Court Security Department

No paychecks until after your 6 months of probation ..... They didn't explain that to you?

Since you've been serving as the HR and training person for this whole thread I'm contacting the Honorable Robert A. Mulligan and asking that you be given a hefty stipend for your service.

That's what I thought...I didn't want to assume.

I agree. Foxy, u been a lot of help. Thanks!!!!

Congrats to those who were hired and are starting their training tomorrow. If you get this before you leave your house, and know that you are staying over night, bring a portable DVD player and some good music/reading material. There ain't shit to do after hours out that way.

Also, be advised. Those coming into the area that are not from around there. The running joke, especially for Route 9, from the Worcester line through Ware is called "running the gauntlet" . Make sure your inspection stickers are valid, registrations are current, and don't speed. - Don't say I didn't warn you....

Or you can come onto Masscops and post critiques of your instructors and classmates.

Well - its been fun. I think I'm gonna put this one to bed.

Any questions feel free to PM me.

Edit - ?

You used to be able to lock your own threads down. Maybe I'm outdated. I'll defer to a mod then....

Completed training on Friday. Now report to my court on Monday. Good easy training.

Congratulations.

Well. I think gone are the days of the typical "white shirt" training. I think everyone was shocked when we were yelled at, and ordered into formation on day one in the morning. It was interesting (and comical) considering I think only about 8 of us had military or police training to understand their intentions behind the "formation" - Discipline is something new for the Court Officer training. They're certainly making that clear. Talks of expanding the training to 4 or 5 weeks, probably to bring it into the 21st century. With that it will probably reflect something similar to the DOC training, minus the weapons and such. Just figured I give everyone a heads up that, now that this new civilian administrator has taken over the courts, things are changing for the better.

Ya think?

So... Congrats on the promotion to CO! I'm way too tired to read previous pages if you did post your change in rank.

To be blunt, I never realized there was much training for court officers, but yeah, I guess it DOES make sense. Now and then I do have to remind my self there is a lot more to the job than, "Put down the newspaper. Stop talking. Take the conversation outside please." etc.

This was not meant to be insulting, I'm just being honest and I'm glad you're here to point out what isn't always obvious.

I guess this is one of the better forums for inside information. I have a question. I interviewed for ACO, in Framingham, and I confident that I did well during the interview. I was certain that I more than met the requirements and was highly qualified.

Unfortunately, I was sent the thanks but no thanks letter from the Trial Court. I was very surprised to say the least. Anyway, do you have any idea what factors, out of my control, would adversely affect my candidacy for this position? Is it Geographical priority, or any wild card I didn't know about?

I would appreciate any insight from any of you. Thanks.

How big a boy are ya ???

Hey Schlaang Inc,
Sorry about the thank you, but no thanks letter! I am sure you did fine but it's not what you didn't say or do, now not knowing or seeing your resume, I am not sure if you are over qualified or not, if your a veteran or not to say what were the factors? I know am being a Debbie Downer, but it's who you didn't know to get you through the next round if there is one for an ACO like there are for CO's and PO's. The Trial Court has not really been held to the fire, yes the probation scandal was there but it was gone in a flash when the powers to be decided not to go after the politicians, ie, Sen Murray and House chairman DeLeo to really put the screws to the Trial Court!!! The Court Officer management officals are running business as usual! The regular joe, like yourself, who wants to get into the court system to see if you might like this career with no connections is still the odd man out unfortunately! Keep applying when you see an opening, don't give up ! However,most of the Trial Court jobs entry level or not are still spoken for a majority of the time! The powers to be have just learned to be a litte more careful now since the patronage probation scandal and without civil service, the average Joe without connections will be the one who is left out in the cold. Sorry, just speaking from experience as a state employee who did not have any connections but it was 14 years ago too and it was still laden with hacks but not like it is now especially with the economy the way it is. Everyone is speaking for a relative or a friend to get even an entry level state job! Still, there is always a chance and you will never know if you don't apply right?

+1, well said.

Remember it is not what you know but who you know

I was offered an ACO position. I have no political connections whatsoever and I do not have any family/friends that work for the Trial Court. It can happen.

I agree with. I don't nobody that works for the state or anybody special but I got in this past week as an ACO. While we were training a couple of weeks ago at the academy, they use a style called an Behavior Interview. What that is, I don't know but hope that helps.

I'm very familiar with behavior based interviewing. In fact, that's how the panel interviews were conducted. I am very confident that I interviewed well. I have alot of experience with panels.

Anyway, thanks for the information. As I mentioned, it may have been a wild card, or something out of my control. Perhaps I was overqualified, and it has happened before.

I'm guessing it lack of veterans preference, and my geography that landed me a red light. I was very surprised by the outcome. Lastly, I spoke with a Court officer recently who said to me that he was sent the same notification but about four months later was contacted by the Trial Court offering a position that had become available. I don't think they would retain a qualified list for future consideration, noting their previous hiring practices but one never knows.

Btw, I considered political influence and such. I know without a doubt, the commonwealth is the most corrupt State in the union. Dido buddies.

I am not a veteran and I only selected one county that I would be available to work in. I was still offered the position.

Which County? Congrats, and you were fortunate.

Wonderful. Congratulations and thank you for the closure. (See another thread)