Failed NYPD Oral Psych.

[Tmb9862]

I know with my situation I can't appeal and get the decision reversed but does anyone have any advice on what I can do to clear this up? Perhaps get a clean bill of health from a psychologist? Do I need five years since the last incident? Ten? Or is it pointless to even try?

I went through everything for the NYPD and passed everything except the oral pych. I am currently 21 years old.



The reasons for my failure (I believe):
I was diagnosed with ADHD and was medicated for it (riddelen) up until I was about 12. Prior to this (me being under twelve years old) I was doing poorly in school, had difficulty socializing with the other children, and "acted out". I was classified as "emotionally disturbed" because at that time ADHD wasn't recognized as a learning disability and everyone diagnosed with ADHD was classified as "emotionally disturbed". I had the school district write a letter explaining this along with the records they released.

When I was in high school I had trouble with Spanish class and was exempted based on a learning disability. I also had the option for extended test time and resource room (I never used it, didn't even know it was available to me). At this time I had no socialization or "acting out" problems. My increase in grades and ability to better socialize coincided with me being taken off the medication.

Additionally I was sent to see a psychologist when I was about ten because my father insisted on it. I saw him for about three months. The office I went to is unable to produce any record of this.

My first year of college went poorly. I was stupid and a combination of lousy roommates, a residential director who didn't care, and more then anything a lack of effort on my part landed me a 1.75 GPA and an academic dismissal.

And the big one.
During my first year of college my now ex-girlfriend got pissed off at me because I was on the phone with my father when she was there. Basically I should be paying attention to no one but her. We got into an argument, she started literally tearing the room apart, I picked her up (with her hitting me), put her in the hall, and shut the door. After about a minute of pounding on the door and screaming she went away. Later on she asked me to go over to her dorm, I did so intending to officially break up with her. About twenty minutes later the police show up and take me to the emergency room for a psychological evaluation. She told her residential adviser I had threatened suicide and it got run up the ladder until the police were called. I had during the argument said something along the lines of "you could drive someone to suicide". I think she was somewhat if not completely unstable and either did it to be vindictive or took a comment way to seriously. They kept me there about an hour, decided I wasn't suicidal and released me. For the record I do not nor have I ever at any point in time wanted to or even contemplated suicide or intentionally injuring myself in any way. This is just over three years ago now.

The next two years I spent at a community college and got my associates degree with a 2.80 GPA. While at college I received no accommodation's for ADHD which I do not believe I really even have anymore.

[Roger Dat]

Well that seems to be quite a bunch of hurdles there, the report of the suicide is going to negatively impact you seriously especially if its documented in a report. The other major problem with NYPD is your inability to produce the records for the psych you saw. I am pretty sure its necessary for them for your processing. I wouldnt say your doomed but its probably going to be a serious uphill battle for you.

[Tmb9862]

Well that seems to be quite a bunch of hurdles there, the report of the suicide is going to negatively impact you seriously especially if its documented in a report. The other major problem with NYPD is your inability to produce the records for the psych you saw. I am pretty sure its necessary for them for your processing. I wouldnt say your doomed but its probably going to be a serious uphill battle for you.

The suicide incident isn't in a police report or anything to the best of my knowledge, I imagine my investigator would have brought it up if it was. They only know about it since I told them, if they looked through my health insurance record they would have found out also.
I would think the ADHD and ED label would be the biggest thing to overcome. With the suicide, the hospital believed my story and let me go after speaking with the doctor (about an hour) with no recommendation for counseling or anything. My argument (which I know better than to make to the psychologist) is if I wanted to kill myself isn't three years plenty of time in which to do it?
As far as the records go it's beyond my control unfortunately. I did get them a letter from the hospital stating that they did look for and can't find the records so at least they know I'm not just denying the availability of them to hide something.

[phantasm]

the suicide = medical report, not police report, unless the police also did paperwork (which we usually do for cases like that).

The lack of paperwork = auto DQ.

[Joeyd6]

I have always told people like it is with the NYPD based on my experience working for them. So please don't take it personal. I ma just giving you my honest opinion.

1) The childhood ADHD thing is MINOR. Especially if you were not actively treated since 12 with meds.

2) Being labled as a EDP is HUGE hurdle at a young age (even with ADHD not being diagnostically available). You obviously had some issues at that time. There are different signs and symptoms distinct for each type of diagnosis. Though you may think it was ADHD, the signs and symptoms documented may show in fact that it was EDP, and not ADHD.

3) Why or how the high school thing came up boggles me. No questions in the process ask about such. In reality, this is not a issue, you may have talked it into being one.

