Big Problem - All Officers Please Read

[DEDOCMatt]

enough ....

[Gooseneck]

WTF ?? You've got to be kidding me ??!!! They're willing to lose a good Officer over some petty **** like this??

[AZCorrections84]

Something doesn't seem right here. I know with us, while you're under probation, they can fire you without warning or reason and there is very little you can do about it. Maybe they didn't want your idea to spread around the institution. Maybe others will request it, thus causing the state money blah blah blah. But even that seems a little far fetched.

I guess as my next step, see if you are able to file a grievance. Or get a petition started to see if you can get other officers on your side on the vest issue. Talk to your buddies and let them know how you were treated.

If all else fails, go to the media and let them know what happened. Who knows if they'll be interested or not. You might not be able to get your job back, but you can at least put egg on their face and make the general public realize how you were treated, hopefully creating a change.

I just really don't know what else to say, that just seems so harsh for something so petty. What did the union rep have to say?

[Bobshouse]

File under the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) right away. They could possibly get you your job back.

[Thorn]

This sounds crazy! But this is what you do to fix this problem and fix it fast!

First thing to do is write a letter to your state governor and explain the story to him. Advise him that you will go to the media if he doesn’t get involved!

Give him a deadline of helping you get your job back at the prison. If he doesn't get involved, you get a lawyer, and then you go to your local news station and ask them to air your story with your lawyer standing right beside you.

MAKE DAMN SURE YOU DON'T LIE ABOUT ANYTHING! Be sure to report things accurately as they truly are and get some witnesses’ to speak anonymously on your behalf.

The state governor is not going to let the media trash his career because some warden wants to play God with yours. You will most likely get your job back within a month and the warden might even find himself in the unemployment line soon afterwards wondering how the hell you ever got the best of him. Also, demand that you get back paid for all the time off you were away! Good luck!

The media can be your friend here. All you have to do to get their attention is mention the Jose Rivera story and how correctional officers are being neglected by their institutions when it comes to personal safety. Then you explain that you only wanted to protect yourself on the job by wearing a stab-proof vest and that you were fired for inquiring about it with your warden. It’s fairly obvious from your statement that’s what you were fired for.

Remember, the media played a HUGE role in getting that female Playboy correctional officer her job back at that county prison in PA. And her case had nothing to do with personal safety. Her case was about her freedom to pose in adult magazines while being a public official with her county and state.

[Arbo]

It sounds to me like it's time for Paul Harvey...With the rest of the story.

[darkman]

Originally Posted by DEDOCMatt

Yesterday, when I posted, I was a State Correctional Officer. When I went to work today, I was. Now, at home, I am one no longer.

Yesterday I sent an email to my shift commander requesting permission to begin to wear a protective vest. That email went to the Deputy Warden and then the Warden.

Today, before I was given my assignment in the gatehouse, I was told to see the Deputy Warden. I went into the office and found both Deputy Wardens, the Warden himself, and my union rep waiting. Mind you, I am still on probation.

I was asked why I wanted a vest. I responded,' for reasons of officer safety, sir. It is an industry standard and I wanted to be protected, at least partially."

Warden - if they know you're wearing a vest, they'll just stab you somewhere else.

Me - I know sir, but I would like to err on the side of caution. The difference between a hundred stab wounds and 80 might be the blood loss that decides if I live or die.

Warden - I have 749 officers on the payroll at this institution and only one wants a vest. What is your problem?

An hour later, I was given the option of being fired or resigning.

I chose the former and wrote my resignation letter but he did not like my wording so he fired me.



I feel because I asked for a vest - my own, NOT state provided - I was canned.


Now what?

NOPE!!! Sorry, I ain't buying that..... Wouldn't even try to sell it. They gave you a termination letter correct?
Scan it and E-mail it to me. in your e-mail tell me the specifics, wardens name and everyone else that was in the room at the time.
I need to know, all BS aside, what you said and what they said. This is too easy don't care what state you work for. Being a FNG means you can be terminated however they do have to have a specific reason to do so.
Shoot me an e-mail and I will give you my cell phone number and we will discuss this and get it resolved.
Ask anyone that knows me here. I'll help if I can and with what you have stated so far I can in fact help you.
I will tell you up front and for everyone to see that you may have to sign a document naming me as your representative.... No worries I'm not going to take your money, or try to get next to your wife although can you tell me... what kind of car/truck you drive? LOL.......

[HACKINIT]

Originally Posted by DEDOCMatt

I chose the former and wrote my resignation letter but he did not like my wording so he fired me.



I feel because I asked for a vest - my own, NOT state provided - I was canned.


Now what?

Find out your state rules and get going on an appeal. If they did fire you, there has got to be some recourse. What state do you work at??

[shakedownshorti]

Give Darkman a shot, he knows what he is talking about!!!!

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Originally Posted by Bobshouse

File under the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) right away. They could possibly get you your job back.

Bob, does MSPB have jurisdiction over state cases? That hardly seems likely. Or does DE have an agency called MSPB?