Expert: William Payne - 2/22/2010

Question
Current Age: 24

Location: CA


Intro:

I put in a volunteer application for the SO here. They were not at the time conducting hiring, so I figured volunteering would be a good foot in the door and I could get some career related experience.  The application also had a condensed background packet which I filled out honestly. I was recently contacted by personnel and training and asked that I put in an application for a deputy position. I intend on contacting them in regards to my background issues before I do submit an application but I would like to see what you have to say.


I know state and/or department policy dictates a majority of background issues. However, CA's POST has set standards loosely to allow individual agencies make their own policies.

To the Question, given the facts in my background and what I have accomplished since my past issues, can I pass a background?


Facts:

- ’06 cocaine. experimented one time (4 years ago)

-  marijuana. between '01 -'06 seven to ten times (last time 4 years ago)

- ’04 theft from job. valued at 40 dollars. During ‘09  I wrote an apology letter and paid for the item (6 years ago)

- ’06..convicted of Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Diversion course therefore case was dismissed. (4 years ago)

- ’05 was discharged from a seasonal employment due to not giving proper notice before quitting (4 years ago)

- ’06 passenger seat belt ticket. (4 years ago)

---------

+ AS Degree in Criminal Justice (1 year ago)

+Personnel/Shift Manager for Current job (Training, Hiring, Firing) (First job which I have been working for off and on for close to 8 years)

+/- Basic POST Academy Cert. Washed out due to failing of scenario. Went through again and passed.  scored 99 on scenarios that time. Above average on everything else. No disciplinary issues.  Great Peer reviews(2 Years ago)

+In good Physical Shape

+No moving violations

+? Honest, hard working, loyal, and is good with people might be what my friends/neighbors/co-workers will say about me, I surely do not know of anything who would say anything bad about me.





This is a career I have wanted to do for a long time. Everyone tells me I am cut out for it and I strongly believe I can be an excellent LEO. But I know some things are inexcusable and I take full responsibility for my actions.

Answer
Nathan,


Thanks for the question.

It's really impossible to say what different law enforcement agencies would think of your background.

It's great that you readily admit to these past issues, that could speak well for you as far as being open and honest. I will tell you up front that a lot of agencies will be hesitant to consider you because of your past. Sometimes a persons past can indicate what their future may be.

Your convictions are minor in nature, and should not prevent you from being hired, but the theft and the drug usage could pose some potential problems for you. A lot of agencies will not even consider you because of the drugs/theft.

That being said, don't give up. If you can demonstrate that you are on the straight and narrow (polygraph or Voice Street Analysis) I see no reason why you couldn't be hired by a good agency.


Good luck and best wishes!