[Infamous]

Seeking advise from a current MEP Officer.

I've been reading past threads on the forums related to MEP's, and it doesn't seem like they are highly regarded by many here on the boards. No matter to me, this is my dream career and i am working hard to get there.

I am about to begin my second year in Environmental Studies and preparing to transfer to a four year school for a bachelor's. From what i've read on the MA Civil Service website, an Associates Degree is all that is necessary. However, i will continue to move onto graduate studies in conservation while i pursue a career in the MEP.

I know several municipal police officers, none of them have any insight into how one would prepare for a career in the MEP, or can offer any advice. I want to speak with a current officer, who wouldn't mind offering some advice and if possible some mentoring.

Also, i look forward to any and all comments, negative or positive.

 

[Infamous]

Thanks! The few threads i've found in searches for related threads, i saw posts that weren't too great about EPO's.

I will keep studying, when i get to graduate school, i will concentrate on environmental laws and use that as a backup.

I can't wait to hear from one, i don't know anyone i can talk to and ask some questions! Not even my professors know much about the field. Firstly, very few people study for my major, and even fewer do it to become an EPO. In fact, my professor (whose tenured) said that in his 30+ yrs teaching Environmental Studies, he only taught a few who had this in mind and some of them dropped out, the only 2 who graduated, he lost touch with.

I am from the Western Mass area, and I do tons of boating and fishing off the Oxbow launch. I wanted to stop and talk to one of the EPO's that was patrolling, but i didn't dare. This summer i'll definitely try to talk to one of the guys. They're there almost every weekend (especially memorial day)

 

[Infamous]

Thanks guys, the reception i've gotten was much better than expected. But, perhaps some of you can answer some questions for me in the meantime; it seems some of you have gone through the process to an extent & some of you interacted w/ EPO's

- will my age (28) hurt me?

- Given the Civil Service exam history, how are are EPO exams announced? Is it based on needs to fill vacancies or list establishment? (same question for the hiring)

- if i were to intern, should i intern w/ a PD or w/ a conservation/forestry, or otherwise non official, but environmentally related company? Which would benefit me more?

- I dont see EPO's often in western mass, are there any departments out here?

- what are the questions like on the test? Any examples? Should you concentrate on mgl laws or environmental laws?

- What can i do for myself now that can improve my chances of success as i begin the process?

 

[Infamous]

Thank you everyone, especially officerbob and Harley387. This is a great set of forums for guys like me, just trying to get information. We're not all lucky enough to know people connected that can help!

I do believe that the EPO's need more public exposure in Western Mass. As it stands right now, the only people that i know of that somewhat know about the EPO's, are a**hole snowmobile riders that talk about how much they hate them out here, and the drunken idiots on jetskis pissing the boaters and EPO's off on the CT River.

Five years from now, if i've accomplished this by then, i hope i can be a good resource for the next person who wants to get into the Mass EPO's

 

[Infamous]

I dont know but, given the situation i read about in Rhode Island, It may seem that State Police may have authority over the rest. It's possible it may apply in MA. In the picture below, and the article in questions, a tribal land Environmental Officer was protecting a smoke shop's rights to sell tobacco, where the state police wanted to serve a warrant and arrest the shop owners for some type of violation. In the end, the RI state laws were found to trump even the "sovereign" tribal lands and the Environmental PD and the smoke shop was shut down.

I'm probably not explaining the situation or the case accurately, just going out of memory from what i understood, but the link and picture is below. (pretty badass, this one EPO standing up to 3 state cops) much respect to all parties involved for maintaining respect for each other as officers of the law

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rh...20/3_sentenced_in_ri_smoke_shop_raid/?camp=pm

Anyway the point i'm trying to make is that would it not make sense, if a city ordinance/law is found in violation of a state law/ordinance, would this not give the state officers authority over the city/town? If so, would it not then be conceivable to believe the state officials would have the ultimate authority?

-edit-
I read over it some more, it seems the Natives who built the smoke shop were not paying taxes on the tobacco products they were selling.

 

[Infamous]

Tuna, i never invalidated the EPO's, and certainly wasnt being inflammatory against them. Furthermore, the article on the RI incident i read stated it was a tribal environmental officer, and i praised the fact that he stood his ground (although i think its clear to everyone he doesnt stand a chance)

What are you so upset about anyway, maybe you should take some meds to chill or something before you get an aneurism lol

BxDetSgt - i think you're right on the money

 

[Infamous]

Lol

Alright thanks to everyone who provided valuable information.

 

[Infamous]

What about the people that provided regular information? Can they at least get a shout out?

Well, i considered all the posts that did not derail the thread as valuable, since i came here w/ nothing.

Great boards, good resource.