Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I worked as an officer in a good size department from 2007 to 2008. I passed the academy and FTO with flying color, but failed my probation. I was only one month away from passing probation when i was let go. I gave my best but it wasn't enough :nonod: I made a few bad decisions on some calls, but I never had any malicious intention. I also got complacent with my reports. I did really good the first half of my probationary period, but everything went to hell the second half. I think it had a lot to do with being homesick, stress overload, and my mother diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

I moved back to California in 2008 to be closer to my family, returned to school and eventually earned a BA in Criminal Justice. I also received commission as an infantry Second Lieutenant (0-1) in the CA Army National Guard. I'm in excellent physical condition. I also volunteer as a boy scout master.

My background is good other than an accident + failure to yield ticket (both occurred in the same incident) almost 9 years ago when i was 20 year old. No drug usage/experimentation ever. My credit score is 813 with no delinquent/collection or any of that stuff. I also speak, write, and read Vietnamese on a scale 8 out of 10.

Do you think failure to pass probation with another agency 3 years ago is going to hold me back with with an agency in California?

Your failure to pass probation , especially when you were within one month of finishing would be quite damaging at my PD. You appear to have done well for yourself but we can't disregard your LE past.

I say give it a shot and see what happens.

Yeah, apply and see what happens, but I wouldn't be optimistic. I wrote the final evaluation that got a guy fired just before his probation was up here. He applied to several agencies and they all contacted me personally. I told them my experience with him and as far as I know, he was never hired. The last time I saw him, he was working retail security. He wasn't a horrible person, but he made a lot of bad decisions on calls like you described. There was no way I could give him a decent recommendation. I believe good cops are born, not made and some people just don't have the natural instincts. And frankly, if you got lax with reports before you even got your time on, people are going to wonder what you would have done with 5+ years on.

I'm sorry about your Mother, but stress is part of life. I went through a couple of divorces, had custody battles over my kids, etc., but I still maintained at work. Good luck, but you're gonna have an uphill battle, I'm afraid.

I agree with my colleagues. Give it a shot, but be mindful that it won't be easy.

As an esteemed member said in another thread (which I will now appropriate and use as my own!) the only way to guarantee you won't be hired is to not apply.

As an esteemed member said in another thread (which I will now appropriate and use as my own!) the only way to guarantee you won't be hired is to not apply.

I know who said that, that clown is hardly an "esteemed" member, bro! :lol:

I know who said that, that clown is hardly an "esteemed" member, bro! :lol:

Must have been greg72982

Must have been greg72982
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll268/jimbellah/funny-dog-pictures-plz-wer-pantz.jpg

I noticed the OP has police officer listed as his occupation on his profile. That may say something in itself.

Hey guys, thanks for all your input. I'm going to apply and see what happens.

I noticed the OP has police officer listed as his occupation on his profile. That may say something in itself.yeah, i haven't been on this forum since 2007.

yeah, i haven't been on this forum since 2007.

Got it. My apology. I didn't realize your starting date.