Police Transfers

[BigManPimpin]

Say you have been a LEO for a agency, that doesn't require a poly, for a while... When you go to transfer to a different place do they require you to take a poly becuase you have never taken one? Or is it pretty much guaranteed that you are in (unless something happend with your current agency that can make you a bad candidate)? Thanks.

[MOCOP]

If the agencies hiring policy says you take a poly , you take a poly. Regardless of prior expierance, in most cases.

[steelcityk9cop]

Were hiring three officers right now.... all 8 remaining officers on the list went through complete background investigations including polygraphs even thought they are all active LEO's right now..... Just because you are on the job at place A doesn't mean you can just walk into a job at place B. In fact...one of our candidates was DQ'd because he fibbed to his Background Detective during his Pre-Polygraph interview.

[Cat_Doc]

Our state requires a full background and polygraph upon any new hire position, whether you have been a cop for decades or just starting out.

Your first post regarding mutliple hard drug use has d.q.'d you from any law enforcement job in Arizona.

[Kimble]

Our state requires a full background and polygraph upon any new hire position, whether you have been a cop for decades or just starting out.

Your first post regarding mutliple hard drug use has d.q.'d you from any law enforcement job in Arizona.

I think he's trying to find a way to weasle into LE by lying about his past drug use and not having to take a polygraph. If my assumption is correct, look to private security, as all of these companies that I know of to them don't polygraph (or even require a HS diploma).

[Cat_Doc]

I think he's trying to find a way to weasle into LE by lying about his past drug use and not having to take a polygraph. If my assumption is correct, look to private security, as all of these companies that I know of to them don't polygraph (or even require a HS diploma).

Cool, if he is that worried about a poly, he will never pass one.

[BigManPimpin]

I know I would never pass one. I'm not trying to 'weasel' my way through because I'll probably stay at the one big city agency. I was simply asking and I appreciate to those who have answered the question, thank you. I will have a Criminal Justice diploma within the year so it's not like I'm not qualified. Personally I think that people who have been "there" would be a better police officer than someone who only has book smarts.

Like I said in an earlier post, everyone deserves a second chance. I feel that a lot of times LEO will automatically stereotype someone who has done drugs before as a junky or someone who is less competent than they are, when that's simply not the case.

Either way, I really appreciate most of your replies, thank you.

[txinvestigator1]

I think he's trying to find a way to weasle into LE by lying about his past drug use and not having to take a polygraph. If my assumption is correct, look to private security, as all of these companies that I know of to them don't polygraph (or even require a HS diploma).

The problem is that under federal law, pre-employement polygraphs are prohibited for most non-LEO positions. There are certain hihg risk jobs, such as security working at Nuclear Powerplants, etc, that can be polyed, but for the most part it is prohibited.

[Kimble]

I know I would never pass one. I'm not trying to 'weasel' my way through because I'll probably stay at the one big city agency. I was simply asking and I appreciate to those who have answered the question, thank you. I will have a Criminal Justice diploma within the year so it's not like I'm not qualified. Personally I think that people who have been "there" would be a better police officer than someone who only has book smarts.

Like I said in an earlier post, everyone deserves a second chance. I feel that a lot of times LEO will automatically stereotype someone who has done drugs before as a junky or someone who is less competent than they are, when that's simply not the case.

1) It a Criminal Justice DEGREE, not "diploma" (unless you getting some kind of CJ certification which is below an associate or bachelors degree).

2) A degree in CJ does not make you qualified to become a police officer. It may give you a good background on the profession, but it is not a substitute for POST training, which you can receive with or without a degree in some departments. If you don't meet the qualifications of a hiring agency, the degree alone won't make you qualified.

3) LE is not a profession about second chances due to the authority given to us. If you don't have honesty and integrity, you can't stand in court, and are of no use to any department, period. Have those of us in the profession made mistakes? Sure, we're human. However we lived our lives as cleanly as possible to become a LEO, you didn't. I'm not putting myself on a pedastle here, but there are some actions that will prevent you from doing certain things. If you yell "fire" in a movie theater, guess what, you're going to be arrested. If you're sorry you did it, that's good, but you're still going to jail. Using illegal drugs outside the acceptable limits WILL KILL YOUR INTEGRITY IN COURT (like it or hate it, such is the nature of the criminal justice system), and thus bar you from being an acceptable witness for your department.

4) There are many, many career fields out there, and many of them do not do the extensive background checks you will find in criminal justice (and particularly in LE). You can either take the advice you are given or pursue what is likely an unattainable goal. I'm not trying to kill your dreams, only being brutally honest with you, just as I am with my CJ students.

[Kimble]

I'm not putting myself on a pedastle here...

Oops, that should be "pedestal" (wasn't trying to make up a new word :D ).

