curious about my Back Ground

[fullmetalciti]

I am going to be 23 and am engaged. I have never been fired from a job or have unexplained gaps in employment. I also have good credit. I have a 4 year degree. I have one speeding ticket(2001) and parking ticket(2001). I recieved a minor for alcohol in april 2003, I was arrested in march 2004 for vandalism(misdemeanor) no jail time. I did weed 2-3 times in sept. 2003. The department I am looking at is Sioux falls PD. They want no felonies and no smoking weed for one year. I want to know if I was too stupid back in college that I will fail a background check. I am not going to lie one bit but tell them everything. Thank you for your time in reading my post and replying.

[jarobins]

I can't answer what another PD may do in regards to your application. However, my agency wouldn't hire you due to the recent arrest (and conviction?) for vandalism. If it was about five years ago we would at least consider your application.

IMHO, it shows a great deal of immaturity which can't be chalked up to being a young and dumb teenager. If you didn't have respect for other people's property and respect for the law at 21 then I doubt that two years has changed much. Character and integrity count more than a college degree or experience.

The only thing that you can do is try anyway. If you're not successful wait a few years and try again. However, like we always say you'll be competing against applicants that do have clean backgrounds so you will need to excel in other areas in order to compensate for your criminal record.

[smoke63b]

That's going to be rough. I honestly don't think you stand a chance at any point in the next 8 years. They will consider the fact that you did all these things during or after your college years, which is planning for your future. Not very good to be doing that stuff while planning for your career. That Vandalism conviction in 2004 is pretty bad. Would YOU hire a cop that had just been convicted of something like vandalism only a year or two before?

[MisterK]

What are the details of the vandalism?

[fullmetalciti]

I keyed two vehicles when I was drunk.

[BigJeepZJ]

Oh THAT'S gonna look great. Outstanding work, my man! :D

[mxwelch]

Time is your friend. Were you 21 when you vandalized the cars?

[DonutEater]

Wait 5 years, stay good, and apply. I know the CDOC only looks back 7 years (so you can be a total loser and if you are good for the last 7 years, you are in! - lol). Some of the more competitive departments, such as the CHP, Oakland, San Jose, and others usually have their pick of the crop. You might want to start with a Sheriff's Office such as SF, Alameda County, or CoCo County. They hire larger numbers of officers at lower pay so it might be easier for you.

Stop with the vandalism. In Singapore, they would be caning you right now!

[fullmetalciti]

Yeah I was 21.

[mxwelch]

Stop with the vandalism.

Stop with the drinking. It seems to be the biggest part of his problem. He should be good in a few years IMO.

[mcsap]

The Misdemeanor is going to hurt you but not necessarily drown you. The other items aren't good when adding them all up but you can work towards a sterling background by working on it NOW.

What have or can you do to improve who and what you are as a person to make you a great candidiate ? There is no limit on things like volunteer service , staying away from trouble , staying away from those who get into trouble etc.

At this point, you are at a definite disadvantage with the arrest and the MJ useage. My dept requires 5 years clean. You can apply and see what happens but your recent arrest and drug use is going to hurt you.

A few years of good , clean living without any more involvement of the PD along with some other background "polishing" will make you a much BETTER applicant.