heard back.

Posted by: WMPERK4

MedeiA,

Everything is done in one day. After the run they send you off to the showers. Once you are done there you go back to the classroom in your suit and one by one get called out for fingerprinting, drug test and oral board. While your waiting your taking your psych. tests which total around 600 questions. If you make the whole day you will get to go home around 4 to 4:30.

Stevemoney,
The card that I just got said it's for 100 new recruits.

Posted by: WMPERK4

As far as the oral board goes they have 3 people in the room and the each have about 2 or 3 questions they ask you. You are done in about 15 to 20 minutes.

Posted by: Dogma20001

Yeah, don't let the yelling on the first 2 weeks get to you. They have let up alot on that, it's still there though ocassionally. 5 weeks to go

Posted by: MedeiA

WMPERK4,
Cool thanks. Now I just have to make it to the oral this time...

Posted by: stevemoney12

what kind of questions do they ask in the oral board?

Posted by: MedeiA

I went through the oral a few years go, They'll throw a few scenarios at you, such as "What would you do if an inmate threw piss in your face?" "what do you you do a buddy of yours shows up drunk to work?" Things like that. And I was asked some general questions like what do I do to relieve stress, any hobbies? etc. At least that's how it was a few years ago.

Posted by: GateKeeper

Good luck to all that are in and soon to be in. I did hear the DOC will be putting through another class in early spring. Although I've haven't heard anything on numbers, a 100 sounds about right seeing on how short the DOC is.

Posted by: WMPERK4

Went I went thru the oral a couple of months ago they asked:

1.Why do you want to be in corrections?
2.What makes you a better choice than the others?
3.You work 3rd shift and are heading into work and you meet uo with a co-worker, as you talk to him you smell alcohol and then noticed he's staggering as he walks. What would you do?
4.Your in a room all alone with 30 inmates, now keep in mind these are 30 of the states worst, would you be nervous?
I think there was a couple more but on the lines of what MedeiA said as far as hobbies and releaving stress.
In the room I had a CO, SGT. and I beleive a director or something to that effect.

Posted by: campuspdchic

Whats the pay like?

Posted by: GateKeeper

Did you get the question: "You're on the tier and an inmate throws a cup full of urine & feces at you," what do you do?

I was asked all of the questions you said but #2.

Posted by: JGH_7223

I had those exact questions seven years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedeiA

I went through the oral a few years go, They'll throw a few scenarios at you, such as "What would you do if an inmate threw piss in your face?" "what do you you do a buddy of yours shows up drunk to work?" Things like that. And I was asked some general questions like what do I do to relieve stress, any hobbies? etc. At least that's how it was a few years ago.

Posted by: WMPERK4

Gatekeeper,

I never got the urine or feces one. One guy I work with, his brother went thru it for the county and they asked him at each interview. I take it that it could be a common occurence?

Posted by: KozmoKramer

I've read many articles on this subject.
Of all the shit a con can do to an officer (fights, threats, assaults, reporting them to mgt.), this is by far the worst IMHO. The other bullshit you can handle, but throw shit on me? Uh uh..
Might be the shortest CO career ever had considering theyd have to surgically remove my boot from the scumbags ass.

