What the?!?

[DFlood]

Hey, all!! Been some time since I've hit the boards, but I've been busy in the background.

Problem is, I'm not even getting a nibble. Of the various agencies that I've applied with, not a one of them has even gotten so far as checking out my references. I'm not sure what's out there lurking in my history that's turning folks off, but it's starting to get a little dispiriting.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how I should proceed...I'm wondering if it's that people are suspicious of my motivations (I'd be leaving a 50K Telecom job to join the PD), or if there's something bad in my credit history (nothing that I've seen in any credit report, but I don't know if there's anything beyond this that gets checked), or if I'm just too lousy a risk as a candidate (I'm 31, been working desk jobs for about five or six years, now)? I seem to pass the physical and B-PADs alright. Even got through the Board Interview for one department. Then, for some reason, got the letter--you know the one--"Don't call us..."

Adding to this is that NONE of the agencies I've applied with have even given me the meerest hint of why they've turned me down (except for one, who turned me down right at the outset over a matter that they have an absolute policy about). I've tried to be absolutely forthcoming with any information they might want, even volunteering things in my past that might possibly be misconstrued as wrongdoings (thusfar, no one has seemed to feel that a college frat prank would jeopardize my application, though).

Like I said...having to fill out fifteen- to thirty-page applications is getting to be a drag, as I don't seem to be getting anywhere. So, do I keep grasping in the dark? Do I need to be more demanding about reasons I'm being turned down? Or do I [*GASP* Not an option] give up?!?

Need a little guidance...thanks in advance for anything you guys and gals can give me.

:D

[NorthCAL22]

Dflood
I was curious as to what agencies you were applying to that made you take the BPAD. It is not a very common test. Are you actually making it to the background process or are getting rejected because of other things like the oral board?

[DFlood]

Well, so far I've only had to take the B-PAD once, for Lewisville. I'm getting to the background investigation, having in various cases passed the physical, board exams, B-PAD, and Polygraph.

I can't tell exactly where in my BI I keep hitting the snag. I've gone back and verified all of my residences as best I can. Same with my employment history, although there are a number of my employers who either no longer exist, or have dissolved/reincorporated. Where possible, I've left contacts who could verify my employment, though. Like I said, though, I have to wonder if my personal motives are suspect, that maybe the departments are thinking, "Unh-uh...this guyy will get trained up, and then bolt for more money?" I can't imagine, though. If I was looking to do this for the money, first I'd lay down until my head cleared. Then I'd keep my present gig.

To my knowledge, none of the individuals whom I've listed as references has ever been contacted by ANY of the departments that I've applied with...so I'm guessing that we're not getting that far. I'm just a bit mystified. I thought my background was clean as the proverbial whistle, apart from a few, specific incidents that I'm always very up-front about when I apply. My credit history is good, I've never been fired...I simply can't think what is so horrible that it keeps knocking me out?!?

:(

[replay]

(except for one, who turned me down right at the outset over a matter that they have an absolute policy about).

Any clue what this policy was about?

[DFlood]

Replay--

The matter in question was my exposure to LSD. When I was 12, I got dosed at a party I was attending by another party-goer. I was unaware of anything amiss until the world started doing backflips around me. Nevertheless, I was an unwilling participant in the experience.

Most departments I've applied with, after my explanation, have agreed that I was not at fault, and that it would not impede my application. One, however, had an absolute policy regarding contact with anything "harder" than marijuana, and I am thus disquailified from application with that department until such time as their policies change. I don't like it, especially since they were the department that I most wanted to hook up with, but I will respect their policies (even if I HAD any other choice).

[Nminx]

Ive heard that certain drugs are automatic disqualifiers because your body still has the potential for "flashbacks."

Guy I know got DQ'ed because of acid.

Dumb question - but are these departments that are actively seeking candidates? Here in California alot of departments are on hiring holds.