Expert: Eric Potts - 7/30/2008

Question
Hello Eric, thank you for taking the time out to review and answer this question.

My goal is to become a police officer here in california.  Now I do have some minor issues in my background which may cause a problem but I am not hiding anything and plan on being fully and completely honest.

About 2 years ago, I had paid for sex through an online escort service.  This happened in a 2 month time frame.  Now even though you were paying for "an escort" I know it is still prostitution.  This happened 6 times.  I have never done it again and will never do it again because I cannot express the amount of remorse I feel for doing such an act.  I dont know if I need more time before I apply or if this is 100% disqualifying no matter what, which will be heart breaking.  Please let me know how you feel on this situation.  I am graduating with my B.S in criminal justice in the fall and hope this will also help my chances.  I am also in an internship with a local pd.  Thank you for your time

Answer
Don,

I'm not sure how to answer this question. To be honest with you, if I was doing a background check on you and this turned up we would disqualify you.

I don't believe this is a question that is asked in my background, but it may come up when speaking with references, friends, family, co-workers etc...

You have to remember this, if there are two people going for the job and your qualifications are equal, this incident may swing the decision in the other persons favor.

I don't see any where in your question that you were arrested for this, the only advice I can give you is Honesty is good, however, if there was no arrest, no further acts such as this on your part, and you are not asked about it, don't offer it and go from there.