[TripleSeven]

Anyone here work for the Department of Mental Health Police? Was wondering if its worth applying for.. pay seems very low. Armed? Unarmed?

 

[mpd61]

Yes,

Pay is verrrrry low=Grade 12 AFSCME group II
NOT armed
90% Security
7.5% Sheriff (transport)
2.5% L.E. (maybe)

Retire @ 65, don't even try to go earlier no matter when you started. Don't believe me?
Look at the retirement chart.

O.K. place to start, but get out within 2-years or you'll end up a client
:wink:

 

[KozmoKramer]

They also seem to have a lot of postings for new officers.
Does anyone know if turn-over is a problem?

 

[TripleSeven]

Do they have arrest powers or is it more of a security job with a Police title? I work security at a hospital PT and if i worked FT I could make $30k or more per year. It doesn't even sound like its worth it.. especially in Boston! Unless a year or two with DMH would be a huge help at getting on a campus job like BC, BU, or a Municipal job.

 

[union1]

The Job is horrible, Ive met MANY guys from there and not one has liked it. Its all security (at the linerman center). They sit desks. Dont bother

 

[TripleSeven]

Union,

Thanks for the reply. I won't bother applying... Sounds like a job that i'd regret taking. Should be any day now that I hear from VSP anyways! [-o<

 

[j809]

Worse job I ever had.

 

[Irishpride]

Every DMH facility is different. They all have different policies and duties for the Campus Police. Some are very security based (fixed posts, door shaking) some are more corrections based (conducting room searches, assisting with admissions, perimeter patrol, transports). It really depends on the type of facility it is. A facility that has no inpatient unit and a Crisis unit that goes out to the hospitals for evals is going to be quiet because there is little for even the most proactive officer to do. Other facilities that have an inpatient unit and a very active 24-hr Crisis unit can keep their officers very busy. It all depends and when it comes to DMH most generalized statements are wrong. The pay could be a lot better but there has always been a decent amount of OT available where I've worked.

Kozmo,
Where I work I have 4 years in and I am the low man on the seniority list. Others have lost 20 officers in a four-year period so it all depends on where it is.

 

[daveh]

Personally, I loved the DMH. I was there five years before I left, and I took the voluntary layoff. Your happiness level depends on what you are looking for. We did proactive policing, conducted searches, assisted in forensic escorts and transports, had lots of OT for events on our property, and court time during the day. When folks got out of hand in their vehicles we had Ch. 90.

I loved it. With state bennies the only draw-back is the pay; $15hr. and the fact that we were not armed. (though I was less apt to thinking of constantly carrying around the mentally impaired) The job is definitely not for those who want to be "go cops". But, it is just as intense at times. :shock: