Anybody got any info about Virginia State Police?

**rob84** · 10-16-08, 11:06 PM

Finally decided to put in the application a few days ago. Ive always been turned off by the live in academy, but they are looking more and more attractive to me now a days. Any info would be awesome, thanks in advance.

**Jks9199** · 10-17-08, 12:10 AM

You watched the news lately?

VSP delayed their next academy class, and rumors of a pay CUT are floating. And they ain't well paid to begin with -- especially in NOVA. Despite a pay differential...

They're a good, but strict organization. You must live in the district where you work. Opportunities for advancement and career development exist. Retirement SUCKS. No early out; there's a reason you see ancient looking troopers working I-66.

**bayern** · 10-17-08, 08:27 AM

One of the questionsthey ask on the writtenexam is "Would you give your wife/mother a speeding ticket?" If you amnswer "NO" you flunked the test.

**Xiphos** · 10-17-08, 08:37 AM

VSP's a good organization. Like JKS said though they aren't hiring for a couple years. You should look around some of the local agencies in the state, there's a lot of good ones.

**rob84** · 10-17-08, 11:38 AM

Thanks for the info everyone!

**Captain America** · 10-17-08, 12:23 PM

Countybear can vouch for the Virginia State Police being a professional , courteous organization.

**jmur5074** · 10-17-08, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by bayern

One of the questionsthey ask on the writtenexam is "Would you give your wife/mother a speeding ticket?" If you amnswer "NO" you flunked the test.

REALLY??

So they want to hire a bunch of liars?

**rob84** · 10-17-08, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

REALLY??

So they want to hire a bunch of liars?

Thats what I was thinking.

**Pudge** · 10-17-08, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

REALLY??

So they want to hire a bunch of liars?

No kidding. And if it is the kind of place they want you to write chickenshit like that, ya don't need or want to be there.

**rob84** · 10-17-08, 11:23 PM

That does make me think. Who in their right mind would write their mom or wife? Thats a guaranted straight ride to hell.

**Xiphos** · 10-17-08, 11:26 PM

I think it was an attempt at cracking a joke that Virginia State Troopers write their own mother's traffic tickets.

I count a VSP as a friend and have many work associations with others. They are all outstanding folks who do great work. VSP has gotten the reputation of being knuckleheads who write cops from several well publicized incidents.

Just like we don't want to be judged by the corrupt cop the majority and many fine Troopers of VSP shouldn't be judged by the actions of a couple knuckleheads.

I would tell anyone interested that it's a fine organization that's no better or worse than most of the others out there.

**rob84** · 10-17-08, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

I think it was an attempt at cracking a joke that Virginia State Troopers write their own mother's traffic tickets.

I count a VSP as a friend and have many work associations with others. They are all outstanding folks who do great work. VSP has gotten the reputation of being knuckleheads who write cops from several well publicized incidents.

Just like we don't want to be judged by the corrupt cop the majority and many fine Troopers of VSP shouldn't be judged by the actions of a couple knuckleheads.

I would tell anyone interested that it's a fine organization that's no better or worse than most of the others out there.

I didnt think about it being a joke, ill take that into consideration as well. But, as mentioned eairler, apparantly they are not hiring for a few years now. I just got my letter saying that they got my application, and would be notified of the next available test date.

**Xiphos** · 10-17-08, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by rob84

I didnt think about it being a joke, ill take that into consideration as well. But, as mentioned eairler, apparantly they are not hiring for a few years now. I just got my letter saying that they got my application, and would be notified of the next available test date.

Are you in the process for Fairfax County Sheriff or are you working there and applying elsewhere?

If you are applying for the Sheriff, why not the PD?

**rob84** · 10-17-08, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

Are you in the process for Fairfax County Sheriff or are you working there and applying elsewhere?

If you are applying for the Sheriff, why not the PD?

Sorry, thats outdated, I need to remove it. I applied with the PD and wasnt choosen. I turned in the background packet for the Sheriff a while ago, and am still waiting for a polygraph.

