Chapter 5. The Rest of the Tests

A few weeks later, Joan arrived for a Standard Physical Examination given by the MSP Surgeon. This involved routine testing such as blood work, blood pressure, vision, hearing, weight/height measurements, and reflexes. Basically it was the same kind of test one receives every year from their primary care physician. Joan thought the exam was over, but then the Surgeon told her he needed to see her bare breasts. She exclaimed, "WHY?" He simply said, "I have to make sure they're symmetrical." Little did she know, this was only the first of many problems she would encounter with him.

Joan's background checks were running simultaneously. One day an MSP Corporal came to interview her at home. He asked many questions, but she remembers these most vividly. First, "Do you date?" This really rubbed her the wrong way because it didn't seem like a fair criteria by which to rate someone. She responded, "Look...I have a daughter to take care of, I work full time, and I go to college on the weekends. I don't have time to even THINK about dating!" This comment seemed to calm him down, and he loosened up some. He asked for specific details about her troubled marriage and ensuing separation. Joan was truthful.

Then he had a question which Joan felt was a "set up". He asked, "So...if you walked into a bar room and two 6'2" guys are slugging it out...what would you do?" She must have taken too long to answer, because she could see he was impatient. She took a deep breath, and feeling defeated replied, "I don't know. Wouldn't I be better able to answer that question from the academy training?"

He wasn't satisfied, and returned to more questioning about Joan's marriage. Joan gave him additional details about the troubles. At that point, he took his notebook, waved it over his head while walking towards the door. He turned and pointed it at Joan while he barked, "If what you told me isn't true...you will NEVER be a Trooper!" Joan was worried that his write-up would not be favorable.

[NOTE: Her suspicions were well grounded because years later, this Corporal would come to admit that he, in fact, like many others were uncomfortable about women coming on the job. Joan felt that being a divorced young woman with a child caused an even higher level of discomfort. They later became friendly and laughed when he recalled talking to his wife about the questions he designed to trip her up. He told Joan that when his wife heard Joan's answers, she laughed at him and said, "Good for her! She got you!!" Furthermore, he divulged that he went to Joan's father-in-law assuming he'd get good dirt there. Alas, her father-in-law gave him nothing but praise and said that the troubles in the marriage were not Joan's fault. Still determined, he then went to Joan's ex-husband knowing he'd hear some negative story he could add to his report. To his surprise, Frank said, "If anybody can do it, Joan can."]

Finally came the Oral Interview. There were a few women gathered outside a room where the private interviews would take place. One of the women came out after her interview flustered and said, "Well, they asked me what I would do for my community if I became a Trooper. I just didn't know what to say, so I said I 'd bake a cake." Throwing her arms up in the air, "I just didn't know what else to say!"

It was Joan's turn and this interview was memorable for her. She was seated in front of three high ranking State Police officers. They were on an elevated platform and the Police Woman was sitting off to the side of them. As she sat down, the Police Woman winked at her. The interview proceeded in a routine way until the next question. "How do we know you're not coming on the job to find yourself a husband?" Joan was flabbergasted. She took a deep breath, and defensively blurted, "There would be so many easier ways to find a husband than to go through what I've been through to get here today!" The Police Woman gave her another wink and a thumbs up this time. The interview ended, but she was immediately escorted to yet another room. This was overwhelming, and Joan thought "Why am I going straight into another interview? Can't they just let me catch my breath?"

Thankfully the next person was a very professional and courteous Sergeant. He asked one or two questions very nicely. Joan didn't remember what he had asked her, but she replied, "I know I'll be meeting a lot of criminal people." He smiled, shook her hand, and said, "Miss Farrell, you'll also be meeting many wonderful people. WELCOME TO THE STATE POLICE!!!"