Change of heart

[Naomit05]

I have been selected to do a background/polygraph test. If I decide I do not want to go through with being in the LAPD, how do I go about it in a professional manner? I don't want to just not show up. any ideas/suggestions on how Iwould go about this?

[retdetsgt]

Call them is the best way. Or write a formal letter, not an email.

[Wolfman]

Call the main person that you have been working with and ask if you can meet them in person. I have always thought that (if you don't live hours away) meeting them in person is best if they have worked with you personally. If you haven't had much interaction with him/her, then just call. If the BI/Poly still has you as a number, then a formal letter.

Regardless of whether you call or not, I would definitely write a formal letter in case they keep your file for future reference on any potential reapplication.

[MikeG]

I have been selected to do a background/polygraph test. If I decide I do not want to go through with being in the LAPD, how do I go about it in a professional manner? I don't want to just not show up. any ideas/suggestions on how Iwould go about this?

Not a LEO, but in AZ, I think this would mean you have received a conditional job offer that you are turning down? Whenever I've hired for private sector jobs, I always wanted to know why the person rejected the offer (like you, they pursued it, then turn it down). I never liked the flat 'No thanks' response, even if formal. I wanted to know if it was for geography/climate (we often relocate), salary, working conditions, better job offer, family considerations, decide to go back to school, etc, etc. For me, someone giving a "good" reason might get a second look in the future if they applied again. Good reasons usually revolve around a personal change of status (i.e. husband got into better med school than expected and can't take new job right away or wife became pregnant and didn't want to move in the short term). "No reason" turn downs would usually mean they used us to get more money out of their current employer and just wasted our time and would not get another chance. Not sure how this works in LEO hiring. You may want to share your turn-down reason with the recruiter or BI person. Even if you think it's a crappy reason, sharing it would show a certain level of character, maturity and respect to let them know your reasons for turning them down.