**Jks9199** · 10-18-08, 03:48 PM

Fairfax County got hit hard by the latest financial mess. You can pretty much count on them being very slow in hiring for either the Sheriff's Office or PD for the next year... They won't freeze completely, because they'll have some folks to replace as they retire or leave -- but there won't be a lot of hiring. Probably going to be the same with Prince William, too.

As we've said -- VSP is a good agency, though their pay and retirement suck. Depending on where you're assigned, you'll have a chance to do a lot of police work -- or work a lot of crashes on the interstates. Pros do include (for now) a take home, and starting your shift from your driveway. Cons include lower pay (especially in more urban areas) compared to a lot of locals agencies, having to live in the district where you work -- which means probably moving for some promotions, and being sent on short notice to other parts of the state.

**rob84** · 10-19-08, 09:05 PM

That pretty much slows down all of my options for now. I have the application filled out for Prince William right in front of me, ready to be mailed. (Although I could probably go hand it in myself, I work in the same building as their personnel bureau.) I heard that Stafford has slowed down alot of hiring as well. Oh well, Ive been actively applying, and testing since I was 21, I'm 24 now and still no luck......I think waiting another year wont hurt me to much

Thanks for all the input Jks!, I really apriciate it.

**Xiphos** · 10-19-08, 09:10 PM

Dude, look around. There are some great places to be a cop in this state.

Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield.

Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Suffolk, Chesapeake

Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem City, Blacksburg, Radford, VA Tech

There's a lot more but those are all I've heard good things about at one time or another. Lots of opportunities.

You need to get a decent job and hold it. Job hopping looks irresponsible. If you don't have military or college, start working on college.

Get a police officer examination study guide at the bookstore and study it.

Good luck.

**Jks9199** · 10-19-08, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by rob84

That pretty much slows down all of my options for now. I have the application filled out for Prince William right in front of me, ready to be mailed. (Although I could probably go hand it in myself, I work in the same building as their personnel bureau.) I heard that Stafford has slowed down alot of hiring as well. Oh well, Ive been actively applying, and testing since I was 21, I'm 24 now and still no luck......I think waiting another year wont hurt me to much

Thanks for all the input Jks!, I really apriciate it.

Hand it in personally. Make the personal connection with some of them. Ask to talk to someone 'cause you're interested. It'll help move you from "Applicant #1234" to "Rob" -- which might help you get through the process. It won't make up for any shortcomings -- but it might make the difference when it's time to sort all the "best qualified" applicants to fit the number of academy slots.

And don't give up. No matter how tight budgets get, there'll always be some hiring, as some folks will retire or leave agencies for whatever reason. (We just had someone leave unexpectedly, for example... and a month ago, I wouldn't have guessed we'd have that particular opening.) If your application isn't on file, you've got no chance.

**Terminator** · 10-20-08, 12:08 AM

I went through the hiring process with VSP in my senior year in college (I was 21-22). I made it passed the initial application screening, the physical agility test, and the written test. I was rejected after the oral board interview. It was great experience. There interview questions had nothing directly to do with law enforcement, which at the time completely through me off.

They are VERY strict. They made all of us testing that day line up and march double time to the track as they yelled at us...lol.

When I applied there were approximately 2,000 people applying for one Trooper position.

**bayern** · 10-20-08, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

I think it was an attempt at cracking a joke that Virginia State Troopers write their own mother's traffic tickets. .

Kinda - BUT.....I have known two officers personally who 1. A Deputy Sheriff working traffic did in fact write his mother a speeding ticket; and 2. A City officer wrote his wife an inspection violation and she appeared in court. He attempted to dismiss the charge, but his wife insisted to be heard; she pled not guilty and told the ]Judge the car was registered in her husband name(the cop). The Judge fined the Cop. I was in court that day and it (the court room) was in an uproar. Even the Judge was laughing.

Really though, Va State Police has a history of writing other officers from various agencies speeding tickets, while the offender was on duty in marked cars. I think its a No Tolerance police they have. You call it in, you write it. No exceptions. Just what I read on other sites.