Expert: William Payne - 5/11/2009

Question
Hi Mr. Payne. I got to the portion of my background investigation process for LAPD, however, I hit a snag because of background issues. This was the first agency I applied to in which I was 20 at the time and I was inexperienced in the process. When it came to the pre polygraph where it asks about your history in doing certain things, I wanted to be completely honest. However, in doing so it may have had adverse effects. For instance, I would say yes to things I was uncertain, and give a might have answer. For example there was a question where it asks if I ever discriminated against someone because of their race, ethnicity, sex, etc... I said yes with the explanation of I might have as a kid because kids don't know any better. I can't really recall ever doing it but there's a possibility. I also mentioned many things I did in elementary school. That's how I answered a lot of questions with the intent of holding nothing back and being honest. I managed to pass the pre background and the polygraph. However, my B.I. questioned me again regarding the pre-polygraph. My BI went over every yes answer I did and wanted an explanation. I did try to be honest but my BI wouldn't believe me at times so I was forced to sometimes "incriminate" myself. Like for instance I said I glanced at some house windows from afar not necessarily looking for anything. But my BI insisted that I wouldn't have looked unless I was looking for something and therefore deduced me as a peeper. I would say not really and sometimes second guess myself if I really was or not but my BI would say its either you are or you aren't, and therefore I would be falsely admitting to peeping. There was a few questions where it ended up being that way. Also, most of the things I mentioned about my past were things I did in elementary, like bullying at age 8. I ended up telling my BI many things I did in elementary and she wanted to know it. The only reason I succumbed was because I was intimidated, inexperienced, and my BI said it would help my process to admitting some of those things because it wasn't a big deal. Now I find out that my background has issues and I can't take my medical. It probably was from the stuff I falsely admitted, or my BIs way of wording her report to make certain things seem worse than they actually were. During the whole interview, I contained myself from arguing my defense because my BI was putting my job in her hands and I didn't want to upset her in any way. I know that I have a clean background, never doing drugs or getting drunk, and pride myself in my integrity.

If somehow I get DQed for stuff that I falsely admitted, would it affect me in trying to get a job at other agencies? I know that what I admitted will be on record so other agencies would look and see that I said certain things. I just want to know if it would greatly affect my chance of not getting hired at other places because of what I admitted to not really doing, and also what could I do about it? And have you come across someone with my situation?

I definitely have learned from this experience  and it has made me more aware and mentally stronger. I for sure will for sure not as be weak minded and stand strong to my answers next time.

Answer
Chris,

1. Most agencies will not know you applied anywhere else unless you tell them.

2. Never admit to doing anything unless you actually did it.

3. Prejudice is an attitude, which is not against the law. Discrimination is an illegal act, which is against the law. As an 8 year old, I would imagine that you may have learned some prejudicial behavior, but I doubt you knowingly committed any discriminatory acts.

If LAPD does not hire you, so what! There are plenty of other agencies out there that are as "prestigious."

Keep applying with LAPD or move on to other agencies.

Good luck and best wishes!