So You Want to become a cop.......

[prowlassignment]

wow valycop, lots of good info.

for people who want to become officers, please don't bother if you're a gangbanger/drug dealer/watched an episode of CSI and think its all real/want to play cops and robbers on a daily basis

I find it both hilarious and sad at the same time when I see gangbangers smoking weed outside the building of a police officer orientation....then they're actually the ones who come in and sit directly in front of me...giggling about "how dey gonna become da po-lice fo sho"

Why do certain people think its all fun and games, going into a police interview wearing a tshirt and shorts after they somehow passed all the other aspects of the process, haha don't they get a clue when they see everyone else wearing a suit and tie and worrying about being 100 percent lint free?

[greenjt320]

"""First, do yourself a favor start a “background investigation” on yourself. Go to your local motor vehicle administration and obtain a copy of your driving transcript. Hopefully you won’t have any serious violations such as reckless driving, DUI/DWI because violations such as these may have an adverse affect. Look over the record carefully for any incorrect information and if you find anything bring it to the attention of the motor vehicle administration personnel for correction.

I had visions of the examiner going all the way back deep into my childhood to drag to the light transgressions committed when I was ten years old. I’m not going to sit here and tell you I was an angel, but I can truthfully say I wasn’t “Damien” from the “Omen” series of movies either. """




This is the first time I've ever posted a thread on a website. I'm going to ask a few questions, and if they seem as stupid as yankeeman411 I'm sorry. Since many people at this website are police officers, I was thinking you may be able to answer my questions. First off, in regards to the driving record portion of valycops post, I am not sure if I have a reckless driving offense on my record. The only time I've been pulled over I got a speeding ticket for going 21mph over the speed limit, is that considered reckless driving? The second question I have is in regards to the background check. I have been arrested when I was a young immature minor for what I believe is a felony if over 18, however I was a minor at the time and the records were "expunged". My second question is do background checks get "expunged" records from when people are under the age of 18. I believe they (the court personnel) told me that I wouldn't have to put these offenses on any application or anything once they were "expunged".

Again I am really sorry if my post seemed stupid like yankeeman411. I am extremely interested in becoming a police officer and hope that the actions I made when I was young won't have any effect on my dreams for today. Thanks in advance for everybody's help!

[Roger Dat]

I'm not an LEO but from past posts heres what I can recommend to you.

The driving thing if it was one time and was awhile ago can probably be overlooked I dont think its a major hurdle. However being charged with what woul have been considered a felony if u were older may not DQ you but its going to be a hurdle for you to overcome. You will be competing against candidates with no arrersts etc.

As far as the expunged record, you are going to have to disclose the arrest on any application or BI packet that you eventually fill out. While it is true that you dont have to put it on ordinary applications this isnt so when applying for a PD. If you fail to disclose it and they do find it ( and they eventually will), you will definitely be DQ'ed for honesty, possibly a permanant DQ.

All you can do is try but be ready for a long road.

Good luck

[old school]

I would like to thank you very much for the information, it has helped me a great deal so far in my attempt to get hired. I was wondering if you could tell me how long the wait is usually in between steps of the hiring process. I passed the agility portion about a month and a half ago, and I haven't heard anything. I haven't been able to get any answers so far. Does the lengthy wait mean I was DQ'd or will they let me know of any decision that they make.

[Roger Dat]

Lengthy wait has nothing to do with whether or not you are DQ'ed I have waited a few months between some steps and a few weeks between others. It depends on the pace the department is running and when they expect to fill the slots. Be prepared to wait.

[Cadetwannabee]

I passed everything. I got bumped up from 4 to 1. They offered me a conditional job offer a month ago and I accepted. Does that mean Iam a sure thing? Please Reply!!!!!!!!!I am x military as well...

[TheOrteganator]

Excellent guide. I've just printed it and will be making precisely 24 copies to hand out to all of the other Cadets in my post at our next meeting. Thanks. +1

[dj chomp]

"I can say without hesitation that i screwed up big and used marijuana when i was in college (over the maximum amount allowed)."

I do not support the use of drugs. One reason I want to be a cop is to curb Arizona's drug infestation. However, I disagree with how strict the past drug use rules are in the application process. Why cant someone make some bad decisions and learn from them? I think if you can demonstrate that you aren't going to make the same dumb choices you should have an equal opportunity for employment.

