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

[valycop]

So You Want to Become a Cop……


My goal in posting this information is to help those reading these lines to realize the dream they have about becoming a Law Enforcement Officer. I do not claim to be an expert, but after thirty years on the job I believe that at least some of the ideas and suggestions I’m passing along may be helpful in your quest. I’ve experienced first hand everything I’m passing along to you so I speak from experience.
Constructive criticism is welcome and sought after, so future revisions can incorporate your ideas and suggestions.

About me

A little of my background is in order I started my law enforcement career by joining the reserve officer program of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C. in 1975. DC was hiring at that time, but I was not ready to make a commitment to a law enforcement career until I had a “taste” of what police work was all about. After a year as a reserve it became clear that this was indeed what I wanted to do for the rest of my working life and my quest to realize that goal began. I am currently a Deputy Sheriff III (senior deputy) in northwestern Virginia and I am celebrating 20 years with this agency in 2005.

Disclaimer

I can’t possibly anticipate or elaborate on all possible aspects of the hiring process because of the variations you will encounter. My goal is to help you avoid some of the pitfalls and mistakes I made in the early years that I believe will apply to just about anyone who sets out to become a Law Enforcement Officer.


Part One-Questions you need to ask yourself and others.

First, you need to ask yourself why you want to become a Law Enforcement Officer. If it’s just to wear a nice uniform badge and gun then seek another profession! This is a job that is not all fun and games; it is not cops and robbers. It is without doubt one of the most stressful professions anywhere in the world. I know of no other profession other than the military where you literally carry the responsibility of life and death by the weapon carried on your side.

Second, you need to ask yourself will I be able to handle the stresses of the job as well as the physical aspects. With that you need to ask how will my becoming a Law Enforcement Officer affect me, my family and even my friends. Talk to Law Enforcement Officers you may already be acquainted with and ask them “what’s it really like?” Most will answer you truthfully and can give you great insight as to their experiences. You need to talk to family members as to how they feel about your goal. My own parents hated the idea of my becoming a lawman because of the risks involved and the chance I might be killed. Your spouse will have thoughts and feelings that you need to know beforehand. Don’t just walk through the door one day and announce “hey honey I’ve just joined our local police department.” That’s a sure fire way of heading for divorce court. You also need input from your friends about how they will feel towards you if you “put on the blue” someday.

Third, before going any farther contact your local law enforcement agency and ask if they have a “ride along” program that you could participate in. To me this is crucial because it will at least give you some insight through your own senses as to what a Law Enforcement Officer really does on the job. And don’t just ride one time tell the person in charge of the program why you want to ride more than once. Tell them that you’re really interested in the job and you would like to be able to ride again on different shifts with different officers to get at least a feel for what the job is all about.

Fourth, you need to ask yourself what type of lawman do you want to become. Federal, state, and local agencies all have benefits and drawbacks and you need to decide what’s right for you and what kind of agency you want to go to work for. Ask or research through the Internet salaries, benefits, retirement and disability programs the prospective agency has to offer. Then ask yourself if you can support yourself and your family (or prospective family) on what is offered. I’ve always told prospective LEO’s don’t come into this profession expecting to make huge salaries! Sure, you can make big salaries as you advance through the ranks in the larger agencies, but are you willing to commit to the study and hard work necessary to achieve those high ranks? You must decide this for yourself and work to achieve those goals,

Fifth, contact the agencies you’re interested in to find out what they require as qualifications for their department. Some require a college degree; some require college credit hours equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree and others only require a high school diploma. There may be height and weight restrictions and some have an eyesight standard. Check into the requirements and if you find yourself deficient in some area work toward meeting those requirements. Many agencies have a no smoking policy in effect so if you smoke and your goal is to work for a particular agency that has this policy, quit smoking!

Part Two- Starting the process.

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.

Second, send for a credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies such as Equifax and look at your credit report. Some credit reporting agencies may have included incorrect information on your credit report that could have an impact on your application. I had an experience many years ago where someone with relatively similar personal information as mine had a loan showing up on my credit report. Fortunately the person was paying their loan according to terms, but if it had been delinquent it could have been a problem. It took me almost six months to convince the credit-reporting agency that this loan was not mine.

