A couple of years ago I went through the academy at a very large department that is currently under investigation by the federal government for grossly violating employee civil rights. During orientation we had to sign a contract that said if we decided to quit after graduation, but before 3 years, we had to pay them back something like $335,000.00 for our training. Because of the events going on at the department that went unchecked, I didn't feel I could continue working there. I didn't want to be there and it really put a bad taste in my mouth for law enforcement in general...it would have been dangerous to continue on with that attitude so early in my career, my heart and head were no longer in the game, I also left in time to keep from owing almost half a million dollars.
I have had time to cool off and have a strong desire to go back to law enforcement (not the same department). However, I have recently been asked to give a deposition(I thinks that's what she called it) to the DOJ regarding my experience there and I only have a few months left to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.
Problem is, most departments require you to not be involved in a lawsuit when applying...and this department is notorious for fighting any suits for years...like up to 10...which is why I let it go before...It wasn't worth the time and stress involved...and you never know if you will win. However, with their current DOJ problem...I now feel I will be taken more seriously...before, I felt the police dept would be given the benefit of the doubt and I would be seen as a disgruntled employee looking for a paycheck...and frankly...some of the stuff I didn't think anyone would believe, I couldn't even believe it at the time.
Questions: (I plan on asking the prospective dept these Q's too, but I'm curious to see other views as well)
1. How would it look to another department if you have filed a legitimate civil rights violation against a previous department?
2. Would a lawsuit even count if it's not against you?
3. Does it look bad that I waited to the last minute to do anything about it? (I actually thought my all rights expired after 1 year...most have except one).
Sorry for the long post...thanks if you read it all!
I have had time to cool off and have a strong desire to go back to law enforcement (not the same department). However, I have recently been asked to give a deposition(I thinks that's what she called it) to the DOJ regarding my experience there and I only have a few months left to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.
Problem is, most departments require you to not be involved in a lawsuit when applying...and this department is notorious for fighting any suits for years...like up to 10...which is why I let it go before...It wasn't worth the time and stress involved...and you never know if you will win. However, with their current DOJ problem...I now feel I will be taken more seriously...before, I felt the police dept would be given the benefit of the doubt and I would be seen as a disgruntled employee looking for a paycheck...and frankly...some of the stuff I didn't think anyone would believe, I couldn't even believe it at the time.
Questions: (I plan on asking the prospective dept these Q's too, but I'm curious to see other views as well)
1. How would it look to another department if you have filed a legitimate civil rights violation against a previous department?
2. Would a lawsuit even count if it's not against you?
3. Does it look bad that I waited to the last minute to do anything about it? (I actually thought my all rights expired after 1 year...most have except one).
Sorry for the long post...thanks if you read it all!
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