Expert: Chris Wagoner - 11/14/2007

Question
Thank you very much Sir for your answer, it was perfect!  One more question on this issue i would ask however is what exactly will they check when I disclose my other applications?  Will they want an entire copy of my application and results or simply enquire as to why I did not meet that departments requirements?  O and something else, i failed a psychological test last summer while applying to a department, i feel that some departments sense then have seen that and denied me simply because of this test.  I was not failed for any major reason but I'm feeling departments are just seeing me as a possible liability sense the department that failed me will not disclose specifics.  How can i overcome this sense i cannot prove or disprove what i say about the results of the test?  I would like to be honest with departments as i have been by disclosing this test result, but if i cannot make it past the interview because no one will look beyond what they see on paper and not who sits in front of them I'm begining to feel I'm better off leaving it out of my next applications.  Please help me on how to retain my integrity but also ensure I'm treated fairly.

Answer
Hi Ryan,

What a Department will check on an application if they contact another department varies from department to department. Your application gets assigned to a background investigator who then is the one that calls around and talks to people. He/She may call and ask the other departments background investigator what they found, but I think that is very unlikely. As for why your application was not accepted or you were turned down, they may share that with another department, but normally they do not give specifics, for fear of legal actions.

As for failing a psychological exam, I personally put very little value on those test, and many departments do not even use them. They are very subjective and depending on the doctor or firm used, can be actually looking for the wrong things in law enforcement. My brother failed one for a police department right after he got out of the military (they said he was to controlled, LOL, he was in the Navy SEALS) but then passed another the very next week at another department, where he ended up retiring from after 28 years of outstanding service. SO those test are very subjective. I do not think they are that accurate myself, so just ignore the one you failed and drive on like it never happened.

The department you failed the test with can not disclose why you failed it with you signing a medical records wavier. It has to do with medical records and HIPAA regulations. SO stop worrying about it!

If another department you disclose this to ask why you failed it, be honest and tell them you have no idea and feel you should not have, you have nothing to hide and no issues that you know of and would be willing to take another.

How many departments have you applied to and how many have you been turned down at? If its two or three, don't sweat it. Be honest, if asked, disclose what is asked. But I will tell you that if you are not asked about something, you do not have to disclose it. Unless specifically asked, you do not have to disclose things.

Remember also the smaller departments are more likely to listen to you and your explanations than a large department is. The average department has less than 100 officers.

Keep your chin up, keep looking around and applying to those departments you feel you would be a real help to. Also to help you out in the Oral Board area (which is REALLY important) here is a good web page: http://www.realpolice.net/police-oral-boards.shtml

I hope this all helps, and I hope I answered your question and maybe made you feel a little better about the process of getting hired, it can be VERY frustrating and challenging, but if your a good applicant, you will get hired.