Third, go to your local and state law enforcement agencies and ask for a criminal history check for the very same reasons I’ve outlined above. I think you would be surprised how many people come into the courts every month mostly for an incorrect driving transcript because a family member, friend or even a complete stranger has used someone else’s identity and gotten himself or herself into trouble and now you unwittingly have a criminal history or bad driving record.

Fourth, contact your high school and/or college to obtain copies of your school transcripts and diplomas. This may sound easy, but in many cases it will take some time depending on how long you’ve been out of school to receive your transcripts. You may want to check to find out if you can have the copies notarized in the event the agency your applying to requires it. Same goes for any vocational or trade schools you may have attended either before during or after high school or college. Believe me having your transcripts handy will help to speed things along. This also applies to the military because they may ask you for a copy of your discharge papers or other information about your military service they might feel is important.

Fifth, find the copy of your birth certificate and if it’s lost or misplaced you need to obtain one from the registrar of births whether it be from the hospital you were born in or the local or state government agency for your area. Post 9/11 has made this a critical piece of documentation and I actually keep mine in a safety deposit box along with my draft card!

Part Three-The application.

First, and this is quite obvious go to the agency or agencies you’re interested in applying and obtain an application. Please do yourself a favor, ask for more than one preferably three application forms. If you make mistakes and you only have one you’re going to feel very foolish when you have to go back and ask for another. Don’t use “whiteout!” Fill out one of the applications as a guide for yourself to be used when you transfer the information to the “final” copy you plan to submit to the agency. Remember the “worksheet” tax forms you can use while doing your taxes, same reason here. It’s better to make mistakes on the “practice application” than your final draft.

Second, read each question carefully! Many people breeze through the questions too fast in their excitement and make mistakes. Read and read again each question if necessary before you answer. Write down your answers in pencil on the practice copy that way if you do make a mistake or want to change something just go back and erase.

Third, now that you have completed the “practice application” it’s time to move on to the final copy that you’re going to submit. If you know how to type by all means type the application! If you don’t type find someone who does and is willing to help you. Here is another reason for the “practice application.” The person doing the typing will have an easier job (unless they can’t read your handwriting) by simply taking the information from one page and typing it on the other. But, what if you can’t type and you don’t find anyone to type it for you? PRINT the answers to the questions on the application. When I’ve worked on applications for prospective law enforcement officers for my agency I like to see the answers clearly written whether it be on a typewriter or printed. It will slow the process down if the person assigned to the background investigation can’t read the answers to some of the questions and then they have to call you for clarification.

Fourth, contact family, friends and coworkers at your current job who you plan to use as references and tell them that you have applied to become a Law Enforcement Officer and you would like to name them as a reference. Some people would prefer not to be used as a reference for whatever reason so give them a chance to say no. It is a common courtesy for the reference to know that they will receive a call about you. And, you should ask your references if there is a convenient time for the background investigator to call them where they have a better chance of making contact.

Fifth, when filling out your application and you’ve come to the part of your past and present work history follow the instructions for the information that the agency is seeking. I’ve seen applications that list a persons complete work history taking the reader all the way back to when the applicant was a teenager. This would only apply if the person was in their early twenties and the work history was not extensive. Typically an application will ask for the work history from your current and three to five of your most recent employers. If the background investigator assigned your application needs more employment information then supply the additional information he/she will need. This also applies to any information the background investigator may require.

Sixth, watch those application deadlines! Post a note to yourself in a convenient place to remind you of the application deadline. I have watched as prospective applicants walk through the doors to our agency after a deadline has passed only to be told “sorry, but the deadline for filing applications was last week.” Please don’t let yourself fall into this trap and this goes for open examinations for larger agencies that hold examination sessions. Memorize the deadline date!

Seventh, and this is the most important, answer the questions truthfully to the very best of your knowledge and belief. I have conducted background investigations where the applicant has lied and at our agency that’s grounds for immediate disqualification. Be sure to answer all of the questions as fully as possible and if you come to one that needs further clarification be sure to bring it to the attention of the agency representative when you turn it back in.

