[quote=Gunslinger][quote=CA renter][quote=Gunslinger]As a recently retired member if the LAPD. I have to step in and point out there is in fact a huge amount of nepotism in the public sector particularly law enforcement and the fire department. The Good Ol’ Boys Club you speak of is alive and well. I don’t know of another career where there is a greater family tradition of multi-generational employment. Recruits from career police and fire families know how the game is played and what they need to do to get through the hiring process. They have de facto in house coaches. With regards to the quality yes there are plenty of bright but not highly educated officers. However, I increasingly felt we were in the minority. I looked back on my service as an honor and a privilege but was glad to take retirement as soon as I was able.[/quote]
“Coaching” by a parent is VERY different from nepotism. People from all walks of life advise their kids if their children want to follow in their footsteps. Not sure that more children follow their parents into police or fire work than in any other profession (doctors, lawyers, accountants, people in construction, etc. often have multiple generations in the same industry as well).
I would also add that anyone without family in police or fire would get the same advice if they were to ask around at their local fire/police stations, particularly if they found the right mentors, which isn’t too difficult. It’s not a matter of being related; it’s a matter of seeking out the information. Yes, it’s easier to ask dad or mom, but a motivated candidate will volunteer, ride along, and do whatever it takes to get the same information and advice.
And I know of three different kids whose fathers were chiefs in small city, large city, and large county fire departments. All of them wanted to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, and all were “coached” as to what they should do to qualify for the jobs. *Not one* of them was able to get a position in their fathers’ departments, even though their fathers were either #1 or #2 in the entire departments. So, no, nepotism is NOT an issue in public service; at least not that I have ever seen…and I’ve lived in and around it my whole, entire life.[/quote]
I’m sorry. I guess my 30 years on the force as a 3rd generation cop mean nothing. You know better than I. Nevermind.
BTW, you get my kid into your department and I’ll get yours into mine never happens either.[/quote]
Not sure why you seem to feel offended. What you had described is coaching, not nepotism. Are you suggesting that there is a problem with actual nepotism, and that it is more prevalent in the public sector than in the private sector? Are you suggesting that you’ve seen inferior candidates being hired over more qualified candidates because they had a family member who insisted on hiring them? One would think that the union would’ve had something to say about that since most public employees would greatly resent their bosses’ inept kids being hired on (and, God forbid, promoted) just because of their connections. I see lots of problems with that. Because of the unions, it would be much more difficult to have a culture of nepotism than in the private sector where employees have very little power over these things.
Now, I’m not saying it’s never happened anywhere in public service, but I’ve not seen any real evidence of it. Again, I’ve been in and around it my whole entire life. I have worked in public service, myself (also third generation, and my father and I both worked for very large public employers in L.A. — different employers, and no family “assistance” of any kind). I have lots of family (and friends, acquaintances, etc.) in municipal, county, state, and federal agencies as well, including my husband who is also a long-time public employee. Let me reiterate: I have NOT seen problems with nepotism in public service…it is certainly much less of a problem than what I’ve seen in the private sector. My DH and I discussed this thread last night, and he agrees that it is not an issue that he’s ever seen, either. That’s all I am saying. If you’ve had different experiences, I respect that; but it does not diminish what I have seen and experienced myself (or my husband, other relatives, friends, etc. — and we’ve all talked over the years about public service, hiring standards, best ways to get in, etc.). In the many discussions I’ve had with public employees about the different paths to public service, nepotism has NEVER ONCE come up as a way to get in, nor as a problem that keeps people out.
Additionally, I have never personally seen anyone hired by a department because their powerful relative in another department/agency entered into some kind of quid pro quo agreement with someone there. Not saying it has never happened in history, just saying that this is no more of an issue in public service than it is in the private sector. With respect to the people mentioned in my previous post, NONE OF THEM got favorable treatment in ANY department.
Let’s review how this topic got started: Another poster above (who has never worked directly in public service, and whose consistently clueless remarks shine a bright light on his ignorance) claimed that nepotism is the way most public employees get a government job. That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard about this topic. I was refuting that, and I stand 100% behind what I have stated.
Here’s the quote; you tell me if you think there’s any truth to it at all:
[quote=paramount]
And speaking of being connected, isn’t that how most get govt jobs to begin with…?
The govt has the most discriminatory hiring practices of all employers in the US IMO.
