Opinions on MPDC

[mjcek]

Just wondering what everyones opinion is on Metro D.C police....Im halfway through their app. process and I'm really looking forward to working there. I've heard good and bad things, but to be honest, I'd expect to hear most of those things about any large police department...SO...What do YOU think about MPD???

[gijoeyl33]

do they still used the poly??? i heard they stopped using it

Just wondering what everyones opinion is on Metro D.C police....Im halfway through their app. process and I'm really looking forward to working there. I've heard good and bad things, but to be honest, I'd expect to hear most of those things about any large police department...SO...What do YOU think about MPD???

[cecilVA]

One good thing is for sure, you will get plenty of experience working in DC. I've heard mixed reactions for MPDC. A big problem with them, and DC Law while chime in on this probably, is they get ZERO support from the DC government. They basically have their hands tied. But I know lots of the federal cops in DC usually move over to MPDC or USPP in order to do actual patrol work.

[mjcek]

do they still used the poly??? i heard they stopped using it

No poly

[wolve]

For those of you who took the written test, Do they give you a date thats convenient to the agency to take the written test. Or are they willing to work with you to give you a test date thats fits you best.

[Watcher]

They've got their problems cut out for them, but at least they are on the up. In 1990-91 nearly half the force retired simultaneously, and they were quite desperate for recruiting. I think there also may have been a residency requirement at that time. I'm not sure (it may have expired in '89). Nevertheless, in order to create a large enough pool of recruits to restaff the force they SEVERLY dropped the requirements. Now don't quote me on this, but from what I had tenuously heard from some officers was that the qualifications to be an officer (circa 1991) was the equivalent of a DC Government GS-3 employee, roughly about the same as an entry level sanitation technician (a janitor). The MPD has been paying for it ever since. Since the advent of the Tony Williams administration, and Chief Ramsey, I'm sure they have had to work hard to gut out the infestation of bad officers that came on, and for the most part they have probably succeeded. But I'm personally convinced that a few "stalwarts" of that era are still on the department (though those that remained may not be all that bad). MPD needs good officers, and they know it. That's why they offer more money to start than any other regional department. You can probably look at a career with them positively as seeing a department in transition. DC is improving. It may be neat to watch it happen.

[Watcher]

No poly

Also are you certain about this? Their website indicates that you have to take one?

[cecilVA]

Wierd, I checked their website and didn't see any mention of the poly...

[Watcher]

Wierd, I checked their website and didn't see any mention of the poly...

From the MPDC website:

"Pass the background check.

All qualified candidates will be subject to a background investigation covering areas such as, but not limited to, arrest history, driving history, education, military history and residential history, and must receive a favorable report of findings prior to appointment. Qualified applicants will also be required to submit to a lie detector test."


http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/about/employ/applyprocess.shtm

[cecilVA]

Ahhh missed that part, I was looking for the polygraph as a separate step as opposed to being part of the background. Thanks for pointing that out.

[mjcek]

Also are you certain about this? Their website indicates that you have to take one?

I am certain there is NO POLY....the only steps are a written test, BI, Psych, and medical....there is no poly, interview, or physical agility....I was told my someone currently in their academy that apparently MPD hates the poly...

[mjcek]

For those of you who took the written test, Do they give you a date thats convenient to the agency to take the written test. Or are they willing to work with you to give you a test date thats fits you best.

They test 1 saturday a month and the test is at either 830am or 1030am i believe...its usually the 3rd saturday of every month

[gijoeyl33]

they used to have the test, but i was hearing rumors they did away with it just like philly PD, just trying to get someone in the hiring process to confirm or deny

From the MPDC website:

"Pass the background check.

All qualified candidates will be subject to a background investigation covering areas such as, but not limited to, arrest history, driving history, education, military history and residential history, and must receive a favorable report of findings prior to appointment. Qualified applicants will also be required to submit to a lie detector test."


http://www.mpdc.dc.gov/about/employ/applyprocess.shtm

[Watcher]

I am certain there is NO POLY....the only steps are a written test, BI, Psych, and medical....there is no poly, interview, or physical agility....I was told my someone currently in their academy that apparently MPD hates the poly...

Hmmm. I find that very interesting. I wonder why? Maybe too many people were failing the damn thing. That may tell you two things: The MPD does not know how to properly administrate a polygraph, or the quality of their candidates may still need a little raising. Or they may simply have followed Maryland's lead in discontinuing the polygraph. Anyway, it is simply one less thing to worry about during your application.

[gijoeyl33]

or its because they realized that the poly is not a valid test. which is why philadelphia discontinued their poly

Hmmm. I find that very interesting. I wonder why? Maybe too many people were failing the damn thing. That may tell you two things: The MPD does not know how to properly administrate a polygraph, or the quality of their candidates may still need a little raising. Or they may simply have followed Maryland's lead in discontinuing the polygraph. Anyway, it is simply one less thing to worry about during your application.