Expert: Loren Stevens - 8/23/2011

Question
I applied to a PD in my city and got permanently disqualified for admitting to trying marijuana more than 5 times since being 21. I put 8 since 21, and 5 before 21. Dumbest honest decision I ever made to put that down on my application. I want to try the sheriff's dept now, but want to leave out that I applied with the local PD here because I feel I will be disqualified again if they see that issue. I also want to put down less times trying marijuana, which I should have done the first time since I only experimented and didnt know what I was doing for half of those times and didnt inhale it in or get high. Will the sheriff's dept check with the local PD anyways and can they obtain access to that application?

Answer
Hello Steve,
Yeah, "experimented'' with drugs...and ""dumb honesty"...Think I might have trouble passing you on an oral myself.
But lets walk through a few things, and though they may be stark, and less than flattering, you just may derive something worth while.

HONESTY is never 'dumb'...I know of no agency in the USA, local, state and federal, and there are over 44k of them, in the USA, that would want to hire a person...less than honest.
Honesty, truthfulness all lend toward CHARACTER, and that my friend, is what is being sought.
If you are willing to twist the truth, or bend honesty at the entry level, how and when would you stop at duplicity in the future.
You might be interested in knowing, that most new hire applicants get polygraphed. Most of what these examinations address, is not only basic honesty, but also against what you yourself have applied to the application process. Often times, The exam process is compounded by oral interviews, about which you put on the application. There are many ways to get tripped up, and besides not being a very attractive prospect for employment, you'll have also framed what your character, or lack thereof says about you.
Win, lose or draw, my counsel is to stand tall, and crank out your faults, mistakes, errors in judgment, youthful exuberance etc, at al.
Remember, 'life' is but a series of choices, and agencies are also trying to determine how you derive your decisions, ie., choices....In ALL personnel matters, hiring practices will always be made in favor of the agency...that, should be a given.
You may want to engage in a comprehensive research initiative, and try to isolate agencies that are more relaxed, or forgiving, about certain past errant behavior choices...
Even consider Regulatory agencies.
Often times, it is a different path to take a circuitous route to where you ultimately want to be. Example, maybe hire on as a corrections officer, in a city, county detention center, or even a state prison facility.
Work hard, learn alot, and prove to reviewers that you are for real, as a mature adult, with career interests and potential.
It is often an acceptable path to do that...There will have been background investigations on you etc, but with honorable service and performance, you can guide the agency into 'turning the page' on past indiscretions....Does that make sense to you?

But whatever you do, don't try to be slick or clever in the application process....you'll get burned.
Think about checking into the possibilities at AZ DPS, or other states...
There are ways, if you are otherwise squared away...need to be mature, and a responsible adult.
And, maybe it just isn't in the cards for you...and I can appreciate your disappointment. But, reality, by definition, is reality...We often pay for our mistakes for a long time.
But if it is not meant to be, you'll have the satisfaction of trying to be an attractive candidate prospect, as a man, and as honorably and honestly, as you have come to be, at this juncture of your life..
Give it some thought.
Good Luck, hope this is helpful.
Didn't want to bust your chops, but figured you wanted my candid response.
Semper Fi,
loren