how do i compare to other candidates?

[BIG STEVE]

I know the hiring process for LEOs is lengthy and tedious but I wanted to know how u guys think il compare to other candidates applying for the FHP (or any other department). Im weary about my work experience and its lack of relevance to LE. And also a little worried about getting too nervous during the poly. Does having a several LEO and detectives as references help?
21 yrs old
6’1”
195lbs
Clean cut (no “body modifications”)
1 speeding ticket (81 in a 35) =/ 2 years ago
No criminal charges/misdemeanors etc.
Credit Score: 750+
Graduated top 10% in class from high school
3 yrs of college (2 semesters left to finish) Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Business Administration
Currently working as a pharmacy tech for CVS (some degree of responsibility and trust involved)
Things il have to ”confess” to BI:
Downloading/sharing music/movies/software via internet
Purchasing stolen goods (I’m not 100% sure, but iv gotten some crazy deals on craigslist and from friends of friends, and suspect/feel guilty that they might have been stolen)


what should i be worried about?

[Safety Steve]

I know the hiring process for LEOs is lengthy and tedious but I wanted to know how u guys think il compare to other candidates applying for the FHP (or any other department). Im weary about my work experience and its lack of relevance to LE. And also a little worried about getting too nervous during the poly. Does having a several LEO and detectives as references help?
21 yrs old
6’1”
195lbs
Clean cut (no “body modifications”)
1 speeding ticket (81 in a 35) =/ 2 years ago
No criminal charges/misdemeanors etc.
Credit Score: 750+
Graduated top 10% in class from high school
3 yrs of college (2 semesters left to finish) Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Business Administration
Currently working as a pharmacy tech for CVS (some degree of responsibility and trust involved)
Things il have to ”confess” to BI:
Downloading/sharing music/movies/software via internet
Purchasing stolen goods (I’m not 100% sure, but iv gotten some crazy deals on craigslist and from friends of friends, and suspect/feel guilty that they might have been stolen)


what should i be worried about?

You should be worried about changing your sign on name! At 6'1" and 195 lbs, your not that big! lol.
Don't worry about the LE experience. Not having any experience will not be held against you.
Get your degree and continue to be productive as you are now.


Be Safe.

[BIG STEVE]

You should be worried about changing your sign on name! At 6'1" and 195 lbs, your not that big! lol.
Don't worry about the LE experience. Not having any experience will not be held against you.
Get your degree and continue to be productive as you are now.


Be Safe.

Sorry about the name, im not big and im not named steve but i thought it would be a silly and easy name to remember for the forum. I hope the hiring process takes long enough for me to finish school but not too long after beacuse right now theres NO oppenings in my area for any dept. and dont want to wait thru another hiring freeze.

[Curt581]

I know the hiring process for LEOs is lengthy and tedious but I wanted to know how u guys think il compare to other candidates applying for the FHP (or any other department). Im weary about my work experience and its lack of relevance to LE. And also a little worried about getting too nervous during the poly. Does having a several LEO and detectives as references help?

21 yrs old Too young

6’1” 195lbs Meh

Clean cut (no “body modifications”) Good

1 speeding ticket (81 in a 35) =/ 2 years ago Not a big problem

No criminal charges/misdemeanors etc. Good, but a minimum qual

Credit Score: 750+ Very good, but likely due to minimal credit usage

Graduated top 10% in class from high school You passed, percentages mean little

3 yrs of college (2 semesters left to finish) Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Business Administration You should have reversed the two

Currently working as a pharmacy tech for CVS (some degree of responsibility and trust involved) Good, but your work and attendance record will count just as much

Things il have to ”confess” to BI:

Downloading/sharing music/movies/software via internet As long as it was minimal and you weren't reselling, it shouldn't be an impediment

Purchasing stolen goods (I’m not 100% sure, but iv gotten some crazy deals on craigslist and from friends of friends, and suspect/feel guilty that they might have been stolen) Not good. That willingness to buy despite feeling guilty displayed a "relative" attitude to the law. I suspect you didn't feel all that guilty

what should i be worried about?

Short answers embedded in blue.

I think you should be worried about how they will view your somewhat lax attitude about things you know to be illegal, or at least, unethical. You push the envelope. Buying goods you know or suspect to be stolen displays a willingness to "look the other way" if it benefits you personally. Using dietary supplements that might be technically legal at present reflects the same attitude.

I want to work with people who have a more definitive view of good and bad.

[BIG STEVE]

Short answers embedded in blue.

I think you should be worried about how they will view your somewhat lax attitude about things you know to be illegal, or at least, unethical. You push the envelope. Buying goods you know or suspect to be stolen displays a willingness to "look the other way" if it benefits you personally. Using dietary supplements that might be technically legal at present reflects the same attitude.

I want to work with people who have a more definitive view of good and bad.

So would you wouldn't hire me?

Between work and school I really haven't had time to download crap from the internet or rowse craigs for potentially stolen goods in the past yr. I know my choices in the passed were not the best but I don't plan on ever doing stupid things like that, especially while in a career with LE at risk.

