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Question
I will be applying for jobs with law enforcement agencies next month.
The documents that I have to fill out (including my Personal History Statement) tell me to include all jobs I've held in the past 10 years. I have held several temp jobs (such as a short term gig for Manpower and a gas station and the Census)
Here is my question: Should I include these? How will this affect my application if I do OR if I don't? For example...I got a job working for $7 per hour and hated it and quit quickly and found a better paying job. Should I include this one? What say you?
Thank you very much,
Chris
Chris,
I am very hesitant to give people advice on matters like this. If you put down the wrong thing and didn't get hired then you would be angry with me. I would say that if you had a job and the questionare asks for previous employment and they later found out that you concealed a previous job you might be in some trouble. Probably best to ask the recruiter himself.
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Answers by Expert:
Jack Toomey
Expertise
U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.
Experience
Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.
Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.
Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.
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