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Expert: - 3/7/2007


Question
Jason,

I am really excited about joining our city’s PD.  I want to serve the community and make a real difference in the lives of the resident’s here.  I do have a question about my back ground and my past jobs.  I do have a spotless 4 year military career, with an honorable discharge and I do not have any major smudges and no drugs.  But I have made some bad decisions regarding theft/shoplifting in my twenties that I really regret.  I also have one arrest for trespassing 10 years ago, and a couple of things that I did as a teen.  I have had quite a few jobs, probably 12 or so in the past 17 years.  Most of the job changes I have had are from relocating to new cities and I have a couple of gaps in employment due to relocating or being laid off.  How is this looked at on my application, and how can I feel more confident today about continuing the hiring process?  Please Help!  Thank you so much...

Ed  

Answer
Ed:

 Sounds good.  I believe you will do ok, just be honest with the background investigator about your past issues.  You really won't know, until you try.  Expect to answer some perhaps difficult questions, but as long as you are honest and forthright about what happened and what you did, you will do ok, I think.

Best of luck!

Careers: Police

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

General Maryland Law Enforcement, Maryland Law & Traffic Law, the Court System. How to start the process to become a Police Officer, different Police careers, the Interview process, General Police career questions

Experience

18 Years experience as a local and Federal Police officer. In addition to working "the road", I've worked as an Academy Instructor, Law Digest Compiler for Police Department, Community Policing coordinator, Department Gang officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and Advanced Accident Investigator. I've also served on the SWAT/SRT team, and currently work for the Department of Army Police (Federal Civilian) at Fort Detrick, Frederick Md, as a Sergeant. I'm Certified as a Police and Emergency Medical dispatcher through the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.

Organizations
Police Marksman Association Fraternal Order of Police

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Prince Georges County Maryland Municipal Police Academy, Western Maryland Police Academy
Radar, Portable Breath Test, PR-24 Police Baton, ASP, Police Mountain Bike Certified. Maryland Police Training Commission Basic Instructor Certified. CALEA Certified Field Training Officer (FTO), Advanced Criminal Investigator School, Advanced Crash Investigator School, National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Certified Emergency Police Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Telecommunications Operator.

Awards and Honors
Police Officer of the Year, Prince Georges County Municipal Police Chiefs Association (1995).
City of District Heights Police Officer of the Year, 1995.
Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, 1995 (National Association Chiefs of Police).

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