Eighth, be prepared to have your fingerprints taken as well as a photograph for submission to the various agencies that will be contacted as part of your background investigation. At the very least you’re looking at a set of fingerprints for the FBI, the state police and the agency you’re applying to. If you’re ex-military a set for your branch of service may need a copy of your fingerprints as part of the verification process.

***Applications are different for each agency and I can’t possibly address each and every question an application may contain. Our application clearly states, “Should you have any questions regarding this application do not hesitate to contact this office for clarification. Personnel staff will take whatever time is necessary to explain any part of the application which you do not fully understand.” If you have questions about any part of an application then by all means call or go by the agency and seek clarification.

Part Four-The written pre-employment examination.

Many agencies large and small have some form of a pre-employment examination with questions that cover a variety of topics. I have taken many different types of pre-employment examinations and the questions differ from agency to agency. Some are based on Civil Service examinations others are made up from questions from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and still others are examinations that make the examinee think they are taking the SAT’s! It can be a confusing and nerve wracking experience when you go into an examination session not knowing what to expect.

First, if the agencies you’re applying to have examinations ask if they have sample questions or a study guide. If they don’t try to find out what the examination questions are based on. Many large agencies have a “Civil Service Test” and study guides can be purchased in any good bookstore, office supply store or the Internet. Spend the money and buy the study guide! The questions may or may not be identical to the ones in the study guide, but at least they will give you some idea of what might be included.

Second, if you have a study guide then by all means devote a sufficient amount of time in your daily schedule to go over it. Don’t try to cram for the examination at the last minute because more times than not you will only overload your brain and you’ll end up doing poorly on the exam. You must decide how much time to devote to studying and that I leave up to you. You know from your past educational experience how many hours it took for you to study to obtain the good grades in high school or college. If it worked for you then there is no reason for it not to work for you now.

Third, dress comfortably for the examination day in appropriate attire that reflects a good impression. I have seen applicants show up at examination sessions in torn jeans, unshaven (no that doesn’t apply to women), tank tops, flip flops and a variety of other attire which instantly sends the wrong message. I personally have proctored examination sessions and when I see someone come into the examination session dressed like they would to clean out the garage then the first thing that pops into my head is “who is THIS person.” If you make a bad impression at the examination session it could very well spill over into the background investigation. Use good common sense in this situation it will pay off in the long run.

Fourth, bring at least one #2 lead pencil and one ballpoint pen (black ink) to the examination session. Most personnel departments will supply pens or pencils for the examination, but if it is an open session where there is a potential for a large turnout then by all means come prepared.

Fifth, be sure to get good nights sleep the night before the examination session. I know you will be excited, worried, nervous, tense or a combination of those and other feelings, but at least try. Don’t drink a lot of coffee, tea or caffeinated soda before the examination as this may very well have adverse effects on your ability to successfully complete the exam. You’ve heard the expression “Wired for sound,” well that’s a good way to illustrate what happens when you drink too much caffeine. You may also find yourself in a position of severe discomfort after the proctor announces, “Once the examination begins no one may leave the room for any reason.” I have seen this many times and I instantly know who has had too much caffeine to drink by how much they squirm in their seat!

Sixth, follow the instructions on the examination booklet or verbally from the proctor. Don’t leave unanswered questions; if you don’t immediately know the answer go to the next question then come back to the questions you haven’t finished. Unanswered questions will have a negative effect on your score no matter what. If you’re simply not sure or don’t know the answer it’s better to take a guess than to leave the answer blank. If you don’t understand the question then ask the proctor for an explanation to help you answer the question correctly. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help from the proctor that’s what they are there for in addition to keeping the examination session honest.

Seventh, keep your eyes on your own examination papers! I know you’ve heard that so many times from your high school teachers you probably want to scream “I know” if you and I were sitting face to face right now. You have to understand that cheating on an examination for pre-employment could disqualify you for any further consideration.

Part Five-The physical agility test.

