I just don't get it

HapkidoKa · 09-07-2008, 06:43 PM

next time you take a psych test you gotta talk to yourself and tell them about your imaginary friend

Greg · 09-08-2008, 07:32 AM

Here's my opinion of the psych test:

A band of educated idiots all got together so they could scientifically come up with a profile of what they think a correctional officer should be. If you don't fit in their little box, then they say you shouldn't be a correctional officer. It doesn't mean you are crazy, weird, stupid, demented, or anything like that. It just means you don't fit in their predetermined little box.

I think many people who pass the test are just good liars. I was hired before you had to pass a psych test; I probably don't fit their nice little profile, either. However, I've been working in corrections for over 11 years with a good record. Personally, I'd rather have experienced staff making seat-of-the-pants evaluations of who they think would be good correctional officers.

I think you can take the test over in a year and try again.

Greg · 09-08-2008, 07:34 AM

Also, there are many other positions in corrections which do not require taking a psych test. Perhaps you should consider aiming toward one of those positions.

Gooseneck · 09-08-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Also, there are many other positions in corrections which do not require taking a psych test. Perhaps you should consider aiming toward one of those positions.

This is what I was hoping to find too, but nothing was open.

DoubleNutz · 09-08-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Here's my opinion of the psych test:

A band of educated idiots all got together so they could scientifically come up with a profile of what they think a correctional officer should be. If you don't fit in their little box, then they say you shouldn't be a correctional officer. It doesn't mean you are crazy, weird, stupid, demented, or anything like that. It just means you don't fit in their predetermined little box.

I think many people who pass the test are just good liars. I was hired before you had to pass a psych test; I probably don't fit their nice little profile, either. However, I've been working in corrections for over 11 years with a good record. Personally, I'd rather have experienced staff making seat-of-the-pants evaluations of who they think would be good correctional officers.

I think you can take the test over in a year and try again.

WOW! I am a tad bit offended by this description of those that pass the Psych test. I am currently working toward completing my Masters in Forensic Psychology (my undergraduate education emphasis was in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice and a certificate in Conflict Resolution). I am not a "LIAR"- I don't have any reason to be one, and it is nice to see that my seniors that I look up to as Custody Officers have a predetermined understanding of how and why I have become a Washington State Corrections Officer.

There are many other things I could be doing with my education and skill. I chose to become a Custody Officer because I come from a family of Law Enforcement Officers and professionals in serving the public good. It's now my turn to make a contribution... I never thought that those characterics made me a liar.

Scowly · 09-08-2008, 03:01 PM

I think what Greg was trying to say is, they want to hear what they want to hear. Not so much being a liar, but a good re-director.
I however, don't really feel like the psych test is the place for that though.
I think you got a bum evaluator.
I, too, was totally honest on the test... "have you ever stolen from an employer?" "yes"... etc.
As I look at the caliber of people coming online, I wonder how the hell they made it past the application, let alone an 800 question exercise in tedium. I really don't know what to tell you. That sucks.

dragonsgt · 09-09-2008, 12:10 AM

Maybe you have an angel on your shoulder. I am speaking as a family member, not a corrections officer. I do wish you luck if that is where you want to be. However, there is truth to what you are hearing from these other officers. I worked in medicine for 32 years--probably came home from my trauma ER crying as many nights as I worked. But, I'm still here. My brother worked as a corrections officer for over 20 years in Florida and he committed suicide 18 months after he retired. One of the posts said you might be too normal. It just might be true.

By the way, does anyone out there think the State of California should bust correction officer pay down to balance the budget? How much more are these officers expected to give? Maybe they should have everyone fill out a food stamp request and assisted living expenses when they fill out their job applications.

DoubleNutz · 09-09-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonsgt

Maybe you have an angel on your shoulder. I am speaking as a family member, not a corrections officer. I do wish you luck if that is where you want to be. However, there is truth to what you are hearing from these other officers. I worked in medicine for 32 years--probably came home from my trauma ER crying as many nights as I worked. But, I'm still here. My brother worked as a corrections officer for over 20 years in Florida and he committed suicide 18 months after he retired. One of the posts said you might be too normal. It just might be true.

By the way, does anyone out there think the State of California should bust correction officer pay down to balance the budget? How much more are these officers expected to give? Maybe they should have everyone fill out a food stamp request and assisted living expenses when they fill out their job applications.

I don't think there is an angel on my shoulder... it is purely about my self esteem and raising the image of our profession. I refuse to be cast in the image of a knuckle dragging, liar. I KNOW that I am better than that and I believe that to first be true of the characters of the officers that work beside me.

My sincere condolences for your brother, it is a very sad thing indeed. However, the professional characteristics of today's Custody Officer is not entirely the same as that of 20 years ago. It is evolving.

I believe that until we are successful at erasing that former image, then the likelihood that a State like California could cut the pay of C/O's without mercy, for the type of skill and professionalism needed to be a good C/O today will continue to happen. There is definitely a perception by the public that we serve, that we are a form of second class law enforcement and subsequently not entitled to the same level of compensation. Where does the public obtain that view... they get it from us. When we put it out there that committed, experienced, and educated professionals are simply knuckle dragging liars, when we accept that, then that directly correlates to the type of respect we will earn in compensation and benefits.

We work hard to become a Custody Officers. In the State of Washington, we are put through the same level of scrutiny as any other Washington State Police Officer, County Deputy, or Law Enforcement professional to obtain this job. We should be proud of this accomplishment and endeavor to raising the image of our profession.

You may think this is only naivety speaking, but it it not. I am a former US Marine (1983-1987) and I can recall the days when the Corps had an image similar to the Corrections Officer... a bunch of immoral, knuckle dragging, uneducated drop-out, misfits. At some point that type of mentality took its toll on the morale of many Marines. The Marine Corps worked very hard to change that image and restore the honor that it deserved and earned for more than 200 years. Today, the image of a US Marine is as proud highly esteemed professionals. It is time that the image of Corrections makes that leap, it starts with me and I am determined to present myself to the public I serve in that professional law enforcement image, it should be the goal of all collectively.

We are not liars of any form, WE ARE PROFESSIONALS AND DAMN GOOD AT WHAT WE DO!

all4114all · 09-09-2008, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Greg
Also, there are many other positions in corrections which do not require taking a psych test. Perhaps you should consider aiming toward one of those positions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseneck

This is what I was hoping to find too, but nothing was open.

And quite honestly so many positions require or at least give you an advantage if you begin as a corrections officer.

all4114all · 09-09-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleNutz

WOW! I am a tad bit offended by this description of those that pass the Psych test. I am currently working toward completing my Masters in Forensic Psychology (my undergraduate education emphasis was in Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice and a certificate in Conflict Resolution). I am not a "LIAR"- I don't have any reason to be one, and it is nice to see that my seniors that I look up to as Custody Officers have a predetermined understanding of how and why I have become a Washington State Corrections Officer.

There are many other things I could be doing with my education and skill. I chose to become a Custody Officer because I come from a family of Law Enforcement Officers and professionals in serving the public good. It's now my turn to make a contribution... I never thought that those characterics made me a liar.

Well, many of those that I have seen that are "highly educated" lose sight of reality. So, I challenge you to step back and look at yourself HONESTLY. I am not saying you are one of the educated idiots, but it does seem that higher the education, the less common sense. And yes, I am educated.

It is as if when the brain fills with knowledge it loses people skills. Don't be offended by this post, just step back and look at DoubleNutz with fresh eyes.