You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- Law Enforcement
- Careers: Police
- Background ?
Careers: Police/Background ?
Advertisement
Question
Hi,
I know that the background checks can make or break your police application, and Im in the process of filling out my LONG application waiting to hear from my investigator. In this application it asks if I have ever applied to another county. I was DQ'd automatically based on the time frame of my past marijuana usage, and I dont want to write it on my application. Will they contact every county? is there a database? how does that part of the background work? Thanks for your time!!
Rachel:
A difficult choice awaits you here. If you fail to disclose this, and it's discovered, even a year from now, you can be immediately terminated for cause for lying on the application. Think long and hard on that.
There usually isn't a nationwide database or anything like that, but if the county is close by, chances are, eventually, the information will come out that you applied there and were DQ'd.
Lastly, if it's in the same state, you'll be DQ'd again for the same thing.
Jason
Related Articles
- How Long Does it Take for a Trademark Application to be Registered
- Reasonable Follow-Up Procedures - Law Enforcement Careers
- The All-Important Passport - Destination Wedding
- M.S. Forstadt Explains: How I Got Into Graduate School (the Application Process)
- My SSDI Experience - Reader Stories: Applying for SSDI
Answers by Expert:
Jason Grabill
Expertise
General Maryland Law Enforcement, Maryland Law & Traffic Law, the Court System. How to start the process to become a Police Officer, different Police careers, the Interview process, General Police career questions
Experience
18 Years experience as a local and Federal Police officer. In addition to working "the road", I've worked as an Academy Instructor, Law Digest Compiler for Police Department, Community Policing coordinator, Department Gang officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and Advanced Accident Investigator. I've also served on the SWAT/SRT team, and currently work for the Department of Army Police (Federal Civilian) at Fort Detrick, Frederick Md, as a Sergeant. I'm Certified as a Police and Emergency Medical dispatcher through the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
Organizations
Police Marksman Association
Fraternal Order of Police
Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Prince Georges County Maryland Municipal Police Academy, Western Maryland Police Academy
Radar, Portable Breath Test, PR-24 Police Baton, ASP, Police Mountain Bike Certified. Maryland Police Training Commission Basic Instructor Certified.
CALEA Certified Field Training Officer (FTO), Advanced Criminal Investigator School, Advanced Crash Investigator School, National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Certified Emergency Police Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Telecommunications Operator.
Awards and Honors
Police Officer of the Year, Prince Georges County Municipal Police Chiefs Association (1995).
City of District Heights Police Officer of the Year, 1995.
Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, 1995 (National Association Chiefs of Police).
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.