Just about every agency I have had dealings with in the last twenty of my thirty-year career has both a physical agility test and a physical fitness program. In this line of work you have to maintain a high level of physical fitness as a means of self-preservation! Officer survival depends on you and your commitment to being physically able to handle the dangers of the job. You will be handling drunks, drug addicts who are high, deranged people and a host of others including the proverbial cat stuck up in a tree (please don’t do what Tackleberry did in the movie “Police Academy,” because that will be a career ending move beside having the local SPCA jumping down your throat). All joking aside you need to start gearing up for the physical agility test and the physical fitness exercises you will be required to perform in the police academy.

First, check with the agency your interested in to find out what their physical agility test consists of. Most that I know of have a running course, push-ups, sit-ups, pull ups, a dummy drag and a host of other requirements as part of the test. My personal weakness was in the run and push-ups. So I went out to better myself before I took the agility test. You need to do the same thing. If you’re weak in certain areas then start exercising in the areas you are weakest in first, but please exercise for all of the portions of the test.

Second, if you have any doubts about your current level of physical fitness and you consider yourself older than the average rookie officer check with your physician to hear what they have to say about precautions you need to take before starting a program for yourself.

Third, on the morning or afternoon of the test don’t overload yourself with a big breakfast or lunch. One of my closest friends is a career firefighter who has lifted weights for years starting when he was a teen and he told me of the day he took the test. Even though my friend was in great shape it was a hot day and he lost his breakfast while doing the test. Have a light breakfast or lunch so you don’t end up tossing your cookies all over the place.

Fourth, bring something to drink to the test site. I don’t mean soda pop I mean Gatorade or something similar. You will get hot and you will sweat I promise you that and you’ll need something to replace the fluids you lost during the test. To replace potassium bring along a banana as they are high in potassium and will help you to prevent cramps later on.

Fifth, don’t kill yourself just do the best you can. If you start to have problems such as cramps or God forbid chest pains tell the instructors at the testing site immediately. All you may need to do is take a break for a couple of minutes and I’ve found most instructors are there to help as well as conduct the test so if you feel you need help, ask!

Sixth, bring a towel with you to help cool off and wipe the sweat away and even a change of cloths if you’re permitted to use a locker room at the testing site to change. You’ll feel better with fresh cloths on rather than jumping into your car all hot and sweaty. Check with the agency on this.

Part Six-The pre-employment interview.

***To repeat myself I have no way of knowing what questions may be put to you in a pre-employment interview just like the application. I can only pass along pointers to help you get through the interview as best you can. The “oral” as so many people call it causes the most stress of any phase of the application process. Without doubt the anxiety level soars when you walk in the room and look at one or more unsmiling faces staring back at you!

Okay, if you have made it this far congratulate yourself because you’ve passed the pre-employment and physical agility examinations with a high enough score that the agency has further interest in you. I also believe that your application has been given a cursory examination by the agency administration and that coupled with your exam scores has sent you on to the next level. So take a moment and pat yourself on the back take a deep breath and be prepared because the anxiety does get worse!

First, just like the night before the pre-employment examination you need to try and get a good night sleep. This does not mean you go out with your friends and get hammered at your local nightspot! It means go to bed at a reasonable time and try to get some sleep! When you get up the next morning take a shower this will help wake you up and as everyone knows a shower will help to refresh you. If you’re over tired you won’t be able to concentrate the way you should and that may cause you to leave a bad impression with the interviewers. For goodness sake don’t yawn in front of the interviewers you’ll cause a mental reaction of “Are we boring you” in the minds of the interviewers. I’ve seen it happen.

Second, wear a suit and tie, sport coat and tie with clean pressed dress pants or trousers and shined shoes. For the ladies wear a nice dress, pants suit or clothing you feel is appropriate for the interview. Remember this may be the first visual impression you’re going to make on the member(s) of the interview committee so you want your “visual best.” Recently we had an interview session for prospective applicants and one young man came to the interview in an old blue jean jacket, worn out blue jean pants a ragged flannel shirt and sneakers that looked like they were twenty years old. This had a negative reaction from one of the command staff of our agency as soon as he laid eyes on him. His comment to me was “He must not want the job very badly does he?” Bingo, an impression had already been formed in the mind of one of the interviewers. When it was all said and done all four made comments not only about what was said in the interview, but also the applicants sloppy appearance.

