Expert: Loren Stevens - 8/2/2007

Question
Hello I have a question regarding my best friend. She recently got denied from the police academy and is pretty upset about it. It was her main dream in life and she doesn't know where or what to do next, so I wanted to help her.  She made it thru everything and was doing great but then during her polygraph she said she took 20$ once from a coworker and she didn't tell her recruiter that and therefore the recruiter was very mad. She wrote a letter explaining the incident and how she forgot about it and everything but then later that week she got informed she did not get in because of that. So i was just wondering if you had any advise i could give her. Or what steps she should take next. Anything would be greatly appreciated! I really think she would be great in this field and a wonderful asset to the force.

Answer
Hello Maggie,
Well...............a magic wand I do not have. However, there may be some things she can do, to try and salvage this challenge.
Have her consult with the human resource supervisor, and inquire if there is a length of time that needs to pass, prior to applying again, or if the result of this particular polygraph is of a nature that it would essentially prohibit any further chance for her.
Much depends on that answer.
Now, you didn't say how long ago the $20 caper was. If it was relatively recent, then she is SOL. If it was a long time ago, it could feasibly be argued as a youthful indiscretion.
In any event, how this was perceived by the recruiter was valid:
#1- Fundamental HONESTY is mandatory....being a thief is not good.
#2- Coupled with HONESTY, is that of CHARACTER, which is huge.
#3- By not telling her recruiter about stealing from a coworker, she compounds the errant conduct with a lie...ergo, back to HONESTY, and CHARACTER.
These are formidable hurdles to clear I'm afraid.
She may consider making applications at other police agencies, or even consider working at a regulatory agency.
And, there are other ways to prove ones mettle.
Try for a Corrections (jailer) job. Demonstrate that she is a high quality employee by distinguishing herself at that position. Then, down the road, try for a lateral transfer to PO, or petition for a shot for PO. Usually, that is easier at a Sheriff's agency, than a muni PD.
All the while, take CRJ courses at a Community college, or University.
She'll want to convince a recruiter that she is an attractive candidate, and deserving of a chance, even with an unfavorable hiccup of a poor decision in the past.
If I was the recruiter, I would pose one very important question:
" OK, in the past, you were a thief, and seemingly lied about it.
Did you EVER reconcile your wrong?? In other words, did you ever return the $20 bucks to the victim, apologize, and hope that the apology was accepted. Take responsibility for one's own conduct/choices.
That would go a LONG way with me. And that too would reflect on the polygraph.
But.....that's just me.
Also, check into ALL the various agencies. There are hundreds of them.
Good Luck, Let me know how it turns out.
Regards,loren