Prisons crack down on ‘dashing’
BY TRACI SHURLEY
Posted on Saturday, November 6, 2004
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?pap...&storyid=97969
State prison inmates who use their own bodily fluids to harass guards risk facing a punishment more severe than losing exercise or library privileges; they could end up behind bars for additional years.
That’s the message prison officials hope to send with the first-ever conviction this week of a state prison inmate charged with two felony counts for throwing urine and feces at a guard twice in October 2003.
Izard County Circuit Judge Tim Weaver sentenced Grady Newingham, an inmate already serving a 15-year sentence for a rape conviction, to two more years in prison for two counts of aggravated assault on a correctional facility employee.
He was charged under a law that makes it a class D felony to throw blood, urine, feces or seminal fluid at a guard. It was first passed by the Arkansas Legislature in 1997 and the wording of the statute was refined during the 2003 legislative session to make it less vague, prison system officials said. "It is a real problem," Dina Tyler, an Arkansas Department of Correction spokesman said of the practice guards refer to as "dashing." "We think that by being able to prosecute it, it will drop the incident rate because an inmate might think twice if they know they can get more time."
Besides the health implications of having potentially contaminated fluids thrown at guards, it makes their already tough jobs even more uncomfortable, she said. With a turnover rate of almost 33 percent, Arkansas prison officials face a constant struggle to keep qualified staff because of low pay and stressful work conditions. The starting salary for a correctional officer is just over $23,000 a year. "Their job is already hard enough, and this makes it even more difficult," Tyler said of the department’s personnel. "No one wants this done to them, and there needs to be a penalty to it beyond just a disciplinary [ infraction], and that’s what we have done."
The two incidents that led to the charges against the 24-yearold Newingham happened on Oct. 10 and Oct. 29, 2003, at the North Central Unit in Calico Rock.
Both times, Newingham used a cup to dip urine and, the second time, urine mixed with feces, out of his cell toilet. Then, he flung what was in the cup through the bars of his cell, hitting a guard, Tyler said.
Prison officials believe Newingham might have been trying to get a move to the Tucker Maximum Security Unit in Jefferson County as punishment. Instead of a move to Tucker, he was sent to the Varner SuperMax Unit near Grady in November 2003. He remains there and, according to his records, hasn’t thrown any bodily fluids at a guard since, Tyler said.
Maj. Shawn Smith of the Pulaski County jail said his facility is aware of the felony statute, and administrators there have used it to gain convictions. "It certainly is a deterrent to some people.... They may not have realized it was a felony and once they do, they don’t do it again," he said.
Though the prison department didn’t use the "dashing" law — Ark. Code 5-13-211 — for the first time until 2003, officials say they doubt Newingham’s case will be the last.
In 2005, prison officials plan to ask legislators to allow Correction Department attorneys to act as prosecutors in cases against inmates charged for crimes committed inside a correctional institution.
That way, Tyler said, crimes against guards and other inmates can be handled without burdening already busy local prosecuting attorneys.
Copyright © 2001-2004 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.

Missouri House endorses prison spit bill
April 5, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --Some Missouri prisoners have been spitting on guards, and state legislators are trying to stop them with the threat of more time behind bars.
The House gave initial approval Tuesday to legislation making it a felony for an inmate to expose a prison employee, visitor or another inmate to bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, feces or semen.
Sponsoring Rep. Danie Moore said the penalty is needed to quell what she described as a problem in Missouri prisons.
"Offenders are throwing, in a premeditated way, a Styrofoam cup of spit they have accumulated all day long (at prison guards)," said Moore, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee for Public Safety and Corrections.
The legislation needs a final House vote to move to the Senate.
The bill would allow Class D felony charges -- punishable by up to four years in prison -- for inmates who expose others to bodily fluids. Inmates who know they have HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C and expose others to their bodily fluids could face Class C felony charges, punishable by up to seven years in prison.
As amended, the bill also would allow the state to charge parolees up to $60 per month based on their ability to pay. The money would help fund programs for offenders, including drug treatment, counseling and employment placement services.

Nice Huh... KK

Posted by: GateKeeper

WMPERK4
Unfortunately it does happen, mainly for us, at the higher custody prisons (Walpole & SBCC). To have a cup a you know what thrown at you isn’t nothing nice. And there is little you can do about it. I really don’t know if there are any laws dealing with this. If there are, I will tell you they aren't being enforced.

KOZMO
Great related articles. I will pass them along. Hopefully we can change a few things in Mass. This is becoming a far more serious problem in some of the state prisons then most think.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

This is becoming a far more serious problem in some of the state prisons then most think.

I'm sure it is Gate. If a con punches you, well, you have the A&B on an officer and there are (I assume) regs. in place for consequence. But I guess from what I hear you say; the "con cocktail" hasn’t been addressed in MA, which is too bad. That is a vile, reprehensible act of cowardice and anti-sociability. But then again, those that would do something like that aren’t locked up because they were beacons of integrity.

Posted by: Barbrady

PRISONERS Chapter 127: Section 38B Assaults upon guards; penalty

Section 38B. A prisoner in any jail or house of correction, or in any correctional institution of the commonwealth who commits an assault or an assault and battery upon an officer, guard or other employee of any jail, house of correction or correctional institution or upon any duly authorized officer, guard or other employee of any such jail, house of correction or correctional institution engaged in the transportation of a prisoner for lawful reasons shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years. Such sentence shall begin from and after all sentences currently outstanding and unserved at the time of said assault or assault and battery.

