To all LE on here, please give me your advice about my chances.

[jacksonray]

I have been applying for nearly 2.5 years now to be a entry-level police officer but so far, it has been a no go. I'm now 29yoa.
Here's alittle backgound about myself:
The - side:
-I have been arrested for reckless driving dated july, 2000. Going 95mph on 45mph limit. Stayed in cell for 4-5hours and was released. Paid all my standing fines, and served my defensive driving class.
-I have used marijuana 5-6x during my senior year in HS, year 2000. I realized that it's not for me.
-I've gotten a ticket for going over 15mph dated back in 2005.
-Gotten into car accident dated Dec, 2007, listed as vehicle#3.
-Ticketed for expired driving licencse in 2007, expired vehicle registration in 2009, and parking in to law enforcent zone in 2009: all fine was paid.
The + side:
-I have never been fired, nor written up through my entire working career. With that said, my work history is preatty exceptional.
-I'm a father of two, and soon to be 3 this coming May. My kids and my wife keeps me motivated throughout this whole process, and this is why I'm not turning back and just quit. I'm proud to say that; "I'm very happily married for 5 years."
-My credit score is outstanding; never late on my monthly bills.
-Speak, write, read tagalog!

I don't have college degree nor military background. I said this because alot of Police department now days consider having this, specially with the upside down economy that we are in...this is a must! I'am going against the best of the best, and I don't know if my 10years of working is good enough to go against this top notch applicants.


Any advice, thoughts from all LEO....many thanks.

[Citicop]

I have been applying for nearly 2.5 years now to be a entry-level police officer but so far, it has been a no go. I'm now 29yoa.
Here's alittle backgound about myself:
The - side:
-I have been arrested for reckless driving dated july, 2000. Going 95mph on 45mph limit. Stayed in cell for 4-5hours and was released. Paid all my standing fines, and served my defensive driving class.
-I have used marijuana 5-6x during my senior year in HS, year 2000. I realized that it's not for me.
-I've gotten a ticket for going over 15mph dated back in 2005.
-Gotten into car accident dated Dec, 2007, listed as vehicle#3.
-Ticketed for expired driving licencse in 2007, expired vehicle registration in 2009, and parking in to law enforcent zone in 2009: all fine was paid.
The + side:
-I have never been fired, nor written up through my entire working career. With that said, my work history is preatty exceptional.
-I'm a father of two, and soon to be 3 this coming May. My kids and my wife keeps me motivated throughout this whole process, and this is why I'm not turning back and just quit. I'm proud to say that; "I'm very happily married for 5 years."
-My credit score is outstanding; never late on my monthly bills.
-Speak, write, read tagalog!

I don't have college degree nor military background. I said this because alot of Police department now days consider having this, specially with the upside down economy that we are in...this is a must! I'am going against the best of the best, and I don't know if my 10years of working is good enough to go against this top notch applicants.


Any advice, thoughts from all LEO....many thanks.

jacksonray-

Your post above looks remarkably similar to this one from 2 years ago:

I currently had my civil test exam last week, what are my chances of getting in?
-I'm currently a Production Supervisor, and looking to changes my career.
-I'm physically fit; push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5miles run,and 300 meter dash. Meet all the time standars and more of the PD.
-No College Degree though.
-Have a prominent work history.
-No criminal background history; only minor reckless driving back when I was 18yrs old....I'm now 27.
-Have a outstanding credit score...on the upper 750s.
-Nothing to hide of couse.
-Family Man of 3!

Respond is greatly appreciated....

And since you have the same IP address as that poster, I have to assume that it's you. I need you to very quickly explain why you are not posting under the name you registered with in 2007 or you will find both accounts banned for violating our TOS.

-Citicop.

[jacksonray]

I apologize for this. I currently have a new internet carrrier called clear. I signed up for a new email account and for Realpolice account as well using my jacksonray email. I haven't visited nor signed up under pejimenez05....forgot my password :(

[Citicop]

No problem at all. Welcome (back) to RP.

I'll ban the old account and you can keep this one.

-Citicop.