Third, for goodness sake don’t chew gum or anything else during the interview! Gum chewing is frowned upon, but if you must do something for your growling stomach which has managed to tie itself into knots then suck on a lifesaver. This will have multiple benefits you may not even be aware of such as quieting the stomach and freshening your breath! Hey I’ll be the first one to admit I have “horse breath” and no it’s not because I kiss horses either. My dentist explained to me that I’m one of those people who have very hard teeth, heavy plaque production and the inherent bad breath that goes along with it. And for those of you who chew tobacco don’t have a “chaw” just before going into the interview! There’s nothing worse than spitting a load of tobacco juice into a trashcan or seeing tobacco leaves stuck in someone’s teeth!

Fourth, answer the questions the interviewer(s) have fully, truthfully and to the best of your ability. Try not to hem and haw before answering because depending on the question it may give the impression you’re trying to hide something or you’re out and out lying. Please don’t try to anticipate the interviewer(s) questions let them finish speaking then begin your answer. The one that seems to cause applicants the most trouble is why you want to become a Law Enforcement Officer. I see this question on the forums on every Police related Internet site I’ve visited. “What do I tell the interviewers when they ask me “Why do you want to become a police officer.”” Folks you need to sit down at home somewhere quiet and jot down your reasons. If they make sense to you I feel confident they’ll make sense to the interviewer(s) as well.

Fifth, I have always been impressed with applicants who at the end of the interview make it a point to thank me and the other members of the interview team for the time we have taken away from our schedules to consider the applicant for employment. One applicant said recently “Thank you for taking the time to consider my application and I hope I have made a favorable impression.” This is optional, but it certainly can’t hurt your chances and I appreciated the comment because I felt it was sincere. If you feel that this might give your interview a little extra boost then by all means pass your thanks along.

Part Seven-The polygraph examination.

The polygraph or lie detector examination is right up there in anxiety levels as the pre-employment interview. All kinds of questions roll around in the applicant’s head as to what the polygraph examiner might ask. When I took the very first polygraph I felt the same way. 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. The polygraph is an electro-mechanical device also known as a lie detector used to determine whether an examinee is truthfully answering questions. It simultaneously measures and records certain physiological changes in the human body, which it is believed, are involuntarily caused by an examinee’s conscious attempt to deceive an interrogator (Black’s Law Dictionary 1990). The examination is conducted by a trained and certified operator who has a list of questions, which will be asked during the test. He or she will ask the questions beforehand and record in writing your responses to those questions. From that question pool the examiner will ask you the questions both he or she believes are important to the examination as well as questions required by the agency. Usually the operator/examiner will take an applicant through the test three times in order to establish a baseline for the applicants physiological state and then twice more for the purpose of detecting deception.

First, please do not take any medication unless your doctor prescribes it. Cold medications, cough syrup and other over the counter remedies can have an adverse affect on your polygraph results. Every polygraph examiner I have ever dealt with has asked as one of the first questions whether or not I had taken any form of medication or alcohol. So unless you have a bad cold or the flu don’t take anything! If you are sick enough to take medication you might want to consider asking for a change in date for the test.

Second, come for the test dressed in comfortable cloths, but again as I pointed out in the pre-employment interview section wear clothing that will reflect favorably upon you.

Third, listen carefully to the questions from the examiner before you answer. This applies to the pre-test and the actual examinations. You don’t want any misunderstanding to occur between you and the examiner by misinterpreting a question.

Fourth, relax you will not be hit by a bolt of electricity caused by the machine so try to stay as calm as possible during the examination. The examiner will give you a chance to take a break between tests so sit back take a deep breath.

Part Eight-The physical examination.

Physicals vary from agency to agency and doctor-to-doctor so this topic is a little more complex than the others. I know the physician’s office our agency uses has a questionnaire you must complete which is quite extensive in scope. I’m sure at this phase of the process you will face a battery of medical questions involving you personally and members of your family. Please be truthful and answer as many of the questions as you possibly can with the information you have. A word of caution, pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to perform the duties of a Law Enforcement Officer must be revealed to the physician as well as the agency that is looking to hire you. Failure to divulge information about pre-existing conditions could cause disqualification or dismissal after you’re hired. Part of the application my agency uses has a section called “Additional Information.” One of the questions under this category asks “List any information concerning additional activities or facts which may affect your qualifications or your ability to perform the duties of the position you are seeking.” Pretty broad I admit, but if you fail to disclose a pre-existing medical condition this could adversely affect your application.