Posted by: richie28

I got a card too. I have a decent job, not great or bad, now, so I'm not sure what to do. Can any of you MA DOC guys give me any insite into how it is and if it is a good job?

Posted by: DEVO

i am in the acdemy now and so far it is going pretty well. Pay and benefits are really good and if you are interested in working in law enforcement i would recommend this job

Posted by: GateKeeper

Barbrady,

First, great info. I will also pass it along. Would you also happen to know if Assault, Assault & Battery on a CO also consists of throwing urine or spitting at an officer? I really can't find to much info on that when it comes to State Law. From the guys I talked too, they got the run-a-round from the DA's Office on that topic, intent to cause bodily harm (?). They're very reluctant to prosecute these case's. I know there case loads are heavy to begine with, but we shouldn't have to pay the price for that in the prison system.

Kozmo,

I would rather get punched then have urine thrown at me. If I'm punched I can defend myself. The con's that throw urine, feces and spitting at you are from locked cells. You can't have opened a locked cell to defend yourself.

Also, for those thinking about the job, I'd say go for it. Most places aren't that bad. It just depends on where you end up. Walpole (CJ) is still the worst of the worst, high level 6. SBCC, in my opion a low 6, high 5 in security, isn't exactly a cake walk. But far better then Walpole. No disrespect intended for any working any other places. The wrong thing done or said at any place can and will cause problems. Pay attention, follow the lead on how the place you are at operates and most will do fine.

And please, don't be afraid to ask questions to the senior CO's you work with. Where I work, so many new guys from the academy come into this enviroment thinking they know everything and won't ask a thing, only to be lost in the shuffle when shit hits the fan, I've seen it first hand. No one will ever turn their back on you, leave you alone. There will be someone always watching your back. You might not see it, but they will be there. No one will think your dumb for asking questions. That is how you learn the job. Thats my place anyway. Good luck to all.

Posted by: Barbrady

Gatekeeper,

Throwing urine and spitting would be considered an assault. If the inmate had Hepatitis you might get intent to cause bodily harm(don't know), although any assault from an inmate is a felony. I agree, we shouldn't have to pay the price or put up with it but due to our professionalism they expect us to.

Like you said, the DA does not want to bother with these cases. Also, its hard to prove the elements of the crime because of the inmates psychological status. Furthermore, I have heard of prosecutors wondering "why even try this inmate, he is already a lifer" when they are not aware that the inmate can be sentenced to the DDU in Walpole.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Gatekeeper - excellently presented advice as always.. Thanks...
Barbrady - good information, thanks.

Posted by: GateKeeper

Thanks barbardy for your reply on my question. I also thought it would be considered assault, but wasn't sure until you said it. And as you said, with an inmate knowing to have any of the hep's it should be assault with intent to cause bodily harm.

With the DA's office being reluctant to prosecute such case's it makes our job that much harder. Like you made mention too, it's redundant to sentence a inmate to a additional 5-10 yrs in DDU when he is already doing 2, 5 or 10 for the same offense. So he keeps on doing the same thing, with nothing really to lose.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

All I can say is "I bet in the old days....."

Posted by: WMPERK4

Gatekeeper,
Thanks for the info.. I'm sorry it took so long to reply. I just got remarried, again (what was I thinking...lol) and just got back from the honeymoon. I was always second guessing myself on this job, but knowing that even though you don't see anyone there, there is someone watching your back makes me feel better. You and Barbrady sound like good guys and I hope some day to be able to walk the tiers with you.

For everyone else I just got the letter in the mail Friday to call the DOC to set up my PT and everything else involved. They said they will start the PT's on the 24th of this month.

Posted by: DEVO

Good luck to all starting the prescreening on monday(the 24th).

Posted by: WMPERK4

I went yesterday for the prescreening,again. Passed what was needed and now it's sit and wait. A little info for anyone returning from the last prescreening. If you had your psychology exam in August let them know. I did and you don't have to do the test or see the Dr. All they ask is you write on a piece of paper that you haven't had any legal, medical or emotional problems since your last exam. The DI at the academy gave me a D.O.C. letterhead to write it on.