[Kimble]

Not sure what advice I can give, other than keep applying. You do have some negatives in your past, but who doesn't? The reckless driving arrest was almost 10 years ago, though you do have quite a few traffic related incidents within the past couple of years, which will play against you but not necessarily count you out. Not having college or military background may keep you from being among the most competitive with some departments, but it's not mandatory with most, so keep trying. In the mean time, keep doing well at your current job, and keeping your family and financial affairs in order. It may take time, especially in this economy, but if you want it, keep at it.

[Cat_Doc]

Yep, just keep applying and pounding away.

I have a friend of mine who got in a little trouble as a teenager...liked to fight, spent a couple of nights in jail.

I knew he wasn't a choirboy, but believed he would have made a damn good cop.

His background haunted him and he almost gave up. However, just before he turned 40, the same P.D. that hunted him and tossed his young rowdy butt in jail back in the day, hired him.

He has turned out to be a great cop and he absolutely loves the job.

Just keep trying; if it is meant to be....

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Keep trying.

Keep your expectations realistic. Departments are laying off certified and trained officers, and THEY are the ones competing against you for available LE spots.

Best wishes with your endeavors.

[Silver Fox]

I hate to hurt your feelings and to be so blunt, but I would have to say your chances of getting a job in law enforcement would be from definitely not to very slim at the best.

Due to the down turned economy and poor job market, cut budgets, Etc. most departments have become more selective in their hiring practices and are looking for younger and squeaky clean personnel to fill vacancies.

Don't let this deter you in your search, as there are a lot of LE agencies and departments out there and you could be lucky and contact one wihich is less restrictive at the right time. Good luck in your endeavor.

[jacksonray]

Thank you all for honesty, comments, and opinions. I know someday that my calling will come.

As for SilverFox, you're right on Sir! It does not hurt my feeling at all. In fact it only makes me more motivated and want this job evenmore.

With woes economy seems like nothing is going my way. Received a less competetive letter from local PD, now I'm waiting on 2 locad PDs for my oral boards, and 1 testing on the way.

Thank you all.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Not sure where you're at, but any department with a heavy Filipino population would be your best best. Not many places that Tagalog would be a big asset otherwise.

[jacksonray]

Not sure where you're at, but any department with a heavy Filipino population would be your best best. Not many places that Tagalog would be a big asset otherwise.

I reside here at the Great Northwest! SeaTac area. One Department I will be testing for is actively hiring bilingual applicant. Doesn't mean that my chances is high.
With high population of hispanic, I'm also learning the espanol language. I find spanishonpatrol a great resourse, and also my local library system. As for my nationality being filipino, I'm familiar with spanish language.

[Samuel]

Did someone say Pinoy?



:D

[Legoate]

Here is the first thing I notice about your thread-

You have been applying for more than two years to join the police department.... In that time you have gotten a ticket for driving expired (a misdemeanor), driving with expired registration, and parking in police only parking....

Really, this is more of a show of your maturity and respect for law enforcement than anything else in the post. You say that you want to be a cop, but during the application phase you continually break the law. And parking in a 'police only' parking spot is just plain dumb.

This along with the fact that you have no college education, and no military service will make you a hard sell at any department in my area.

Most police departments no longer "consider" college education, most of them REQUIRE it.

[jacksonray]

Legoate,

Thank you Sir for the honest reply.

I will elaborate the tickets that I got 2years back:
Ticket for expired driver's license; this is totally my fault because I forgot to renew my license. Here in WA State DMV are closed on Mondays. I was ticketed Sunday but then renewed my license that following, Tuesday. Not to make any excuses about this, the blame is on me.

Expired registration; with this woes economy I decided to work 2full time jobs to support my family. At the time that my registration were about to expire, the money was on the crunch. I waited till the paycheck come to renew the registration but unfortunately I was ticketed. I learned my lesson, and paid the total fines. Up till now, I still work 7days a week for almost 2years and counting.

Parking on LEO zone; no intention of parking on police zone that day. I did not see that I pass half way across the zone. Paid fine of couse.

Again, thank you.