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OPINIONS
Paul Harvey: Retired law officers would make great CPS workers
I should have written this a few years ago. I have been retired from law enforcement and other stressful jobs for more than 10 years. I was a Huntington police officer and federal drug enforcement officer. I was case manager for Green Acres and supervised group homes. I have a master's degree from Marshall University in rehab/counseling.
These look like pretty good credentials for a Child Protective Services worker. However, CPS supervisors did not feel it met their criteria. They seemed to lean toward young females with social work degrees who would work for less pay.
I was interviewed in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Kanawha counties because I was on the top of the placement list. On one occasion, a relatively young female supervisor looked at me with a doubting gaze. I said, "Don't let this gray hair fool you. I am very capable." She actually replied, "Well, I am concerned." At that time, I knew I was out of the running.
All in all, I was interviewed for more than 30 different jobs for the state of West Virginia, with no success.
It seems strange that one can serve in a political position while being over the age of 80 but cannot be hired if they are over 70. Of course, you are not told you are too old. There just happen to be other applicants more qualified. Duh.
I am certain every law-abiding citizen feels much sorrow for Brenda Yeager for the suffering she went through and would love to be the judge and jury for those who took her life. No matter what sentence the court gives them, it will not bring her back to her family. I pray that the West Virginia lawmakers will provide money to make a safer set of guidelines and equipment for our dedicated employees.
A few years back, I served as a CASA volunteer worker. We were assigned to work with a CPS worker, but I never did meet mine. I would make house calls, by myself, day and evenings. As you know, most domestic violence takes place in the evening hours. The CPS workers did not work evenings.
I presented all of my cases to a circuit judge, without a CPS worker, and he accepted my recommendations.
Bottom line: I believe retired law enforcement officers would make great CPS workers. In reality, every law enforcement officer is a social worker.
Paul Harvey is a Barboursville resident.