Posted by: smd6169

What Academy class number is it now? I was in 245 out of Medfield so many years ago (1996).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEVO

I am in the academy right now and they are planning for a new class around January. Good luck to all going through the process.

Posted by: PearlOnyx

I was in 284 almost 5 years ago. They must be in the 90's or so by now I'd imagine.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

SMD - Post On Brother.. We Need input from Vets like you...
Give us the war stories bro...

Posted by: Dogma20001

We (class 292) did our Physical Fitness Exit test today and there was about 25 pre screen candidates there waiting to do the sit ups and push ups. When we left to go to the track for the mile and a half run, the pre screen candidates showed up right at the end, all 8 that were left. There are alot of people failing the prescreen

Posted by: WMPERK4

I had the investigator come out to my house last night and talked to me and the wife. He mentioned a second interview. Does anyone know what these questions may be?

Posted by: DEVO

Never had a second interview just got a letter stating to show up in about a week to the academy to begin training, but all I can say is that it is looking pretty good for ya, good luck with everything, hope all goes well....

Posted by: JGH_7223

Sounds like you should be all set. Good luck. If you don't know a answer what I said was "At this time because I have not gone through academy training for which would train me on dealing with this situation. I would notify my Supervisor (Sgt.)".

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMPERK4

I had the investigator come out to my house last night and talked to me and the wife. He mentioned a second interview. Does anyone know what these questions may be?

Posted by: WMPERK4

Thanks guys. He said he was turning in the background tomorrow and I should hear within a week for the second interview. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

WMP - what we're the types of questions asked of you during the BI? It sounds a lot more in-depth than the prior couple of rounds of classes..

Posted by: WMPERK4

The background questions weren't much. He stopped by and explained to my wife the nature of the job. Being on call 24/7, not being able to leave your post until your relief shows up. Then he asked me a couple of questions about my application. He called my references asking about my work ethic and character and he spoke with my current employer. He told me with what he saw, or didn't see, in my background I should expect a call for a final interview.

Posted by: smd6169

I was a BG Investigator with the DOC when we were hiring to staff the then new Souza B super max. I realize that was a few years back and that the D.O.C has "changed" some but I am sure not a whole lot has changed in the BG/Hiring process. As long as you have a clean criminal record, clean driving record, and good past employment record you are golden. That said, you need to leave the BG Invesitagtor with he feeling that you are a team player and that when and it will, the shit hit's the fan, he would want you behind him/her. This job is tough on the family so he was trying to give your wife a heads up so you 2 can discuss this and be aware that many times you will be forced to work OT and your schedule and days off are going to be 11 - 7 with Tues/Wed off for the next 10 years....good luck all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMPERK4

The background questions weren't much. He stopped by and explained to my wife the nature of the job. Being on call 24/7, not being able to leave your post until your relief shows up. Then he asked me a couple of questions about my application. He called my references asking about my work ethic and character and he spoke with my current employer. He told me with what he saw, or didn't see, in my background I should expect a call for a final interview.

Posted by: WMPERK4

It really is no different from what I'm doing now with the hours and days. I work 12 hour shifts now and work every other weekend. She's a little skeptical about the hazards of the job but is used to me not being home a lot.

Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMPERK4

...She's a little skeptical about the hazards of the job but is used to me not being home a lot.

WMP - I dont think any thoughtful person would venture into the Correctional Officer profession without considering that particular point. It is dangerous, no doubt about it. Like any career with risk, you need to look at the entire picture; pay, bennies, training, scheduling, and absolutely the hazards of the profession. All of those points can take a toll on family to some degree. But for some of us considering it, the pros & cons balance out making it a good choice. Good Luck.

Posted by: WMPERK4

Kozmo,

I fully agree about the pros and cons. I weighed all those and still want to do the job. The benefits are alot better than where I am. There is no retirement and the cost of medical isn't to bad but I'm sure the states is better.

Posted by: WMPERK4

Curious question Has anyone who went through this last pt test and had a BI come to see them heard anything yet on the academy they want to run in January. I have not and am hoping that no news is good news.

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