Complaint Review: Idaho State Police - Meridian Idaho

I wish I had known about Rip-Off Report in late 2002/early 2003. This is kind of an old story, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth to this day and I want to blow off some steam.

Some reading this might see the following as "sour grapes", but you will just have to trust me when I say I had serious concerns about the professionalism of this agency BEFORE they decided not to hire me.

On or about December 28, 2002, I received a background packet and conditional offer of employment from Idaho State Police (ISP), after receiving passing scores on their written and oral tests.

A letter included with the packet indicated that the next phase of testing was scheduled for February 3-5, 2003, and that after my packet was received and reviewed, I would be notified of the time and place for the next phase.

I completed the packet within the deadline and it was in ISP's post office box on January 18, 2003. Since the deadline, January 20, 2003, was a federal holiday, I assume that the first time my packet was available to human resources was January 21, 2003.

By January 28, 2003 (only 6 days before the next phase), I became concerned when I had not yet heard anything from ISP.

I phoned Lisa Osterman with Human Resources for an update, since I had scheduled vacation time from my current employer, which I had to do 30 days in advance per my employer's policy, in order to be available to ISP for further testing.

Lisa told me that she did not know anything, but would know something the next day (January 29, 2003), so we made arrangements for her to notify me by email.

The following day (January 29, 2003), I did not receive the promised email from Ms. Osterman, so I waited the remainder of that day and part of the following day (January 30), but I still did not receive the promised email, nor did I EVER receive one from her.

On January 30, 2003, I emailed Mr. Nance with Human Resources for more information, since I had his email address from emails he had sent to me previously notifying me of passing test scores. I never received a response from him that day, but hoped that one would come the following day.

On January 31, 2003, by about 2:00 p.m., I still had not received an email in reponse from Mr. Nance, so I phoned him. He was not available, so I left a voice mail. I never received any kind of response from Mr. Nance that day either.

Four days alter, on February 3, 2003 (the first day of the next phase as far as I knew), I finally received a phone call from Mr. Nance. He had no information for me and suggested I phone Ms. Osterman again. I immediately did so and spoke with "Becky". Becky advised me that testing was going on that day and the next day. She checked the lists to make sure I was not on them. I was not. That was a good thing, since I live about 200 miles from the test site.

Becky continued checkeing and found my packet in a pile which was labeled "Hold for more information". She did not know what this meant, but knew that she had not sent out a rejection to me based on not meeting the standards such as drug usage, etc.

We speculated that since I was a certified officer that maybe I and other certified officers were being put on hold until the entry level officers were selected. I was told that I was likely still in consideration. Becky promised to speak with Ms. Osterman, who would not be available until noon and would call me right back.

Later that day, I received a letter from Mr. Timothy O'Leary from Human Resources withdrawing the conditional offer of employment. It was dated January 31, 2003. I then finally received verbal notification from Becky when she called me back, at least 7-8 hours, after I first spoke to her.

So, as you can see, I was OFFICIALLY notified that I was not going to be invited to further testing on the day that testing took place. Of course, by this time, I could not cancel my vacation and since I was hoping to be making a trip for testing, I had made no other plans. I think you will agree this is unacceptable and not how potential employees, or anyone else, should be treated.

In addition, the rejection letter stated that I "do not meet the needs of the agency". I find this interesting, since I hold an Idaho P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate (and am eligible for the Advanced Certificate), I have a Bachelor of Arts degree, and I had almost 8 years of full-time experience as a law enforcement officer, at the time.

Additionally, I had a proven track record of over 130 DUI arrests with probably about a 99% conviction rate. It should also be noted, ISP appears to have difficulty recruiting and keeping officers. If this is an example of how they treat their employees, I can see why.

ISP might also consider how they pay their employees. I found it interesting that with all my experience, training and education, I would have started at the same paltry pay as someone with absolutely NO experience, NO training, and as little education as a GED!

The above is something to think about when applying for employment with this this agency.

Kevin

Grangeville, Idaho
U.S.A.