Struggling LAPD Candidate

[jayisgerman]

Good Evening to all,

I was hoping I could solicit some advice from you, as to my chances with the LAPD. I have been in the process for about 1 year now and I have taken every hurdle so far....until now.

Passed the written test, got 100% on my oral board (w/o military credit), passed the PAT, passed initial BG, passed the poly in about 90 minutes, passed medical (after some initial deferrments, but I cleared up everything), passed my BG (with my assigned investigator) 48 hours after I first met the man.

I have a college degree, I am tri-lingual, I have a credit score in the 800's and I have never even had a parking ticket. I have applied myself to show I am serious in this endavour. I have gone on ride along and attended CAPS.

Now, after months and months of waiting and repeated phone calls, I get a DQ letter from psych (my last step was the oral psych) saying that I "do not meet the psychological requirements of this position." However, pointing out that "this does not mean you have a psychological illness, deficiency or emotional instability." What on earth does this mean? Of course there is nothing in this letter telling me exactly which psych characteristic I did not meet and it says not to call, they won't discuss it.

I can appeal it with an evaluation paid for personally with a psychiatrist of my choice. They will then evaluate my appeal. Now... I am being honest here, I have never stalked, slapped, cut, hit or ran over anybody. I have never boiled any rabbits in somebody elses kitchen or thought or tried to kill myself. So..... What do I do??? I don't know why I was declined, but I work for a living and paying for this private evaluation will be costly.

Does anybody have experience with the success rate of appealing psych DQ? Should I do it? Also, will this adversely affect my chances with other agencies?

Thank you all for letting me rant. I look forward to your replies. J :confused:

[mxwelch]

It means that you don't fit the psychological profile they're looking for that's all. Apply somewhere else, you sound like a good candidate. I know of an officer who had the same thing happen, he applied somewhere else and got hired. If you're heart is set on LAPD get hired somewhere else, pull your time and then reapply.

[BlackRedline04]

Wow, thats like the 3rd person on here to get that exact same letter. I'm scared to take the psych :eek:

[090205]

Straight from LA's website:

IF I AM DISQUALIFIED WILL I BE TOLD THE REASONS FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION?

Yes. You will be sent a letter that outlines the general reasons why you were not considered suitable for the position that you were applying for.

Source: http://www.lacity.org/per/psb/OHSD/psych.htm

[Ruh]

Straight from LA's website:

IF I AM DISQUALIFIED WILL I BE TOLD THE REASONS FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION?

Yes. You will be sent a letter that outlines the general reasons why you were not considered suitable for the position that you were applying for.

Source: http://www.lacity.org/per/psb/OHSD/psych.htm

:confused:

That doesn't really help the situation. He (or she, not sure) knows why they were disqualified from the hiring process, it was because of the psychological evaluation. The question asked was should they appeal it and get the second opinion. Your response doesn't really apply, and to me seems more like a subtle smart alec insult than anything else.

As to the original poster, Mxwelch has some good advice. If you don't match their psychological profile when evaluated by their psychologist, I don't see how going to your own could help much. Your profile won't really change much, I don't think. Then again, I am not a psychologist.

[Idol25]

I can answer that. I got the same letter. The letter is vague and not specific. They will not tell you exactly why they DQ'd you because the response would be about 5 pages long. I appealed it and it cost me too much money. However, I did it because I did not want to give up that easily. I am always up for a challenge. Cost is anywhere from $400 - $1000. That is a lot of money. The appeal is not guaranteed. If the independent psych evaluates you and sends the report back to the Psych. Dept. they can always deny the appeal. I have not been denied. My paperwork has been sitting in Dr. St.Peterson's desk for almost 5 months. I have been peresistant for an answer and she is never available. I also did it for a self-interest. I wanted a second opinion on my evaluation. I needed to know what exactlly was wrong with the interview. I know now that the evaluation was not accurate. The LAPD psychologist made many inccorrect comments about me. For example, the LAPD report said I was fired from my current job. That is not true. I am still working with the same company. Well, not for long because the Sheriff's hired me about 4 days ago. I will be going to the academy March 1st. Oh, I passed my Oral Psych too. Go figure!!

[090205]

:confused:

That doesn't really help the situation. He (or she, not sure) knows why they were disqualified from the hiring process, it was because of the psychological evaluation. The question asked was should they appeal it and get the second opinion. Your response doesn't really apply, and to me seems more like a subtle smart alec insult than anything else.

It's not meant to be a "smart alec insult" at all. Please don't jump to conclusions.

I was pointing out that from that FAQ, it seems as if they will tell you why you failed the psych, not merely that you failed the psych. Therefore, the FAQ seems inaccurate.

[jayisgerman]

Thank you all so much for your insight. I am not sure I'll be able to afford the fee for the private evaluation, but I'll ask around and see... you never know there could be some pro bono shrinks out there! :D
Other than that, I have applied with several other agencies and will keep on trying. My goal is to be a good law enforcement officer, the colour of my uniform will not matter. Again, my thanks. Have a great Sunday.

[Safety]

Thank you all so much for your insight. I am not sure I'll be able to afford the fee for the private evaluation, but I'll ask around and see... you never know there could be some pro bono shrinks out there! :D
Other than that, I have applied with several other agencies and will keep on trying. My goal is to be a good law enforcement officer, the colour of my uniform will not matter. Again, my thanks. Have a great Sunday.

I am not sure if you read my posts. But I will tell you one thing, you sound like me for the right principles. Except, I have always wanted to be LAPD but I was never DQ'ed for psych written or oral (passed both). LAPD for one reason or another appears to DQ more than other agencies over reasons that cant really be substantiated, IN MY OPINION.
I too got the perfect scores and did well in BG's then however, I had a new BI and man was that a different story afterwards. Without going through everything that I already have on this forum.. I know how you feel. But, like what other people have told me just keep plugging away. If you appeal then by all means do it if you want LA that much, or keep applying to others and if you are qualified then they WILL pick you up.

Good luck.