VA Police

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 16:57

Anybody know much about the Veteran's Administration Police? I know it's a lot of hospital security type work, but does anybody have any insight as to the day to day work?

blueiron · 07-27-2012, 18:25

Are they still unarmed in some or most facilities? I do know that they aren't part of the Fed LERS and that is a huge drawback for many.

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

Are they still unarmed in some or most facilities? I do know that they aren't part of the Fed LERS and that is a huge drawback for many.

They are armed (Beretta 92Ds) in every location; that went through a few years ago. I think they changed to be part of LERS around the same time, but I could be wrong on that.

Detectorist · 07-27-2012, 19:15

They are armed.

I had one stop me one night from leaving since it took them so long to find a doctor. I insisted on leaving but this VA Cop was bigger and armed. It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. He was supposed to stop a psych case, who was able to slip through. Cop apologized. No biggie.

I've been treated at 6 VA facilities. They've all been armed.

Vigilant · 07-27-2012, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detectorist

They are armed.

I had one stop me one night from leaving since it took them so long to find a doctor. I insisted on leaving but this VA Cop was bigger and armed. It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. He was supposed to stop a psych case, who was able to slip through. Cop apologized. No biggie.

I've been treated at 6 VA facilities. They've all been armed.

Sincere thanks for your service.

PattonT · 07-27-2012, 20:36

All will be armed with the 92D's, pay will be decent,benefits are top notch, morale is terrible. If you want to "police" then find another job. Paperwork sucks, Lt's and above will have their head up their ass so far you don't even want to speak to them. You will not be covered under LEOSA. You might get average training and classes, just depends on your command. Budgets are spent on neat stuff your chief will not let you touch. I think you get the idea. If you need a job go for it, if your looking for a better LE job then keep looking, unless things are really bad.

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by PattonT

All will be armed with the 92D's, pay will be decent,benefits are top notch, morale is terrible. If you want to "police" then find another job. Paperwork sucks, Lt's and above will have their head up their ass so far you don't even want to speak to them. You will not be covered under LEOSA. You might get average training and classes, just depends on your command. Budgets are spent on neat stuff your chief will not let you touch. I think you get the idea. If you need a job go for it, if your looking for a better LE job then keep looking, unless things are really bad.

Thanks. I'm a federal correctional officer currently, at GL-07 paygrade (one above the entry-level VA police officer position), but looking at the possibility of getting out of the fence.

ETA: We're covered by LEOSA; how the heck are VA Police not covered? They have statutory powers of arrest, and carry weapons.

blueiron · 07-27-2012, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJStudent

Thanks. I'm a federal correctional officer currently, at GL-07 paygrade (one above the entry-level VA police officer position), but looking at the possibility of getting out of the fence.

ETA: We're covered by LEOSA; how the heck are VA Police not covered? They have statutory powers of arrest, and carry weapons.

The VA Police itself was an oddball agency. They could be armed, but the facility administrator had to approve it and as a result, many officers carried only Mace at one time. They weren't part of LERS either. They were frankly treated like security guards, because they were initially only a guard force and they were specifically exempted by USC from Federal LE benefits.

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

The VA Police itself was an oddball agency. They could be armed, but the facility administrator had to approve it and as a result, many officers carried only Mace at one time. They weren't part of LERS either. They were frankly treated like security guards, because they were initially only a guard force and they were specifically exempted by USC from Federal LE benefits.

Wow. I know a lot got changed around 2001 or so; I'll have to look into that now.

blueiron · 07-27-2012, 21:16

I called a Fed buddy and neither the VA Police, nor the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, are covered by LERS. There was legislation in Congress to change that, but it went no where.

blueiron · 07-27-2012, 21:19

Here is the legislation that since 2005, has been trying to get the PFPA and them under LERS.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr327

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

I called a Fed buddy and neither the VA Police, nor the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, are covered by LERS. There was legislation in Congress to change that, but it went no where.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

Here is the legislation that since 2005, has been trying to get the PFPA and them under LERS.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr327

Thanks; I appreciate it. I just think it's crazy that we as COs get it, but they don't. They have a LOT broader authority than we do.

blueiron · 07-27-2012, 21:26

Check with the Dept's of the Air Force and the Navy. They are both hiring civilian police officers.

