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Careers: Police/Entry Level Separation and becoming an Officer

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Expert: - 1/4/2009


Question
Hi there,

I joined the National Guard when I was 18 and was in for about 5 months. I went to 5 payed RSP drills, but unfortunately I never made it to basic. About a month before my ship date word got out about my sexual orientation. I'm sure you know what happened next. I'm now the pround owner of an Entry Level Separation.

So now Im in college woking on my AS degree, and I've been seriously considering becoming an LEO. Because if I can't serve my country, I'd be more than happy to serve my community. And that should be all that matters right?

Well really I don't know. I know that applicants go through very intensive backround investigations, and Im more than certian that my DD214 as well as my payed drills will be found by the investigator.

So do you know if my ELS will be my downfall and make me an auto DQ? Do you think I'll get a chance to explain to the hiring board, or should I seek life elsewhere?

Thanks for any advice,

Mike

Answer
Mike,

I should put this on my profile right on top.  There are thousands of police departments in this country.  Every single one has its own hiring standards.  There are NO TWO departments that operate exactly the same.  There is no national hiring standards for police officers so it varies from city to city, county to county, and state to state.

I have no idea what "5 payed RSP drills" means but I understand that you were discharged from the military.  This will come up in your background investigaton if it gets that far.  I say this because only about 10 to 15% of applicants to police departments are actually hired and in some cities it is much lower than that.  If you are asked about the details of your seperaton from service all you have to do is tell the truth.  There are federal laws that prohibit discrimination in situations like this.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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