I have smoked weed at least 20 times, and I tried snorting coke twice and I even ate some shrooms once upon a time. So what? It was high school. I was never addicted, it was all socially normal fun. Since then Ive been clean and morally opposed to drugs. Ive seen what long term use can do to people and I want to become a cop. Why not?

[Roger Dat]

The problem with the cocaine and the mushrooms is two fold. One is that they are a higher schedule drug which is a felony in most if not all states I believe, not a misdemeanor like marijuana is. Secondly, with shrooms it is possible that the effects of the drug could come back and give you a "trip" at any given point. There has been some disagreements as to whether this is proven but I'd rather not take the chance of my partner going on a "trip" at a crucial point.

With the marijuana smoking at least 20 times its not maybe so much that most people have tried it and that you dont do it now, what is even more important is that your competing against candidates whi have completely clean backgrounds and drug histories. Using coke and mushrooms = find a new career choice.

Also I dont know where you are from but any type of drug was never considered "social fun". At least not where I come from

[Citicop]

Originally Posted by dj chomp

"I can say without hesitation that i screwed up big and used marijuana when i was in college (over the maximum amount allowed)."

I do not support the use of drugs. One reason I want to be a cop is to curb Arizona's drug infestation. However, I disagree with how strict the past drug use rules are in the application process. Why cant someone make some bad decisions and learn from them? I think if you can demonstrate that you aren't going to make the same dumb choices you should have an equal opportunity for employment.

I have smoked weed at least 20 times, and I tried snorting coke twice and I even ate some shrooms once upon a time. So what? It was high school. I was never addicted, it was all socially normal fun. Since then Ive been clean and morally opposed to drugs. Ive seen what long term use can do to people and I want to become a cop. Why not?

Because it's illegal, doofus.

Being a cop is about enforcing the law and being able to make good decisions. You have shown a pattern of disrespect for the law and very poor decision making here (more than 20 misdemeanors and three felonies). Past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior; it can be expected that you will continue to make poor decisions in the future.

I also find it interesting that you want to "curb the drug infestation" in your area, but when YOU did drugs, it was "socially normal fun".

Find a new career, you won't hack it in this one.

Citicop.

[cntryboy0531]

Originally Posted by dj chomp

"I can say without hesitation that i screwed up big and used marijuana when i was in college (over the maximum amount allowed)."

I do not support the use of drugs. One reason I want to be a cop is to curb Arizona's drug infestation. However, I disagree with how strict the past drug use rules are in the application process. Why cant someone make some bad decisions and learn from them? I think if you can demonstrate that you aren't going to make the same dumb choices you should have an equal opportunity for employment.

I have smoked weed at least 20 times, and I tried snorting coke twice and I even ate some shrooms once upon a time. So what? It was high school. I was never addicted, it was all socially normal fun. Since then Ive been clean and morally opposed to drugs. Ive seen what long term use can do to people and I want to become a cop. Why not?

Mistake or not, it's illegal. Coke, Shrooms, that's all FELONY'S. Which you knew about. You knew it was a felony crime doing them, and you blatantly disregarded the law, and done them anyways. THATS why it is quite a bad thing in the hiring process.

You want to curb Arizona's drug infestation, but yet, you view your own usage as "socially normal fun"? Smoked weed at least 20 times and you say you were never addicted?? Come on... :rolleyes:

You need to take a look at other career fields, because this one just isn't going to work out for you.

[Malice]

What is considered a good score on the written test and B-Pad? Thank you.

[Roger Dat]

Depends on the agency and if the test is specific to that department or for an entire county like mine is. Anything 90 and above here is good. Obviously the higher your score the quicker you will be contacted by an agency.

[Malice]

I took my written and B-Pad for Columbus Ohio PD on Nov.3rd of this year. Now just waiting for results to see if I progress to the physical and so forth. I called PD for ride along, which was told to me would be a good idea, but when I called was told to wait till I got results and then they would go by results if they decided to give the ride along.

[ROS]

Originally Posted by dj chomp

I have smoked weed at least 20 times, and I tried snorting coke twice and I even ate some shrooms once upon a time. So what? It was high school. I was never addicted, it was all socially normal fun. Since then Ive been clean and morally opposed to drugs.

You're currently "morally opposed to drugs" and yet in the sentence before state that usage of coke and shrooms is "socially normal fun"? :rolleyes:

Could a Moderator close this thread to maintain its integrity?