Expert: Jim Pastore - 12/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have no criminal record, or misdemeanors work at Wal-Mart 10 years have a associate degree in IT.



I was recently fired from a Franklin house of correction located 68th street milwaukee county WI . I was a correction officer i was only their a month, I didn’t get fired because stole or didn’t do anything was unlawful. The three reasons i got fired was the following.

1)   i have dyslexia  and had hard time keep my log book neat. I write slowly which makes it hard for me to keep a neat log book.
2)   I had a hard time adapting to Hoc job because there are a lot of gray areas when it comes to discipline inmates when working in the dorms.
3)   They said I looked scared of inmates but I was not it’s just my demeanor.

My question is this being fired as a correction officer, taking into consideration that  I was only work their for a month, and I didn’t get fired for do anything unlawful.  Should I just forget about being a police officer are my chances gone now?





ANSWER: Ryan,

   Sorry to hear that you got let go. During the probation period (in most states) an officer can be let go without cause, and have no recourse. Working as a correction officer and being a Police Officer (Patrolman) are very different in their duty descriptions. So with that said I would continue trying to get on a Police Department. I would try to go for Departments that are under civil service. The protection is much better. You didn't state your age, I would think that most Departments would overlook things at such a young age. Hope this helped somewhat.

Good Luck

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am 37 live in wisconsin in wisconsin thier have been people in thier 40s that joined. Thank you for answering my question

Answer
Ryan,

 Once you hit 40 yrs old you are protected from age discrimination so they cannot turn you down due to age. However prior to age 40 they can if they have as some Departments use to have an age limit of 35. I'm not sure what the age requirements are in Wisconsin though.

Jim