Possible Disqualifiers

[fromLA]

This seems like a bunch of possible 'disqualifiers', but here is some relevant details first.

Current age: 22. Planning on applying to be a LEO in 13-37 months, depending on if I decide to go to grad school. Live in San Diego, hoping to move to and apply with the Denver PD.

1. Had a fake id and used it to purchase alcohol for myself and a few friends (none of whom ever got in trouble as a result of having/consuming what I helped provide). It was just for personal consumption. I and the others, were 18-20 years old. I regret the decision now, but hopefully it can be seen as youthful stupidity. I hadn't decided what career I wanted to pursue at the time. If only I could change the past....

2. Used the fake id to play blackjack at a Vegas casino (2 for the sake of honesty- the others never carded me)

3. Have carried a pocket knife, with the blade under 3 1/2 inches in my pocket, while walking about town, the city, as well as on 2009 and 2010 roadtrip/vacations to NV,AZ,CO,UT,WY,NM,TX,LA.

4. During Freshman year of College, at age 19, I was present in a dorm-room where alcohol was being consumed. One of the R.A.'s (resident advisers) came to the door; upon seeing into the room, she noticed an open bottle of vodka. All 7 or 8 people in the room were written up for violating 'Campus' policy by knowingly being present in a dorm which contained alcohol. I didn't purchase that vodka, but my two bottles of beer, that I had purchased, (with the aforementioned fake) and which were out of her range of sight, were immediately disposed of when the R.A. left. As a result of being caught with the alcohol, I and the others were put on 1 year of social probation (with the school- not any LE agency or dept). Had I been written up for anything no matter how minor, I would have been eligible to have my fin. aid revoked, and expulsion from the dorm. Those were worst case scenarios, since i have known others to be written up for alcohol and pot violations on multiple occasions, without ever facing either of those two possible consequences. Also, as another consequence, I had to enroll in an alcohol abuse prevention program, and pay it's subsequent 100 dollar fee. Lastly, I had to meet with a school therapist, all of these things were s.o.p. for an alcohol/pot violation, and talk to her about alcohol consumption. After one 20 minute session, she released me from having to come to any further sessions, because she saw that it was a simple alcohol violation by a person with no alcohol abuse problems. Others in similar situations usually must attend 3 mandatory sessions unless the therapist clears you. The final punishment, was to write a 2 page, double spaced, paper on what I learned from the incident.

5. Finally, in October of 2009, at age 20, I was at fault in an injury accident in San Diego. I rear ended a vehicle, totaling her car and mine. For the sake of precaution, she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance (at the request of the first officer to arrive on scene). The accident happened about 100 yards from the emergency room entrance of the hospital to which she was taken. It probably doesn't matter, but she said she was fine, and nevertheless, was persuaded to take the ambulance ride, even though she could have easily walked through the entrance. She was actually turning into the medical center's parking complex further down the block. My insurance company took care of her car and personal injury bills, though she did consider suing me. Her lawyer surely told her that it was in her interest to take the insurance company's money than to sue a college student with no cash. Before this accident, and to this day, I have not been involved in another automobile accident, nor have I ever received a ticket, citation, or parking violation. Also, since they probably will check, my car, which also has both of my parents listed as insured drivers, did receive a parking citation, but it wasn't my fault. My father parked the car on the street, (they live in a condo association in Los Angeles) and the car received a parking ticket because it hadn't moved in 48/72 hours (whatever the Los Angeles rule is for a car to be left alone). That ticket was obviously paid, but wasn't my fault, nor was i involved.

So, upon reading this long list of transgressions, will I probably/definitely be DQ'ed from joining the DPD (or any PD for that matter)? Also, are any of these problems federal DQ's, since i was also looking at a federal LEO job?

If possible, try to provide an explanation in addition to the yes/no('s). Until then, I will try and look for other career options. Thanks.

[mcsap]

This seems like a bunch of possible 'disqualifiers', but here is some relevant details first.

Current age: 22. Planning on applying to be a LEO in 13-37 months, depending on if I decide to go to grad school. Live in San Diego, hoping to move to and apply with the Denver PD.

1. Had a fake id and used it to purchase alcohol for myself and a few friends (none of whom ever got in trouble as a result of having/consuming what I helped provide). It was just for personal consumption. I and the others, were 18-20 years old. I regret the decision now, but hopefully it can be seen as youthful stupidity. I hadn't decided what career I wanted to pursue at the time. If only I could change the past.... Bruise

2. Used the fake id to play blackjack at a Vegas casino (2 for the sake of honesty- the others never carded me)
Ding
3. Have carried a pocket knife, with the blade under 3 1/2 inches in my pocket, while walking about town, the city, as well as on 2009 and 2010 roadtrip/vacations to NV,AZ,CO,UT,WY,NM,TX,LA. Means nothing