Part Nine-The psychological examination.

In this phase of the application process you are asked to take a psychological examination conducted by a trained and licensed clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. Obviously the agency is trying to determine if you are mentally fit for the duties required of a Law Enforcement Officer. This is an important part of the application process because it will re-affirm the agencies belief in your mental capabilities and your current mental stability. In this world of civil liability, law enforcement agencies have turned to the world of the professional psychologist to conduct a psychological profile of applicants. Gone are the days when the interview by the background investigator or administrator is relied upon as proof of your mental health.

First, this can be an extensive examination depending of course on what the agency is asking for and the test or questions the psychologist/psychiatrist uses in the evaluation process. Again this is an area where the testing and questions asked of you will vary. My advice is to dress appropriately, try to relax during the process and answer the questions truthfully and to the best of your ability.

Part Ten-The background investigation.

The background investigation is just that. In most cases an officer, detective or investigator from the agency you have applied to will be assigned to look at the information provided. He or she will then attempt to verify the information not only to its completeness, but also whether or not it is factual. The investigator will contact friends, relatives, past employers, neighbors, schools and anyone he or she feels is relevant to the investigation. He will be “armed” with your “authorization to release information” that allows him to contact anyone you have named on the application and even people not named such as neighbors who live down the street. He or she will search through his or her own department criminal records and will contact other agencies such as the state motor vehicle administration, state police, FBI and any agency or court who may have had any contact with you. This is why it is so crucial for you to answer questions truthfully either written or verbal. A background investigator who finds something wrong i.e. a serious traffic violation on your driving record or worse will be dismayed if when they ask you about what they found and you answer “Oh I forgot all about that.” I hope you see the reason why I recommended you conduct your own background investigation at the beginning of this article. The last thing you want is an unexpected surprise!

Part Eleven-The final interview.

Well, congratulations you made all the way through the process and you now have an appointment to meet with the Chief, Sheriff, Commissioner or a senior commander of the agency you applied to. Instead of taking you step by step through this final interview I want you to go back and reread the section on the pre-employment interview (part six). Everything I’ve told you there applies to the interview with the senior administrator. The only thing I’m going to add is to be yourself. Don’t try to be something your not because it will create a false impression and believe me that’s the last thing you want to do.

Finally, if for whatever reason you are not hired by this agency, don’t give up! The very next day go out and obtain applications from other agencies near and far and start the process again. I know it’s hard and I know you’re disappointed, but as so many poets have said, “never lose sight of your dream.”

Epilogue-The job.

I thought long and hard before I decided to add this section to my article, but I feel that I must to protect future Law Enforcement Officers from the pain and anguish that so many men and women in this and other professions of high stress experience. The beast that can rear its ugly head is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It can affect police officers, fire fighters, EMS, soldiers, sailors, marines any of us who work in high stress occupations where we literally see so much pain, suffering, death and sheer terror.
As a police academy instructor I’ve spoken to new recruits not only about the dangers this job can bring, but the incredible stress that builds up over time. The stress of this job can boil to the point where suicide seems the only way out. I want each and every one of you who reads these lines to go to this website and read about this often hushed up problem not only for your own sake, but for your family and for the friends you may have or will have in law enforcement. It’s crucial that you recognize the signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because I don’t want you to succumb to the stress that this job can bring.

http://www.tearsofacop.com


My Thanks-To you

To all of you who have decided to pursue a career in law enforcement I take my hat off to you. You are the men and women to whom I will pass the torch and I am confident that I am passing it to people who not only can do the job, but you’ll do the job better than I did. You are the next generation to wear the blue and I wish you the best of luck and may God be watching over you when you hit the streets.

