Expert: Dick Rogers - 2/24/2009

Question
My son applied to LAPD & the Sheriffs and was declined to continue with the hiring process. After the background investigation he received a letter declining him but that he can reapply in one year.  Both letters gave the same reason of employment and other general reasons that I can't remember.

He worked at Nordstroms for about 2 years and was terminated because of tardiness which he did put on his application.  Do you think that being terminated due to tardiness a good enough reason not to allow him to continue with the hiring process?  He is really is a good person, has followed that law and never been arrested.  What are his chances of ever being a police officer?  He really wants to be a police officer.  

Answer
Martha, you didn't indicate how old your son is...so, I will assume he is in his early twenties.  True enough, the tardiness thing probably was a red flag to the interviewers or the people processing his application (particularly since he was terminated for that).  I have had some experience with not the paper work of applying but with oral boards.  Here is what I would suggest.  If he truly wants to become a law enforcement officer, he should stick to the application process...meanwhile, I would apply myself at my present work and make an exemplary record so that when they are queried after another process, they will have nothing but good things to say. Your son is an example of the concept that no matter what your work experience is...it is just that "a work experience record"...something you cannot erase.  That doesn't mean it is a dead issue.  That is why I suggest he keep trying but at the same time plant the seeds that examiners will find fruitful during another application process.  If he has a clean record otherwise, I see no reason why he should not succeed.  My best wishes in this regard.