[ChesCopPodz]

Seriously, you saying that you cannot pass a polygraph basically means you are saying that you plan on lying to whichever agency it is. You'll just end up one of those idiots that make us all have a bad name.

[BigManPimpin]

All you have to do to pass a polygraph is tell the truth.

Frankly, if you cannot do that then you have no business at all in our brotherhood.

But just so you don't think we're all mean guys here, I found this for you to help you in your search for the appropriate career.

Job for BigmanPimpin

When I say I would not pass a polygraph I do not mean I would lie.. I mean that I would give answers that would not allow me to obtain a job as a LEO. I mean I have not done/said anything against any of you guys and you're already being extreme jerks.

Seriously, you saying that you cannot pass a polygraph basically means you are saying that you plan on lying to whichever agency it is. You'll just end up one of those idiots that make us all have a bad name.

Like I said you guys are being complete jerks and you are only living up to what most people think about police officers... they are dicks.

Again, I'm not trying to pick fights with any of you, I'm simply trying to find out information about becoming a LEO. I never said I would lie on a polygraph test, you guys are just being quick to judge. I never said that becoming a LE is a profession about second chances, but I feel that a lot of LE's would be better at their job if they wouldn't be quick to judge. Don't try to deny it either because if you find out that someone has done drugs than you automatically assume they are junkies. I have read through a lot of the posts on this board and it's all there... it's not even about what policies are in your dept's its about you guys getting like seriously offended when someone with a shady background even tries to ask if they would qualify to become a LE.

And yes, I do think that someone who has been "there" would be a better LE than one who has never been "there." Why? Because they can relate and would actually try to help people who they relate to, I have met more cops that think they are superior to anyone they come in contact with than the other way around. It's just the way it goes. But if you put someone who had done drugs before in an undercover situation with a narcotics unit they will no doubt be better at it than someone who has only read about it. Take in mind that most things in books that LE's read are published by the Govt. and are extremely bias towards the subject. I have also taken many Sociology and Drug courses and most Govt published materials on drugs are incorrect. I know I'm going to get a lot of grief about this and a lot of bashing but it's true. If you doubt it then go research it.

Again, I'm not trying to be a **** or anything and even though you guys are trying to be jerks towards me ( ;) its ok... ) I respect your opinions and look forward to your responses.

[Deputy757]

Like I said you guys are being complete jerks and you are only living up to what most people think about police officers... they are dicks.

Funny thing, the "people" that you refer to are usually the same as you..dopers that can't take hearing the truth!

Again, I'm not trying to pick fights with any of you, I'm simply trying to find out information about becoming a LEO.
Wow...I bet you weren't able to say that with a straight face! BTW, we've "simply" told you how it is. Just because you don't like the answers doesn't mean that we're dicks.

[b]but I feel that a lot of LE's would be better at their job if they wouldn't be quick to judge.[/b[
See, if you had ANY idea about what it takes to be a LEO you would understand that we have to be quick to judge. Our lives depend on it. That doesn't mean that after gaining further information we won't reassess our viewpoint but actually, after doing this for some time, you become pretty good at getting the right first impression!

it's not even about what policies are in your dept's its about you guys getting like seriously offended when someone with a shady background even tries to ask if they would qualify to become a LE.
Think about what you just posted. "Someone with a shady background" trying to become law enforcement. It's been said before but obviously you haven't gotten it. Being a LEO is all about integrity. If you have none, then you are of no use to the agency and what's more...the rest of us don't want you dragging us down!

And yes, I do think that someone who has been "there" would be a better LE than one who has never been "there." Why? Because they can relate and would actually try to help people who they relate to, I have met more cops that think they are superior to anyone they come in contact with than the other way around. It's just the way it goes. But if you put someone who had done drugs before in an undercover situation with a narcotics unit they will no doubt be better at it than someone who has only read about it.
Yet somehow all those undercover officers who WEREN'T drug abusers continue to make arrest after arrest. Wow...it boggles the mind!! How have they gotten along without the aid of someone like you??
Let's keep the system the way it should be. We'll make the arrests while you perform as something like a CI. That's the way God intended it! :D

[K-9MALY]

BMP,
I understand your analogy about having been there done that, and it making you more proficient in future encounters. However, your using it in a totally whacked out context. I have never shot dope into my body, robbed, shot, raped, or any other sundry type crime that would give me some sort of insight to the criminal mind as to why they did it. I know you think that having life experience in less dramatic areas that break the law will enhance your capabilites to relate to those you are going to encounter or even give you some "street cred." Fact is, you cannot be a LEO with your type of history, of which you admitted to us concerning hard narcotics. Can a person change? Everybody can, but you have used your one chance at certain career options by doing those drugs in the past. I don't care to kick or jab at you, but honestly, that is a reality for you in my opinion.