Expert: PaulKoinig - 8/30/2007

Question
HI,

I found your site, and I was hoping you could answer a question for me. I just had my first background interview for a police recruit position, and naturally I'm a little insecure right now. You see, I had one issue that my B.I seem to have a problem with. The problem was that when I was younger, naturally being a teenager, I use to download pornography. On one occasion, I downloaded a file that said something along the lines of "blond (Insert dirty words here)." Well it turned out to be a 12 year old when I opened up the file, and so I deleted the file right away. I was about 17 or 18 at this time. However, on my questionaire, when it said "Have you ever viewed child pornography?," I put "yes, one time, accidently." Anyway, that, he said, was going to be my issue. I also had two other things that I did when I was 17, but they weren't big issues and I never got arrested or anything. I simply admitted to commmiting those acts, and he didn't seem to care. (I'm 4 months away from being 23 now). One final issue is that I missed about 3 lines on my background packet that I didn't fill out when I should have. Stupid mistkae on my part, and doesn't look good as far as being thorough.

Anyway, my other friend who was a backgrounder for the same department said these weren't huge issues and that nobody feels good after going through their background interview. However, I'd like to get an outside opinion.  

My qualifications are as follows:

- 3 years of cadet/explorer experience with this department, with a couple of commendations.
- Just receieved an internship interviewing truants with the same department
- Receiving my B.A in Criminal Justice in december.
- bilingual
- I work for the same city as a recreational leader for afterschool programs
- And I volunteer with my community. (Church, clubs in high school, etc...)
- Never tried drugs, don't smoke, good credit, no tickets, one accident, never drank until I was 21 (and even now, I'm not much of a drinker)

So my question is, do you think those issues I mentioned above are going to hurt me a lot as far as my chances of getting hired? I know its really all up to the backgrounder, but I'd like an opinion anyway. And to be honest, a couple of officer's I have become friends with told me I was being too honest, but I figure if i want to have a career in something like policing, which requires intergrity, I'd better be super honest from the start. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Anthony, as a background investigator I believe you have excellent credentials. I have seen issues like yours and have never had a problem with these individualls. You have excellent moral character and are very honest. You have my vote.
Good Luck
Paul