Expert: Loren Stevens - 4/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Sir,

I am a 27 year old minority from the upstate new york area. The dept I have applied has roughly 84 officers none of which are a minority ( non- caucasian). I own a succesful business in which alot of the administrative police officers frequent (chief and captains). Our dept has 23 officer eligible for retirement with 10 gaurunteed to retire by Jan 11. The chief has asked several times to apply and now I have signed up for the civil service exam which takes place in a month. Several "important" community members and other officials are really pulling for me to get in. There exclamations are as long as do well on the civil service exam I am a for sure bet. The thing that they dont know is I have a OTH about seven years ago from the Navy. I was in a bad relationship had a young child and a chemically imbalanced and drug dependent ex wife. This all culminated in me making a huge decision to lie to my superiors to stay ashore to try and take care of my family. I was found guilty in NJP of lying to a superior officer at which time I asked to be released from active duty because I did not feel that I would satisfactorily be able to complete my enlistment. I was released as a RE04 (non rehireable) oth prior servicemember. I have since gone on to complete college open a business (very succesful) and teach 45 second chance and at risk adult learners,culinary arts, here locally in my community. This has gained me some public notoriety along with recognition and letters of reccomendation from alot of major players here in the community ( city commissioner, county executives, community action agencies etc.) Based on this bit of info do you think I might have a chance to be a police officer.

And can I do it without my color being the biggest need, meaning if I were caucasian and the situation were the same. I want to be equal to the other officers.

Thanks  very much

ANSWER: Hello Kaylen,
You have a whole bunch of "stuff" in your inquiry. I'll try to be helpful, but be mindful that much of this is MY opinion.
The Chief asking you to apply, is just that, an "invite". I wouldn't read in more into that, if I were you.
In that you have a rapport with the Chief, I would think he would be one you could consult on your military issue(s). Ask him up front, that you had less than a favorable experience with the military, and in blunt terms, would that be a deal breaker?
Know that slightly less than 10% of applicants get hired, and more of those wash out the first year. So, it is very competitive, and compounded, by military personnel being discharged, and difficult times in the labor force.
Also know, that there are virtually no secrets on a small agency....like none!
And, the down side, is that somebody has to die or retire, to get any lateral or vertical mov ement. The good side, is that the officers at the entry level have to be "generalists" and engage in many things that big agencies have specialization subdivisions for.
If you are interested in pursuing Affirmative action interests, that is your decision. I have mixed views on that subject, and generally don't agree with a "boost".
If an agency is suspected of unfair hiring practices, reporting it is one thing, getting tangled up in it for years, rather than focusing on your career development is another. That, and having peers view you with what amounts to having an asterisk, as getting unfair advantage. Lots of points of view on the=is subject, and depending on the point of view, I'm sure there is validity in many directions. I would just be less than comfortable in the real/imagined perceptions being less than righteous, in areas of public safety, where there is an expectation of fast response and mutual support. Does that make sense to you?
I have never been a female, nor have I been a person of color. The closest I have been to being a minority, is being from Minnesota and not being Scandinavian. So, I don't appreciate some of the subtleties and sensitivities.
That said, I have had several female officers, and supervisors and the entire range of people of color or "minorities" in my charge. My counsel to them, was to be very good at the fundamentals, distinguish yourself at doing your primary tasks, and all cross training skill-sets. And, when you compete for specialized assignments or promotions, do it straight-up, do it well, and kick-ass figuratively). That, eliminates resentment, of co-workers that might think you got a boost.
Civil service tests are usually oriented to the high school/GED academic level. It would be wise, to bone up on English, grammar etc, and math fundamentals.
Know the basics of government...(ALL law enforcement come under the EXECUTIVE branch of government, NOT Judiciary).
Prepare as much for an oral, as you do for the written.
If you have done your homework on your military issues, you'll still need to chat about it in an oral.
I suggest you do it early in an interview, rather than to close, with a negative. Bobby Kennedy once uttered to "hang a lantern on it" concerning negative matters, rather than trying to marginalize them. Get them out there to be addressed, on YOUR terms. You can still frame the wordsmithing to the most favorable light, while staying truthful. Do you understand that?
Don't ask or accept any of the "important" supporters' offers to involve them selves in your initial business. It is inappropriate, and you want to do it on you own.
A word to the wise. Those in public service who exploit "influences'' become an albatros, where they reach for that helper connect on every bump in the road. Your co-workers up to and including the Chief won't like it...a LOT.
There are ways where "supporters" can be helpful, but that's another subject, and involves agency special projects.
As a matter of fact, I would make it plain to all who would listen, that you just want to do your best on the written, and rate high on your own merit. That you would be hurt and offended, if others felt you didn't have what it takes to compete straight up.
And, that you only want the same consideration in the oral, as the others have. That attitude will go far, even if the job does not work out for you this round.
We both know, the military stuff is going to be the hurdle of interest.
Would it be an accurate statement to say that you had a set of circumstances overwhelm you, as a young military person, who was essentially in your teens?
Would it be fair to say you experienced YOUTHFUL indiscretions that you regret, and are ashamed about today?
Things like signing a waiver for the agency to review those files may be helpful if you suggest that (they can do it anyhow) and, you might do a FOIA on yourself, and see what the case file says.
Any drug use, alcohol abuse, stupid and avoidable debt issues, bad driving record are all issues of review. ANY domestic violence, is a deal breaker....for everybody, re: can't have a firearm.
The agency is looking for potential, that befits the agency, and the jurisdiction they serve.
Character and honesty are HUGE. polygraph will be on the obvious stuff, plus anything on the background investigation, all you put on your application, and what you say in an oral. So be truthful, just think about how you craft your answers.
And, if the military issues is a deal breaker, be up front about it, rather than suggest it is racial, when you know it is not.
These folks want to know what you are about, what you are made of, as an adult, more so than when you were a teen. Does that make sense to you?
Volunteer to have your probation extended, in order to have the agency "comfort zone" expanded on you, so they can have more time for assessment, in that there is more risk...
Have you considered doing some volunteer work at the agency? Do they have a police reserve program?
Lots of ways to approach this.
With all the words of encouragement from community leaders and agency upper ranks, I think you'll agree that race won't be an inhibitor. It will be about other things I have mentioned.
The short answer, is for you to meet with that chief, and put it on the table. After it has been discussed, he'll probably need to run the details by the legal folks, as well as state A/G, in terms of any certification problems.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Good Luck,
loren

