What kind of things come up in the background check?

[Jeter4MVP2006]

I am in college and taking classes in criminal justice, and plan on getting a job as a police officer after I graduate in two years.

I am generally a good guy, have never been charged with a crime or anything like that. I am also doing very well in college, come from a good family, and I think that I would make a great officer.


When I was in high school I had a fake ID and tried to buy some beer from a store. The person at the store called the police and they picked me up. I was co-operative and everything like that. I pretty much just talked with an officer until my parents came and picked me up. I never got charged with a crime or anything like that.

Also, about a year ago I got a ticket in New York City for public alcohol container. I am underage but the officer seemed to like me and just wrote me a $25 ticket for having an alcohol container in open and I just sent in a check through the mail and that was it. The same thing also happened in Point Pleasant New Jersey. Where I got a $400 ticket for the same thing. I really they cut me any kind of break, but I just paid it through the mail and didn't have to appear in court or anything.

Would that kind of stuff come up in a background check? and would that effect it much? Would the police even keep a record of something like that?

[Valor55]

The only reason you are worried about whether this will appear in a record check is because you don't plan on disclosing it when you apply.

1) With the recent alcohol problems it sounds like you have a problem with maturity as well as alcohol.

2) A background investigation will discover this stuff. If you failed to disclose it you will be disqualified from LE forever as a deceptive candidate.

For you to have any chance at all in LE you need to stop drinking so you can avoid getting in trouble. You are on a path that is incompatible with LE.

You will also need at least 3-5 years of no trouble at all to even be considered in an application process.

[Jeter4MVP2006]

The only reason you are worried about whether this will appear in a record check is because you don't plan on disclosing it when you apply.

1) With the recent alcohol problems it sounds like you have a problem with maturity as well as alcohol.

2) A background investigation will discover this stuff. If you failed to disclose it you will be disqualified from LE forever as a deceptive candidate.

For you to have any chance at all in LE you need to stop drinking so you can avoid getting in trouble. You are on a path that is incompatible with LE.

You will also need at least 3-5 years of no trouble at all to even be considered in an application process.

Well I don't have a problem with alcohol at all.... Or maturity. I don't know how you can tell this from me from a post where I said every bit of trouble I have ever gotten in my life...

I didn't know that you even had to disclose anything. I am a sophomore in college and just starting to take classes in CJ. It will be over 4 years by the time I graduate from college (all of this happened in high school.)

These were just tickets that I got. I never appeared in court or anything regarding them. I didn't think that they were a big deal, especially considering that they are just alcohol related. The police officers certainly didn't think so. They just kind of said to pay the ticket and thats it.

Are you obligated to disclose this kind of stuff? Or are you just saying because you personally dont like me?

[irish7mick7]

They know everything

[Radical Jack]

Are you obligated to disclose this kind of stuff?

Only if you want any chance of pursuing this career.

[Kimble]

These were just tickets that I got. I never appeared in court or anything regarding them. I didn't think that they were a big deal, especially considering that they are just alcohol related.

Big deal in what context? Big deal in that they will ruin your chances of ever getting a decent job, finding a wife, buying a nice house in the country with a white picket fence, or other ambitions you hope to meet? No, these three alcohol-related incidents will likely not affect any of this in any way, so in the grand scheme, I suppose they could be seen as "no big deal."

On the other hand, when looking at your possibility of working in law enforcement, where you're in a position of public trust, alcohol problems can and do keep people from getting hired. A problem with alcohol can magnify over time, and positions of public trust are generally not granted to those who have such problems. If you had problems in the distant past (5 - 10 years ago) that may change, but if you were to graduate in 2 years and have these three alcohol-related tickets on your record, they could indeed keep you from getting hired immediately after graduation. Why, you ask? True, they are tickets - and not arrests or jail time - but it's the big picture you're either missing or not admitting to. These tickets show a pattern of behavior related to alcohol, and not any any sort of positive light.

Stop getting in trouble with alcohol, do something productive for your school or community, and give yourself some time in a full-time job after you graduate. Do this and your chances of getting into the LE profession will be much better, as a pattern of alcohol violations will not help you over other candidates who don't have this problem.

[Jeter4MVP2006]

I got 2 tickets my man. The one I didnt even get anything for it. They just let me go home after they took me to their station and my parents came.


They were just for being in public with an open container of alcohol. I mean I dont know but I dont see it as a big deal....

how would they know to even check these police departments for records of this stuff? I dont really understand. Do they even ask you to disclose them? because isnt this no different then a traffic ticket? there was no repurcussions other then a simple fine that i mailed in.

[Kimble]

I got 2 tickets my man.

Your tone is all wrong, kid.

You asked a question, and we answered. If you don't like the answers you're getting, no one here is going to force you to keep asking more. We answered with the information we have based on our experiences in this profession. If our help isn't wanted or appreciated - and we certainly aren't mandated to provide it to you - we won't give it.

[irish7mick7]

I had to go to my town court and get a letter stating I’ve never gotten in trouble. Along with going to the DVM to get my driving history. Oh and also a civil court check.
Trust me departments dig for information. It can always come back to bit them.

[Kimble]

I had to go to my town court and get a letter stating I’ve never gotten in trouble.

I've never heard of a court writing a letter like this. What court was this?

[irish7mick7]

Oh I almost forgot.

Go Yanks!!

[Valor55]

Well I don't have a problem with alcohol at all.... Or maturity. I don't know how you can tell this from me from a post where I said every bit of trouble I have ever gotten in my life...

I didn't know that you even had to disclose anything. I am a sophomore in college and just starting to take classes in CJ. It will be over 4 years by the time I graduate from college (all of this happened in high school.)

These were just tickets that I got. I never appeared in court or anything regarding them. I didn't think that they were a big deal, especially considering that they are just alcohol related. The police officers certainly didn't think so. They just kind of said to pay the ticket and thats it.

Are you obligated to disclose this kind of stuff? Or are you just saying because you personally dont like me?

You keep getting in trouble for alcohol related offenses and you aren't even legal to drink yet. There's a pattern of negative behavior associated with alcohol. That's indicative of maturity issues and alcohol problems.

Yes you are obligated to disclose this stuff.

I don't know you how do I personally dislike you? You asked a question and I answered it.

[Jeter4MVP2006]

Is that even getting in trouble though? I dont really understand I guess.... I consider getting in trouble doing drugs or stealing or something....

whatever though. I just am gonna continue to pursue criminal justice and I am positive I will find a job regardless of whether you guys think I can

[irish7mick7]

It's a town court. It's also where the police station is. It was more or less at "Good guy letter" from the police and court.

[Kimble]

Is that even getting in trouble though? I dont really understand I guess.... I consider getting in trouble doing drugs or stealing or something....

Breaking the law is breaking the law. Law enforcement isn't afforded the right to break the law, and candidates for positions in LE are expected to do the same

whatever though. I just am gonna continue to pursue criminal justice and I am positive I will find a job regardless of whether you guys think I can

With a winning attitude like that, you'll go far. I'm sure you'll be Chief some day! Hell, I bet the first department you apply to signs you up as Chief on the spot! You've worked zero days in the LE field and already know more than anyone here who has worked in the field in any capacity. I'm sure you'll go very far, and will come back here to rub it in our faces! :rolleyes: