Expert: Chris Wagoner - 11/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Commander Wagoner, I recently applied for a position with the Sarasota Police Department. I have had some issues in the past that I know will show up on my criminal background check. I applied online and was up front about my past on the application. It took about a week to get a response, but they replied back asking me to go take the TABE exam, so I did. I scored very well on the TABE exam and I am waiting for the comprehensive application to be sent to me now, but after reading some of the questions on here that you have answered I am a little worried. It cost me $50.00 to take this exam and I assumed surely they had already done my background check to make sure I was a candidate before asking me to take this exam. I have had two DUI's, with the most recent being about 5 years ago. On my first DUI (2001) I had only drank one alcoholic beverage and blew .052, but I was out on a very narrow road at night when a deer ran out in front of me causing me to lose control of the vehicle. Here in Georgia if there is an accident involved the limit is .052. I am definitely not making excuses, because I know I should not have had that one drink. Also back in the 1990's a had two misdemeanor poss. of marijuana charges. These regretful decisions were made back in my younger days and I am praying that they are overlooked. My Father is a Georgia State Patrolman and my Granddad is a retired GBI agent and I would love to follow in their footsteps, and hopefully have the opportunity to serve as a role model for the younger generation and maybe keep them from making the same mistakes today that I made yesterday. I have been really excited since I seemed to be moving forward in the application process, but now I'm not sure what to think. So I guess my question is, do they go ahead and run your background check before asking you to go take the TABE exam? Sorry for the lengthy letter, but thanks for your time.

ANSWER: Hi Jeremy,

They do not do a background check on you until later in the hiring process. Usually one of the last things. It cost a lot of money and man hours to do one the right way, and departments are not ready to commit that kind money unless you have passed almost all the other test.

Hope that helps with your answer..

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your response, so do you think I have a chance of getting the position or do you think that I'm headed to a dead end? I will still continue to pursue this opportunity no matter what, but I would appreciate your input?

Answer
Hi again Jeremy,

Most agencies that I know of require at least a 5 year gap between your last minor arrest and the time you can be considered for employment. As well as DUI is one they look at closely. The Misd. Possession charges  should not be a problem since they were so long ago, but they still are going to be looked at.

I would say if you came to our agency that I would be hesitant but not totally against hiring you, it would depend on your oral interview, and the rest of your background being clean. And also you having to take a drug screen test.

See your past indicates to an Police Agency that you are currently on the borderline of being what we call a "liability". Should they take a chance on you and hope you don't do any of those things again? They have no way of knowing. Thats why they want 5 years since the last one.

I would say you stand a fair chance of getting hired, but you will have to sell yourself in the oral board and stand out in the testing. You also could help yourself by getting some really good letters of reference to include in your application. If you can get them from cops that would be even better, or from government people.

I would say give it a shot, what have you got to lose but them telling you no, then your no worse off then you were when you started.

Hope that helps answer your question... be well and good luck.