Credits-

Besides the Sixth Addition of Black’s Law Dictionary, the thoughts, ideas, experiences and suggestions are all my own. By posting this article I assume no liability for your personal experiences. I wrote this as a tool for you the reader to use in your quest to become a Law Enforcement Officer. The Webmaster of “Real Police.net” has not compensated me in any way nor did anyone connected with “Real Police.net” ask me to write this article so I absolve him or her of responsibility for the content.

Obviously I cannot anticipate every possible aspect of the hiring process as it will vary from agency to agency, but I believe I have at least given you a glimpse of what to expect and this was my goal. I experienced the disappointment of failure many times during those early years and I hope by my “penning” these lines you will find them useful and maybe avoid some of the mistakes I made. If nothing else maybe I’ve answered some of the questions you might have had on this topic and if it helps you then I’m gratified that my efforts were not in vain.

*****If you wish to “publish” this article on another website, print as a handout, or use it for any other purpose, I ask that you contact me at vadeputy113@yahoo.com for permission. I do claim copyright (2005) to this article and I ask that you respect my wishes.

Thanks,

Deputy Robert Cooley
Winchester, Virginia March 3, 2005

[jonesg11]

This is one worth stickying!

[yankeeman411]

I recently was turned down for a job with the baltimore police department for prior drug use And right now I'm trying to get into the NYPD. My problem is that I plan on lying to the nypd about my drug history and say I never used any drugs. I was wondering if nypd could get my paperwork from baltimore and find out if i'm lyng. If nypd types my name into the computer will they find out that baltimore did a quick check, is their some type of log? I only got as far as filling out paper work and them running a quick screen to see if I have warrants. Please help

[seltzer]

I recently was turned down for a job with the baltimore police department for prior drug use And right now I'm trying to get into the NYPD. My problem is that I plan on lying to the nypd about my drug history and say I never used any drugs. I was wondering if nypd could get my paperwork from baltimore and find out if i'm lyng. If nypd types my name into the computer will they find out that baltimore did a quick check, is their some type of log? I only got as far as filling out paper work and them running a quick screen to see if I have warrants. Please help

Lying on an application?? And you want to be a cop? And arrest people that use/deal drugs, right.

I don't want to hi-jack this once useful thread, so I'll be done now!

[mcsap]

I recently was turned down for a job with the baltimore police department for prior drug use And right now I'm trying to get into the NYPD. My problem is that I plan on lying to the nypd about my drug history and say I never used any drugs. I was wondering if nypd could get my paperwork from baltimore and find out if i'm lyng. If nypd types my name into the computer will they find out that baltimore did a quick check, is their some type of log? I only got as far as filling out paper work and them running a quick screen to see if I have warrants. Please help

And you just got DQ'd by Real Police for planning to lie on your app.

[Fury]

I recently was turned down for a job with the baltimore police department for prior drug use And right now I'm trying to get into the NYPD. My problem is that I plan on lying to the nypd about my drug history and say I never used any drugs. I was wondering if nypd could get my paperwork from baltimore and find out if i'm lyng. If nypd types my name into the computer will they find out that baltimore did a quick check, is their some type of log? I only got as far as filling out paper work and them running a quick screen to see if I have warrants. Please help

Moron

[retdetsgt]

Only lie to wimmin in bars.

[Kimble]

This is one worth stickying!

I'll second that!

[ngcsubutterbar]

Only lie to wimmin in bars.

problem might be is that you're going to bars to pickup women :D

[retdetsgt]

problem might be is that you're going to bars to pickup women :D

Why else would you go there??? :confused: You act like that's a bad thing.

[retdetsgt]

This is one worth stickying!

Yeah, it would nice to refer a lot of question to.

Excellent job!

[ngcsubutterbar]

Why else would you go there??? :confused: You act like that's a bad thing.

well if you like women that like bars there is NOTHING wrong with it

[Star]

This is one worth stickying!

Ros seconded this, I third!!! Woooop!!! May we have a sticky, please???

AWESOME, Bob!!! This is great information!!! I need it at my department. Where can we purchase a copy?

[retdetsgt]

well if you like women that like bars there is NOTHING wrong with it

We ain't talking marriage bureau here..... geez

[Kimble]

Ros seconded this, I third!!! Woooop!!! May we have a sticky, please???

You forgot, jonesg11 firsted it! :D Do we have a forth?