Police Officer Recruit Applicant, Problems with neighbor since application.

[merlino211]

Hello all,

I am an applicant to the local PD in my city as of 09/14/09. They required, as part of the background check, all of us to generate information on our neighbors. This inherently required me to tell them I was applying for and attempting to join the police department.

For the past year and a half, my fiancée and I have been the blunt end of our downstairs neighbors wrath of abuse (banging on walls, slamming the steel screen door on their apartment, to name a few). Their own account for this behavior was that they didn't want "two kids" living above them. For the last year, I simply ignored the behavior and kept my head low as I knew I'd be applying for the PD as soon as I was of age.

The past month that has followed since I had to tell all four of my apartment neighbors, their harassment has increased probably tenfold. They allow their child (and I've even heard them encourage her) to run up the second story stairs to my door and back down, slamming into it, banging on my bedroom window, ect. They also slam more doors and turn music up louder and louder, knowing that at the present time I work twelve hour night shifts.

When I filled out the PD background packet I made a point to document that these neighbors had always disliked us and I did not trust them to give truthful or accurate assessments of me and my Fiancées behavior and living patterns. Since they were notified, they've clearly made more efforts to try and bully me into conflict with them. This indicates to me that they are pulling pins to try and find something negative to say when or if they are contacted. So my question to the LEO's here is this:

When behavior like this comes up with neighbors, but they ultimately have to be placed on the background investigation form, how much is this looked into? If they intentionally give bad reviews, and I feel they will simply for whatever reasons they dislike us, will the PD follow that more than the other 3 who I've never had any run-ins with and have actually been supportive of my recruitment? What should I do in the meantime to cope with issues like this? After the physical they gave us a "pep talk" about how some neighbors will simply "hate you just to hate you" from this point forward, which seems to be the case here. Because of my process in the recruitment, I've been too nervous to call the cops for disturbances or even go to the apartment managers, wanting to just stay low and quiet to make sure my application goes through with little fuss in the Background Investigation portion. Should I go to the manager? The police? Or should I just tough it out till the process ends and then deal with it via the management of the complex?

Thank you.

[phantasm]

Hello all,

I am an applicant to the local PD in my city as of 09/14/09. They required, as part of the background check, all of us to generate information on our neighbors. This inherently required me to tell them I was applying for and attempting to join the police department.

For the past year and a half, my fiancée and I have been the blunt end of our downstairs neighbors wrath of abuse (banging on walls, slamming the steel screen door on their apartment, to name a few). Their own account for this behavior was that they didn't want "two kids" living above them. For the last year, I simply ignored the behavior and kept my head low as I knew I'd be applying for the PD as soon as I was of age.

The past month that has followed since I had to tell all four of my apartment neighbors, their harassment has increased probably tenfold. They allow their child (and I've even heard them encourage her) to run up the second story stairs to my door and back down, slamming into it, banging on my bedroom window, ect. They also slam more doors and turn music up louder and louder, knowing that at the present time I work twelve hour night shifts.

When I filled out the PD background packet I made a point to document that these neighbors had always disliked us and I did not trust them to give truthful or accurate assessments of me and my Fiancées behavior and living patterns. Since they were notified, they've clearly made more efforts to try and bully me into conflict with them. This indicates to me that they are pulling pins to try and find something negative to say when or if they are contacted. So my question to the LEO's here is this:

When behavior like this comes up with neighbors, but they ultimately have to be placed on the background investigation form, how much is this looked into? If they intentionally give bad reviews, and I feel they will simply for whatever reasons they dislike us, will the PD follow that more than the other 3 who I've never had any run-ins with and have actually been supportive of my recruitment? What should I do in the meantime to cope with issues like this? After the physical they gave us a "pep talk" about how some neighbors will simply "hate you just to hate you" from this point forward, which seems to be the case here. Because of my process in the recruitment, I've been too nervous to call the cops for disturbances or even go to the apartment managers, wanting to just stay low and quiet to make sure my application goes through with little fuss in the Background Investigation portion. Should I go to the manager? The police? Or should I just tough it out till the process ends and then deal with it via the management of the complex?

Thank you.

If the BI speaks to 4 or 5 neighbors, and 1 says you cause problems, and the other 3 or 4 don't, they'll take what they say with a grain of salt. I wouldn't worry about it too much, just ignore them, and if its possible to move, then do so. If they are committing crimes against you (intentionally damaging your property, etc), then file the appropriate police reports, but don't say "they did it" unless you actually have proof, such as you saw them do it, or heard them say they did it. Also realize, that any pending court act, civil or otherwise, as ANY party, can delay any police applications.

[cruzmisl]

My neighbor, who I still live next to, slammed the door in my BI's face He's a super huge turd. Don't think for a minute that BI's don't think there are people that will try and thwart your success and hate the Police. Its going to be the overall impression that counts.

FWIW, I haven't so much as spoken a syllable to my neighbor in 5 years. No time for people like that.

I wouldn't worry about it too much but be prepared if asked about it.

[PJMurphy]

Don't mention anything about the neighbors or try to explain why you are having problems with them. It'll make you look petty and immature. Ignore them and move ASAP.

[PapaBear]

A good BI will weed out the culls and be able to see the issues when talking with your neighbors. People have a tendency to over emote certain issus and investigators learn how to direct proper questions to receive candid answers.

[smcc360]

Background investigators can tell the difference between a citizen and a ****bag, just like any cop.

I've talked to enough bitter ex-spouses, shady employers, and pothead neighbors to know who's worth listening to and who's barely worth acknowledging with the occasional nod. There are people from whom a negative reference actually helps the applicant.

BIs aren't done by robots: "Two bad references= DISQUALIFIED". A lot of thought goes into it.

[CCBlueMan]

I had a similar problem when applying to my agency. I had a neighbor who liked to walk her dog on MY yard to do his dirty business. I asked her once nicely to stop. The next time I saw her I was a little less than polite. Not cussing and screaming mind you, just curt. She then told my land lord that I was rude.

When the time came for my BI, I was upfront and told the investigator of the issue. Long story short, I got hired.

Just keep your head low and don't start anything. Good luck!