I don't know about the candidates in your area but down here in south fl most "kids" my age have sold, used or use illegal and prescription drugs recreationaly, have shoplifted, have poor driving records, sued private parties and insurances with flase injury claims, unprofessional apearance (between the ofensive tattoos and the peircings), etc.

Would you DQ over illegal p2p file sharing and buying potentialy stolen goods?

If so how clean are the candidates you would/have hired?
Than

Btw thanks for taking your time to answer my question in both threads.

[Curt581]

So would you wouldn't hire me?

If I were in a position to make that decision, I probably would not. You did ask for opinions. I gave it to you straight and honest... or would you rather be fed a sugar-coated lump of BS?

Between work and school I really haven't had time to download crap from the internet or rowse craigs for potentially stolen goods in the past yr. I know my choices in the passed were not the best but I don't plan on ever doing stupid things like that, especially while in a career with LE at risk.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Why didn't you 'do the right thing' when faced with the choice? It sounds to me like you don't regret what you did because it was wrong, so much as you regret doing those things because they might now cause you some problems.

You say you don't do it anymore, but say "you really haven't had time". Does that mean if you did have time, you would still be doing it?

Why do kids today refuse to believe that choices can have far reaching consequences?

I don't know about the candidates in your area but down here in south fl most "kids" my age have sold, used or use illegal and prescription drugs recreationaly, have shoplifted, have poor driving records, sued private parties and insurances with flase injury claims, unprofessional apearance (between the ofensive tattoos and the peircings), etc.

I choose to believe you are exaggerating. This sounds like an "everyone's doing it" excuse.

However, if what you're saying is true, then I weep for the future of south Florida.

In the past, some police agencies across the country have had to lower hiring standards to compile a large enough list of candidates. Some of them hired people with "less than stellar" backgrounds and attitudes. The results were disasterous. Civil and brutality complaints went way up. Corruption cases went up. Lawsuits went up.

Police agencies learned their lessons, for the most part. They're now mandating psychological testing. Some use a polygraph. Nowadays, they'd rather lower physical agility standards than lower criminal history or moral character standards. Out-of-shape candidates can exercise and go on diets, but it's much harder to change a person's inate character.

Would you DQ over illegal p2p file sharing and buying potentialy stolen goods?

You're missing the point. It's not about disqualifying someone because they downloaded music. It's about disqualifying someone who has demonstrated by their attitude a willingness or propensity to do things they know they shouldn't do if they can benefit and there is little chance of being caught.

In other words... if you're willing to do that, what else are you willing to do? Would you shade the truth a little to make sure a bad guy went to jail? Would you punch someone who spit on you? Would you take a $50 bill from someone you pulled over instead of writing a ticket, if you were sure there was no way you'd get caught? Would you be more likely to take it if your financial situation was a little tight at that moment?

If so how clean are the candidates you would/have hired?

I don't hire anyone. I'm just a tired, old-school cop. But I have been a field training officer and have seen some of the attitudes you describe. I've washed some of those people out during probation. If a rookie was assigned to me that showed some of the moral relativism you've shown, I'd report him and recommend that person be let go.

[BIG STEVE]

I think you may be a little out of touch with reality. If you were to browse through the pages of myspace and facebook of 21 year olds in Miami I guarantee you that the majority will have more than a handful of pictures showing the middle finger, driving while drinking/impaired, smoking MJ and other signs of immaturity. I do recognized that my downloading and buying is immoral and don’t think its OK just because the FBI hasn’t raided my house to grab ahold of my laptop for having a few songs that I downloaded. I just wanted to know how my past would compare to that of others but form your standards I must be going up against Saints.

And would my job show that im able reliable and able to make reasonable decisions? At work I have access to any kind of Rx meds and I could very easily skim a few pills every now and then to sell on the side (for a lot more than the $50 bribe you said id take) or falsify Rx, etc. but I don’t because I know it’s unethical and it can result in having the jobs of others (my supervisors/pharmacist/doctors) ruined or stained.

I understand that you are strict with your beliefs and I admire your desire for honesty and integrity in LE but I wish another LEO would chime in with their experiences and opinions because you would need to go a Sunday Mass and recruit altar boys to ameet your requirements.

[Cat_Doc]

I understand that you are strict with your beliefs and I admire your desire for honesty and integrity in LE but I wish another LEO would chime in with their experiences and opinions because you would need to go a Sunday Mass and recruit altar boys to ameet your requirements.

I also expect strict honesty and integrity in law enforcement.

Do you have a problem with that?

[mythoss]

I understand that you are strict with your beliefs and I admire your desire for honesty and integrity in LE but I wish another LEO would chime in with their experiences and opinions because you would need to go a Sunday Mass and recruit altar boys to ameet your requirements.

Curt is 100% on point.

You need to mature, wait until your 26-27.

[BJJVad]

I have very little experience. I've been on long enough though to have seen where lack of integrity and honesty has gotten someone fired, or jail time.

