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Topic starter
Another black eye for Mapp. It turns out your average VIPD officer can't pass a 7th grade basic test. That, of course, isn't Mapp's fault. So, he promised 1K new jobs, teachers, govt. positions, Medicine field, AND Police Force. Out of the 1K 200 to 250 were said to be needed for the police. But who would accept a job that pays $30K while putting your life on the line? I mean, your partner may not be able to read, yet, has to help you uphold the law.
Mapp's great idea? BREAK a promise, and now is recommending to try and hire from the mainland "and other places". Now, if you do your due diligence, you may find locals that will ace a high school test and be qualified to be an officer. All it takes is a little effort. But to say one thing during the campaign, and then do this?
Now I understand clearly why many locals told me, no matter what, don't vote for Mapp.
Here is the link to the article in the Consortium Website:
This is just the beginning. Now, that was a school test. What will the outcome be if they give them a physical and mental test?
Is this how it is going to be? Find the easy way out during clutch time? Easier to pay, $12,500 for a exotic rental instead of paying $3K for a nice house and use the rest to fix the Governor's Residence? No qualified cops? Easy, import them....
End of my rant!
Posted : February 17, 2015 3:54 pm
the lack of educational ability is not a surprise if you've ever seen many a police report filled out by a local cop...
And then you get into the issue of the education that many receive (or don't receive, more to the point) in the public schools. Promote them and let them graduate when their abilities (and as shown on the level of results on standardized testing) are far below what they should be. Then the parents say...but his/her grades were good...
The police dept tried hiring off-island cops a few years ago, and most if not all did not work out on a short or long-term basis..
Posted : February 17, 2015 4:14 pm
The late Sidney Lee was the first Senator to advocate a collaboration with stateside police forces to "switch out" interested officers. That was decades ago and has been attempted several times but has been unsuccessful.
One longtime police officer I know here decided he'd had enough of the local PD several years back and went to Florida and signed up to be an officer there. Not much more than a year later he was back in the VIPD and said exactly the same s**t went on there as here so he decided he might as well come home. 😀
Posted : February 17, 2015 4:32 pm
Topic starter
Yes, rmb2830, it does say a lot about the situation in the schools (and I know there plenty of good schools in the VIs), but mostly, at home where education begins and ends. It also says a lot of the people in charge of VIPD. Hiring just for the sake of hiring.
How can you have law & order when the VIPD is in disarray? Well, it is up to Mappy to step it up. There are plenty of good locals, all he has to do is require the dept. to go look for them.
Posted : February 17, 2015 4:48 pm
..., all he has to do is require the dept. to go look for them.
And pay them a decent salary. You get what you pay for.
Posted : February 17, 2015 4:57 pm
He did not say where they were educated.
Posted : February 17, 2015 5:28 pm
Topic starter
He did not say where they were educated.
Where else?
But that is not the point. It is the fact that Mappy promised to recruit locally. It may be difficult but doable. Now he changes his tune and is looking outside. Lure them in with what incentives and money?
I am friends with a couple of officers in STX. They are 100% Crucians, in good physical help, and plenty smart. One even repairs computers on the side.
Again, it is breaking what was promised and not setting forth the grounds to correct the actual situation. Yes, he inherited the debacle, don't try and patch it for a temporary fix.
And pay them a decent salary. You get what you pay for.
That is what they pay, true, but, since when does that give you the green light to hire non-qualified recruits?
Not only the hospitals are in dire straits, add to that the Police Dept. Heatlth & Safety, two of the most important basic needs in society.
Posted : February 17, 2015 6:22 pm
I wasn't for or against Mapp as I wasn't here long enough to have a fact based opinion on the candidates last cycle. My question is, why is it Mapp's fault if there aren't enough qualified candidates in the territory. There may be plenty of folks who are qualified but how many WANT to be police officers.
I just feel like blaming whatever politician is in office for all of the territories woes is a bit off base.
I think pushing Mapp and his team to find solutions in the long term is a viable form of criticism. Short term doesn't seem like he may have any choice in the matter.
Posted : February 17, 2015 6:58 pm
Hey everybody: All VIPD officers did pass the 7th grade exam. That was a job requirement.
But most of the VIPD candidates in the last sitting were unable to pass the exam.
Posted : February 17, 2015 8:09 pm
Hey everybody: All VIPD officers did pass the 7th grade exam. That was a job requirement.
But most of the VIPD candidates in the last sitting were unable to pass the exam.
The art of reading comprehension can be SO elusive! 😀
Posted : February 17, 2015 8:25 pm
People in the VI are not all educated in VI public schools. Some are maybe "educated" partially or entirely in the States or on another island, maybe even another country. Mapp only said many locals that had applied and were administered the test did not pass.
Mapp knew that would be an issue when he promised jobs. I think many assumed they would get jobs regardless of their qualifications. They see it happening with many other positions, so were hoping for their turn. Another way corruption eats away at our society.
Posted : February 17, 2015 8:44 pm
Has anyone considered giving current VIPD officers a physical fitness test? Some of those officers look rather portly and definitely unable to give chase. Isn't maintaining a certain minimum fitness standard a requirement here?
Posted : February 18, 2015 11:24 am
Has anyone considered giving current VIPD officers a physical fitness test? Some of those officers look rather portly and definitely unable to give chase. Isn't maintaining a certain minimum fitness standard a requirement here?
And to think we don't even have a Krispy Kreme on island 🙁
Last time I looked lots of cops in the upper 48 seem rather rotund. It's not just an island thing.
(edited - Oh, I forgot the curse of the johnny cake!)
Posted : February 18, 2015 1:56 pm
Constant eating on the run, fried foods, fast foods.
Posted : February 18, 2015 3:53 pm
Has anyone considered giving current VIPD officers a physical fitness test? Some of those officers look rather portly and definitely unable to give chase. Isn't maintaining a certain minimum fitness standard a requirement here?
If you ever saw one of those "portly" officers (women included) actually giving chase, you may well be very surprised at their speed and agility!
Posted : February 18, 2015 4:03 pm
If you ever saw one of those "portly" officers (women included) actually giving chase, you may well be very surprised at their speed and agility!
I saw Chinnery run after a vehicle that made a moving violation on STT's Waterfront. Hilarious to see that girth running down the road!
Posted : February 18, 2015 4:08 pm