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueiron

Check with the Dept's of the Air Force and the Navy. They are both hiring civilian police officers.

I shall. I just saw a closer opening with VA Police than USAF or USN. Plus, most USAF and USN openings are VRA only, and (even though I'm working on 7 years ARNG) I'm not eligible for those the last time I checked. My only active-duty time was for training and two weeks of federal disaster relief. The rest was state active duty.

PattonT · 07-27-2012, 21:33

I dont know what things are like at your current job but VA Police really isn't a bad gig if you don't mind being treated like security all the time.
You'll do things like drive a shuttle bus around, do a billion security checks in one day, write about 10 parking tickets that you have no idea where they go and what they do, close off and open parking areas, unlock doors for people and get yelled at because your chief was supposed to have told you to unlock it earlier, escort granny to the bathroom, & etc

You will get into a fight about once a month, a foot chase once a month, get threatened daily, watch a lot of security cameras and not believe what some idiot did in front of them, get asked to lunch by some very PHAT lady friends, do at least one veh vs parked veh case a day, and think about your next job every minute your at work.

CJStudent · 07-27-2012, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by PattonT

I dont know what things are like at your current job but VA Police really isn't a bad gig if you don't mind being treated like security all the time.
You'll do things like drive a shuttle bus around, do a billion security checks in one day, write about 10 parking tickets that you have no idea where they go and what they do, close off and open parking areas, unlock doors for people and get yelled at because your chief was supposed to have told you to unlock it earlier, escort granny to the bathroom, & etc

You will get into a fight about once a month, a foot chase once a month, get threatened daily, watch a lot of security cameras and not believe what some idiot did in front of them, get asked to lunch by some very PHAT lady friends, do at least one veh vs parked veh case a day, and think about your next job every minute your at work.

Sounds like you have some insider perspective there, lol.

Patchman · 07-28-2012, 05:36

itsnitro · 07-28-2012, 10:23

....nvm

CJStudent · 07-28-2012, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnitro

....nvm

USAF96815 · 07-29-2012, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by PattonT

You will not be covered under LEOSA.

That is incorrect.

VA Police are covered. I know that for a fact due to one my AF buddies is a Chief at a VA facilty.

k9medic · 07-29-2012, 06:03

Interesting...

The program that I fly with has a VA facility next door to it. It's one of the larger VA hospitals from what I have been told.

I know a few of the guys there. They all carry a G22 and we have discussed what the job entails. They are covered by LEOSA. Their equipment is nice (these guys patrol the parking lot in a Tahoe and a new Charger).

For them it's like working in a small city and considering the full time population of the city I work in is less than 1000 I'd agree.

CJStudent · 07-29-2012, 07:56

Thanks for all the info, guys. I think I'm going to put in for it (as well as some other positions recommended) and see what happens. The worst they can do is tell me "no", and I'm still in a Federal LE position, still getting time towards retirement.

Ajon412 · 07-29-2012, 10:59

I interviewed with them back in Nov of 2001. I was retiring from my prior agency and gave them a look. Back then, as mentioned, not all the facilities allowed their officers to be armed. I'm glad to see that it has changed. IIRC, their starting pay was in the mid to upper 30's. I'm not sure what it is now. I had to pass, as I was hired by another agency....CJS, good luck with your decision and keep us posted....

PattonT · 07-29-2012, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF96815

That is incorrect.

VA Police are covered. I know that for a fact due to one my AF buddies is a Chief at a VA facilty.

I hope your correct. Those guys deserve it. There is nothing worse than being out there unarmed because no matter what you do people can tell your a cop.

I'm sending you a PM.

PattonT · 07-29-2012, 12:08

Oh and the academy is 5 wks in Little Rock. You are allowed to work before going to the academy though.