I have also been on long enough to have seen people stick their foot in their mouth, as you have demonstrated here.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Curt may not hire anyone, BUT I DO - and he is right on the money with every point he has made.

This is not about you, it's about your way of life. And if you think that all of south Florida is on the same page as you, you need to widen your circle of friends.

You may actually get hired, but if your attitude and moral relativism remains a constant, you won't last two years.

[BIG STEVE]

I don't see how I have "my foot stuck in my mouth". And I'm not against integrity and honesty in LE. Infact I think there's not enough of it. I feel rather mature for my age. I have a 30hr/week job while keeping a B avg in school as a full time student, I'm in a long term relationship. I don't go cubbing/partying/alcohol binging etc. I pay my credit cards and bills on time. I guess the only way I could display more maturity would be to have and raise a kid in order to gain your acceptance in the LE community.

You guys have really discouraged me in the past 24 hrs and have made me feel like iv been wasting my time in school. Should I even bother going to my assigned fbat-pat testing?

I've always wanted to be a dectective and put my problem solving skills/honesty to good use. But wow I really hope I'm not viewed like this by my interviewers. =/

[Curt581]

First... it is YOU who is out of touch with reality, at least in how you view law enforcement. The public is demanding more and more accountability from us every day. We are almost continuously scrutinized on every act. We are voice recorded and video taped almost every minute of every day. If it's not our own cameras, it's cell phone cameras used by uninvolved civilians or news media. If installing video cameras in our restrooms was legal, our agencies would do it. None of that is really a bad thing.

Our job gives us unique authority. The one thing that keeps that from turning evil is our integrity. Our ethics is the code we use to maintain that integrity. That's how we maintain the trust of the public and the justice system. Any violation of those ethics reflects on each and every one of us, so the majority of us do our best to weed out those who don't take those ethics seriously.

We aren't saints. We don't claim to be. We make mistakes, just like anyone else. When we make one, we take responsibility. We own up to it. We avoid minimizing or deflecting.

I don't see how I have "my foot stuck in my mouth". And I'm not against integrity and honesty in LE. Infact I think there's not enough of it. I feel rather mature for my age. I have a 30hr/week job while keeping a B avg in school as a full time student, I'm in a long term relationship. I don't go cubbing/partying/alcohol binging etc. I pay my credit cards and bills on time. I guess the only way I could display more maturity would be to have and raise a kid in order to gain your acceptance in the LE community.

You've done some good things. You've also done some bad things. Nothing earth-shattering, but bad none the less.

What you have NOT done is accepted responsibility for your actions, and THAT is what I have a problem with. You've equivocated, you've minimized, you've tried to have us believe that what you've done is normal socially accepted behavior. You've even gone so far as to say that the bad stuff you've done isn't actually bad, because you've had the opportunity to do REAL bad stuff and didn't.

I don't care what you did. Whatever it was, you did it. Therefore, you need to take ownership. Stop trying to push it away or play it off. Man up and accept responsibility.

If there is a way to make amends, you should consider doing it. Take the suspected stolen property to a police station and have them check the serial number. If it is actually stolen, the owner might like to have it back. He or she paid hard earned money for it. Delete the downloaded music and software. Stop taking performance enhancing supplements, if for no other reason than your own long term health.

Do all that, and you might stand a chance in front of an interviewer. Three to five years from now.

[Cat_Doc]

What you have NOT done is accepted responsibility for your actions, and THAT is what I have a problem with. You've equivocated, you've minimized, you've tried to have us believe that what you've done is normal socially accepted behavior. You've even gone so far as to say that the bad stuff you've done isn't actually bad, because you've had the opportunity to do REAL bad stuff and didn't.

I don't care what you did. Whatever it was, you did it. Therefore, you need to take ownership. Stop trying to push it away or play it off. Man up and accept responsibility.

I am most serious on this; next time I have to issue a Performance Improvement Recommendation or Letter of Reprimand, I am going to send a synopsis of cause and effect to you requesting proper prose!

Excellent!

[ChevySSP]

Steve, I don't have the time that a lot of these folks do, and I certainly don't hire people. I'm just a simple rookie trying to learn the job.

I too, am 21 years old and I posses many of the same details that you brought to light. I too had blemishes on my record that I wasn't too proud of.

But.....I never mitigated what I did, and I certainly never "chalked" it up to the fact that everyone does it.

See, the whole "everyone does it" mentality is VERY juvenile....and really furthers Curt's reasoning that you are not owning up to your decisions in life. True, there are kids out in society that smoke dope, deal drugs and party non stop. Those people are also not applying to be an LEO, something that requires immense responsibility.

I'm no alter boy by any means. I'm a stubborn, PITA guy who went through the process admitting to everything and taking responsibility for all of my decisions. Yeah, some of them weren't great, and yes I sweated a lot during the process. But they were my decisions and for better or worse I stood by them.

Of course, you can do it your way and say that everyone around you does it and that excludes you from any responsibility. Lets see if your way works.