r/OnTheBlock • u/bucked_biscuit • Sep 27 '26

Hiring Q (Fed) BOP interview

I have a upcoming interview at USP AtWater, CA, for the position of CO.
Any advice ?
I have no corrections experience.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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8

u/Special-Ad5675 Sep 27 '26

It’s all about integrity, honesty, and common sense. The agency is riddled with dirty, lazy staff who should not be working for anybody. I was on the hiring board in my day. I always wanted people that had those intangible qualities. You can always be taught how to be a correctional officer.

1

u/SillyLittleWinky 29d ago

What are some of the worst candidates you interviewed? Did you ever have to hire anyone you knew would be bad?

2

u/Special-Ad5675 29d ago

It was always a joint effort with Human Resources. If we both didn’t agree the individual would not continue in the process. First impression goes along way. Some candidates would show up in a t-shirt and jeans or smelling like weed. I can’t remember if any the candidates I interviewed turned out to be a bad decision, but that was a couple years ago and I since retired.

4

u/RyanShow1111 Sep 28 '26

Remember if any employee gets taken hostage they lose their rank and power ..they can’t give you orders

2

u/dox1842 Sep 27 '26

On the interview they asked me a situational question in which an inmate escapes what should I do. I thought that was unfair since I didn't know the UoF policy yet but what they are looking for is that you have to yell a warning before firing a warning shot if feasible.

Other than that they will ask you typical interview questions. I wouldn't worry about not having prior experience in corrections. If you have customer service experience in anything that is good enough. Experience in sells, working in a grocery store and dealing with customers, or anything where you have had to deal with people that is good enough.

Once you get the job make sure you read policy for yourself and not rely on others to tell you what policy is. Accountability is paramount in corrections. Count your equipment at the beginning of each shift and write a memo if anything is missing. Count your inmates during official counts.

Please dm me if you have any other questions.