4. During Freshman year of College, at age 19, I was present in a dorm-room where alcohol was being consumed. One of the R.A.'s (resident advisers) came to the door; upon seeing into the room, she noticed an open bottle of vodka. All 7 or 8 people in the room were written up for violating 'Campus' policy by knowingly being present in a dorm which contained alcohol. I didn't purchase that vodka, but my two bottles of beer, that I had purchased, (with the aforementioned fake) and which were out of her range of sight, were immediately disposed of when the R.A. left. As a result of being caught with the alcohol, I and the others were put on 1 year of social probation (with the school- not any LE agency or dept). Had I been written up for anything no matter how minor, I would have been eligible to have my fin. aid revoked, and expulsion from the dorm. Those were worst case scenarios, since i have known others to be written up for alcohol and pot violations on multiple occasions, without ever facing either of those two possible consequences. Also, as another consequence, I had to enroll in an alcohol abuse prevention program, and pay it's subsequent 100 dollar fee. Lastly, I had to meet with a school therapist, all of these things were s.o.p. for an alcohol/pot violation, and talk to her about alcohol consumption. After one 20 minute session, she released me from having to come to any further sessions, because she saw that it was a simple alcohol violation by a person with no alcohol abuse problems. Others in similar situations usually must attend 3 mandatory sessions unless the therapist clears you. The final punishment, was to write a 2 page, double spaced, paper on what I learned from the incident.
Ding
5. Finally, in October of 2009, at age 20, I was at fault in an injury accident in San Diego. I rear ended a vehicle, totaling her car and mine. For the sake of precaution, she was taken to the hospital in an ambulance (at the request of the first officer to arrive on scene). The accident happened about 100 yards from the emergency room entrance of the hospital to which she was taken. It probably doesn't matter, but she said she was fine, and nevertheless, was persuaded to take the ambulance ride, even though she could have easily walked through the entrance. She was actually turning into the medical center's parking complex further down the block. My insurance company took care of her car and personal injury bills, though she did consider suing me. Her lawyer surely told her that it was in her interest to take the insurance company's money than to sue a college student with no cash. Before this accident, and to this, day, I have not been involved in another automobile accident, nor have I ever received a ticket, citation, or parking violation. Also, since they probably will check, my car, which also has both of my parents listed as insured drivers, did receive a parking citation, but it wasn't my fault. My father parked the car on the street, (they live in a condo association in Los Angeles) and the car received a parking ticket because it hadn't moved in 48/72 hours (whatever the Los Angeles rule is for a car to be left alone). That ticket was obviously paid, but wasn't my fault, nor was i involved. Barely noticeable ding, parking ticket means nothing.

So, upon reading this long list of transgressions, will I probably/definitely be DQ'ed from joining the DPD (or any PD for that matter)? Also, are any of these problems federal DQ's, since i was also looking at a federal LEO job?

If possible, try to provide an explanation in addition to the yes/no('s). Until then, I will try and look for other career options. Thanks.

Here , now and today , the worst thing in your background is the fake ID / providing alcohol to minors. And those usder 21 are considered minors. This happened somewhat recently for you. Get your degree and maybe polish up your background with community service , volunteer work , etc.

Do some GOOD things in your life rather than just letting the bad slowly go away.

[fromLA]

Can anybody else offer their .02? Based on Mcsap's comments, i take it they aren't automatic disqualifiers, but nevertheless look really bad. Anybody want to answer on if they would accept me (or anyone else who these might have happened to)? Also, am I right in presuming their's no point tryting to rationalize the behavior. Lastly, anybody got an idea on what this means for federal LE agencies?

[hutchins]

I agree 100% with mcsap. I'm only 3 years older than you, fromLA. I was hired on by my agency when I was your age. You need to start doing some things that shows you are not a child anymore. I decided that when I was 18 that I wanted to be a police officer and spent my college years working as a dispatcher and staying out of trouble. You have recently given alcohol to minors.
While none of these will disqualify you, it is not a good thing. You need to start doing positive things such as the things mcsap mentioned, including getting a job and showing maturity.
Law enforcement jobs are not easy to get. Getting into Federal law enforcement will require that you have more experience than college, same as most local law enforcement agencies.

Good luck to you.

[fromLA]

for what it's worth, and so you don't have such an unfavorable view towards me, I do have a job. During the summer of 2009, I interned for a S.D. city councilman. It was a bit of a drive, so I left his office right before school resumed for the fall. I do have a personally signed 'thank you' letter from him, for my services. I also worked for Costco during the Oct/Dec of 2009 to pay to repair my vehicle. Like all the other seasonal employees, we were terminated right after Christmas, since we were no longer needed. I chose not to reapply for a more permanent position, since I would be required to work about 30 hours per week, which was more that I was willing to agree to (15-20 hrs/wk at costco plus my primary job at the sports arena of my university). But, currently I work at the sports arena at my University. I began there in March of 2008, and have worked their continuously through the present. I was promoted after 8 months, which is really fast here, and now I help supervise the other staff (we have about 125-150 total) as well as lock the sports arena a few days of the week. I have been entrusted with my own set of keys to the place. I am also looking for an internship while I finish my undergrad. While not technically related to the ask a cop thread, I believe this info might help you get a better sense of my character/maturity. I really appreciate the two answers I have received, though. That has really helped rest my mind.