Fema Employment

Should I say something?

I was contacted by my hometowns police department as an offer to apply for 2 open positions. I am already a police officer for the Federal Gov't, but I thought it would be nice to go back where I grew up. I looked at it like either way I am still a cop, so it wouldn't be a loss. I filled out the application, added the necessary paperwork from trasnscripts, to commendations, to letters of reference etc. I knew and was told going in I was the highest qualified candidate. After all was said and done I was not offered a position. I looked into it and asked around as to why. I had my degree with a 3.89 GPA, I'm academy trained, I've been on the job for 2 years now with the Gov't, I was the only certified EMT, etc. Out of the 2 that were hired, 1 had a degree w/ no experience and the other was a reserve deputy w/o a degree. I have no real proof or anything that there was nepotism or someone did a favor. However, my hometown is noutorious for that sort of thing. I am very happy where I am. I just feel like I should say something. A lawsuit seems a little far fetched at this time. If I wasn't already on the job, then it would be happening. I am tempted to write a few letters to some newspapers. Funny thing is I also found out one of those hired, DUI as a teen and a plea deal of 6 months probation for an assault case. I have not even had a parking ticket. It's just a load of BS, I am better off in the long run, it just would have been nice to go home. I called them and all I get is the "We picked who we thought would be best for the department" generic answer. Sorry to have bothered you all with this question, it just irked me enough that I had to get some more opinions that weren't my angry biased family and friends. As for tooting my own horn...I am very proud in what I have accomplished in my career. I have worked hard to get where I am also it is stuff that would have come up anyway when they got my service record from my supervisors. When I said academy trained, the state I was applying for has restrictions on what academy they take. It was just an honest question, take a valium buddy.

Public Comments

1. file a lawsuit
2. You may scare them with your intelligence. Sum it up to being overqualified? Guess they don't want you coming in and taking over their jobs? You could say something if you absolutely must. If it doesn't bother or affect you I would not worry about it. Edit; Would you gain anything from being a whistle-blower? Would the community gain anything, too? Consider what you're doing before making any decisions to stir up the hornet's nest. You may get stung and it may adversely affect the intention you had in the beginning. Just a thought. Edit; I can certainly see the dismay it may cause but if you nor the community have nothing to gain from such an act, then why pursue it? It sounds like you just needed to vent about the political redtape blocking you access. On the other hand, if you deem it necessary to expose "something" by all means do it but don't expect to stir up a hornet's nest without getting stung a little.
3. Yes you should, it seem to be some type of discrimination! but after all that I don't think I would take the position, but I would sue them to teach them a lesson!
4. There's no guarantee that the best candidate will get the job. You've no doubt seen that before in your career. A lawsuit will be wasting your time.
5. I would definitely look into the possibility of favoritism, etc. It seems as though that is the case, especially since you were obviously the more qualified of those who applied. I would speak to whoever is in charge of hiring people at this hometown police department. Just ask why you weren't the one selected. It's an honest question, and it can't hurt to find out if there was favoritism or nepotism or etc (just don't tell that to whoever you speak to.) Good luck!
6. what good would it do?? you said yourself there is no proof. maybe you didn't get the job because they did not want to pay you the wages you deserve with your experiences. maybe they thought since you were "the highest qualified candidate" and with all of the commendations, etc that you were "too good" for a hometown job. maybe don't toot your own horn quite so much next time.
7. Hey SUPERCOP....Get over it. They can hire WHO they want. Sometimes the one with no or little experience is the better fit. He/she can be trained/molded to how the agency sees fit. Who wants a KNOW IT ALL supercop thats going to do things HIS way? The better hire is the one who can be trained to the agencies specs. What I find most odd about your post is that you mention you are "academy trained". What cop in the USA isn't? Therefore, I call bulllshitt on this post...you got caught.