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First off let me say what a great answer. Secondly I DO NOT want this to be a racial issue, I want it to be fair. I may have not put my question in the correct context. I did not want my color to overshadow my past, meaning I did not want to be accepted for my color if my past would have disqualified a non-minority candidate. I want to be accedpted for the person I have become and continue to be. I would like some insight as to how I can make the minority thing not a "boost" in recruitment. I think the chief is one of the fairest people I know but I do not want the "community" to force something that wouldnt have been if I were another color. I want to do my job like every other officer, face the same struggles, gain the same knowledge and wisdom to be a exemplary officer without any "communtiy" assistance. Basically how can I make this a fair game if my test scores are equal?

Answer
Hello Kaylen,
I answered this second question yesterday. Don't know what happened to it?? So, you might get it twice.

OK, the logical if not essential step for you to take, is to ask the chief for a private audience, at a time and place of his choosing.
You have two points you need to speak to him about, and that you value and trust his counsel.
#1- Back in your youth, you suffered less than favorable experiences in the military. I'm assuming UCMJ, rather than statutory. Offer a thumb-nail summary or abridged version (warts and all, ala mia culpa)You were young, unsophisticated, overwhelmed and confused, which collectively, resulted in YOU making poor choices, that you regret, are ashamed about, but can't undo.
You are NOT the person today, that you were then, but are responsible for the totality of your life's experiences.
If this is a deal-breaker, you need to know this up front. And, you are sensitive to the Chief's position, and wouldn't want to cause him any embarrassment either.
If you came up short on virtually any other aspect, of the selection process, you could do some enhanced preperation, and future repair, in order to over come those areas. But if the military issues will ALWAYS be the deal-breaker, there is little you can do to over come this weight hanging over your head.
#2- Convey the point that you enjoy the support and encouragement of several people in the community, which is satisfying, yet humbling.
But, that you would NOT want anything externally to influence the routine process, where you derived any unfair advantage over others. Nor would you want to engage in any diversity, or affirmative action advantages. Tell the Chief that you are confident that you can compete with other applicants 'straight-up' and would be hurt and offended, if there were any unfair influences in the mix. There, you have put the boss on notice, that you don't want any advantage, nor will you accept any, for the position. He'll look upon you with favor.
Ask him to give your military issues some thought, and if necessary, you'll sign off on a waiver, for him to review. You'd rather know discretely, if it will matter, rather than it to come out during the hiring process, to blast you out of the water.
If you grasp what's going on in the bosses head, you'll better understand what the pressures are.
He has a huge fiduciary obligation to the agency funding source, and other controlling bodies. He has a due diligence to the community, to hire the best talent/potential as possible. He has a certification requirement from the state, that he needs to respond to. He has forever looming, issues of vicarious liability...hiring an unfit employee, based on past standards and practice patterns.
In many ways, statutorially and administrative law wise, he is behind the 8-ball on hiring, and maintaining staff. His meat is out front every day, in that regard.
You should understand the concept of: ceteris paribus ( all other things being equal) if you and another candidate were basically equal in other things (ethnics and gender irrelevant) with an only difference being you had your military issues, and the other person had a sterling military experience, where does that put you? what about the other guy?
You see, there are many ways to view all of this.
Also, consider other agencies. While considering other agencies, don't forget to factor in the many regulatory agencies, who have limited police powers in specific areas.
If all else fails, you might consult an attorney, and entertain the many options of consideration on reconciling this problem. Or, realize that you will not attain this goal, and proceed with new goals.
Think about doing some extra stuff, that other candidates won't think of to do. Go up on the FEMA site, and complete some of those free courses on public safety, disaster control, emergency management, etc.
Hook up with either the fire dept. or the red cross, and earn as many first aid certificates as you can.
Take a martial arts class.
Study the Constitution, espicially the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) and concentrate on the 4th and 14th.
In review, with a chat with the boss, you are putting on the table the two issues that weigh heavy on you: military matters, and positive fairness. You'll trust his counsel, as he is in the perfect seat to level with you on both fronts. And, take your hits, if they appropriately come your way.
Study and prepare. Don't dwell on the negative what-if's.
Kick ass lad (figuritively).
Good Luck, and let me know how things go.
loren