Expert: Chris Wagoner - 1/20/2008

Question
QUESTION:  As soon as I got out of the Marines I applied at a Texas Police Department . I had been in a youth program with them from the ages of 13-16. Since being 13 I only wanted to be a Texas Police Officer, I joined the Marines to make myself look better to them. Swear I really did. Well they didn't accept me. I was 37 out of 1300 on the written test and 2 on the physical, didn't matter. Here is what I admitted to my background investigator during the questionaire. I told him that just before I joined the Marine Corp I sold a small quantity of pot to a woman that I worked with in the break-room. I bought the pot for 20 bucks and sold it for 20 bucks. I was 17 years old and just wanted to get rid of it. I told him this because I felt it was no big deal and didn't want to lie because I knew a polygraph was coming. At first he said no big deal told me he saw no minimum standard violations, shook my hand and sent me away. Couple days go by an he calls me and tells me I'm disqualified for life because of that. He also said he got me on an ethics violation but didn't elaborate about that. My question is this. Wouldn't they like to have someone that told the truth versus someone who would lie? That's all I have ever done. I wasn't caught doing it I admitted it. I have smoked pot about 7 or 8 times. This I also told. I have sinced called other departments and they said that it wasn't an automatic disqualifier. So in your opinion, will anybody hire me? Do I have a fair shot and if not right now what can I do to make myself look better? This is my dream, and I will work very hard for many years if I have too. I'm 23 so I have time. As you can imagine I'm crushed. However I do not believe that Investigator was entirely truthful with me. What say you?

ANSWER: Hi Wade,

First, thank you for your service to the country and its people. From an old Army 3rd ID man.

Second, I do not think your admission should be a disqualifier. Honesty is the best policy and your admission is not what I would call earth shattering.

Do not despair. Your service and background should not prevent you from being hired, it may just take you a bit. I would look at smaller agencies first as they are more likely to allow you to explain things and have fewer applicants.

Do not give up, you just need to make sure to continue to be honest and try a few more departments. With 1300 applicants, they can choose from many, more than likely some without any blemishes in their background. SO you can see their basis.

Hang in there, and keep trying. You may want to look at other States also. I would not give up yet.

Good luck!! And Semper Fi!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  I have looked at other states and have recieved positive responses as well. Here is another question for you. If after a while 5 or 6 departments have turned me down will I start to look really bad to anyone else? Do you think that they won't even give me the time of day after seeing so many other departments turn me down? Also, can you give some tips on how to make my application and background info look better when I turn it in? I'm not asking what to write down but how should I present it? If I was handing it to you what would make you happy and if you can give an example of some applications you have liked?          What I have done so far is laser copied all the papers they wanted ( credit report, military papers and so on). The laser copy makes the words look better and it prints on better paper , also cost me 15 bucks. What about binders or folders? Any advice would be appreciated.          In referance to my other question, have you ever seen someone with that admission get accepted? Thanks

Answer
Hi again Wade,

I understand your frustration and even a bit of anger, but remember, when looking at applicants, the department has many to choose from (the larger the agency the more they have usually) when they have some with minor background problems and some without that are equally qualified, you can understand them taking the ones without any problems.

As for applying to various departments, unless the departments are very close to each other, there is no central applicant registry that I know of, so for a department to know that you applied to another, mostly they rely on you to tell them, if you understand what I mean.

Hang in there, I know you said in your other follow-up that you are working and college is not right for you right now, but I will tell you that more and more departments require a college degree now and many require it for promotions. SO think about it.. It would help a lot.

Hang in there and keep plugging..