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Careers: Police/Background check for crossing guard

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Expert: - 5/22/2008


Question
Hi Im in the process of filling out an application to be a school crossing guard, and I will be investigated by the Police Department. About 13 yrs ago when I was 18 I had a DUI and had my license suspended. Do I need to put that on the application? How far do the investigators go back? Will it hurt my chances of even getting to the interview part, and do they give a polygraph for crossing guards? I really want to be considered for the job.I have a family now and I don't know just how honest I should be about my past. It was a stupid mistake yrs ago that I don't want to pay for now.Thanks for any advice you can give

Answer
Hi Dawn,

Yes you need to put the DUI Arrest down on the Application, they will find it when they run the background check. But it should not really hurt your chances to be a crossing guard. It was 18 years ago and your not going to be driving the kids anywhere.

Everyone makes mistakes, even cops, and we realize that. By being honest about it, your showing them you have excepted the responsibility for it and have moved on past it. If getting arrested for DUI is the worst thing you've done in your life, your actually doing well. Be at peace with it and move on, it was as you say a "stupid" mistake, and we all make them. Just some get caught and some do not.

Be safe and good luck with your new job!!!! I hope you get it.


PS please do not forget to rate this answer. I do not get paid for all the time I spend and your ratings mean a lot to me. Thank You!!!

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Chris Wagoner

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

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I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

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I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

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I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

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Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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