4) The poor grades at college are explainable and understandable, until you EXPLAIN it. You stated "My first year of college went poorly. I was stupid and a combination of lousy roommates, a residential director who didn't care, and more then anything a lack of effort on my part landed me a 1.75 GPA and an academic dismissal." A mature, and responsible adult would answer "Yes, I was stupid. I took for granted the new found freedom and setting and did many stupid things. Looking back now I regret such and realize the immaturity and lack of long term outsight I had." But rather than take 100% liability, you still blame a small percent on "lousy roomates" and a "residential director." That is a HUGE problem. It shows a lack a foresight, a lack of responsibility and a lack of acceptance.

5) The icing on the cakes is the GF situation. The claim of SUICIDE is VERY, VERY, VERY SERIOUS! Despite any circumstances, the claim was made. When you went to the hospital, the "doctor" you spoke with is actually a psychologist. It is a legal and medical liability if you come in for a suicide threat and they do not have you seen by one. That report is CRITICAL. Furthermore:
a) Sounds like this was recent.
b) Police departments do not give GUNS to any person who has threatened suicide at any time. Cops eating their guns is unfortunatley a relaity of this job, and most deaprtments do not want to give you an free ticket to that performance.
c) I am sure the psychologict with the NYPD asked what happened after you got out of the hospital. I am sure you were questioned about your contacts and relationship with the girl after such. And I am sure you stated you had some conversations or a relationship after that call which eventually fizzled. The problem is that unless you immediately severed all ties with her that day, there is some notion that her concers and call to 911 had some validity, even in your own mind.

Add up all these thinsg and you are deemed a HIGH RISK canidate. A DQ was the only option. Even with the psych records from all parties, you would still be DQ'd. And beinghonest, if the NYPD raises the "DQ" sign, I would venture to say with your history most others will also.

You need to do a couple of things:
a) Ask your self if you really are OK? Do you think you were/are an EDP or were/are ever considering suicide? If yes, see a therapist now and work through the issues. If not, go to B.

b) The ADHD issue needs to be worked out now. Either you have it or don't. A learning dissability does not mean DQ, but it has to be documentated. You do not need to go to a specialist and see if you have ADHD, a learning disability or are fine. If they find something, it is documentated, documentated and you can work with what you have. If not, even more power to you because now you have paper proving you are "fine."

c) You going to need to do at least 5 years solid of clean living. That means no police reports, no tickets, one or two jobs, and show steady relations with females. I would wok on getting the bachelors, holding down a job and getting good grades. Get a good group of friends and stay out of trouble. Then re-apply with the results of (b) in hand.

Good luck! And I hope my honesty and experience do not offend you. I am only being honest and trying to share my knowledge.

[Tmb9862]

The lack of paperwork = auto DQ.

So basically I have no chance ever because they lost the records?
Well that sucks.

[Joeyd6]

So basically I have no chance ever because they lost the records?
Well that sucks.

NO, you have no chance for many more reasons than that. Read my post above!

[Roger Dat]

As usual Joey hit the ball out of thr park.

[Tmb9862]

You posted while I was typing my response, sorry.


I appreciate you taking the time to write all of that out and want to thank you. You can’t insult me with advice and opinions, that’s what I’m here for and I want to here the truth whether or not I like it. I’m not trying to argue in my response. I know it would be fruitless to do so, rather I’m adding information that I may have omitted before.


2. ED was used because of the things I mentioned. I saw a neurologist/psychologist who diagnosed me with ADHD when I was about six. She has nothing in any of her records (which I have and gave the NYPD) about me being emotionally disturbed. The only place ED appears is on the paper stating why I need special services (resource room) in school. They also stopped using that label and began using the ADHD one when I was nine (the same time ADHD became a valid reason for special services).

3. When I told her why I got bad grades I didn’t mention the roommates or RA so they didn’t take that into consideration. I told her that I had never studied in high school, I went to college with that attitude and it didn’t work. I then went to a community college and because doing my work and saw an improvement in my grades. I’m not blaming anyone else for that situation; I could have handled it better, but they certainly didn’t help.

5.
a. It was just over three years ago, not that recent but it’s not history either.
b. She did ask me what happened. I basically never spoke to the girl again beyond the occasional “leave me alone” or “go away”. She continued calling for about a year though leaving messages apologizing, asking to get back together, saying she hopes I’m not cheating on her, etc. At this point I have no idea where she lives, works, goes to school, etc nor do I have any desire to know. She is not the one who called 911. As best as I can figure, she told her residential director who then called 911. Heck, she may have told the women some wild story going to sympathy and never even intended it to go that far (she was a liar/storyteller and big on sympathy), I really don’t know.


I am fine, I do not think I am or ever was emotionally disturbed. I will admit to having had ADHD though and the problems I mentioned that were associated with it. If I do still have it, I have learned to cope with it in a way that it no longer infringes on my life. As I said I have never had any desire nor will I have any desire to kill myself.

As far as five years that’s not so easy. I have in the last three since that incident been involved in a car accident (no injuries 50/50 fault), and a couple weeks ago I was pulled over and ticketed for an expired registration and failure to produce proof of insurance. I plead innocent to the insurance and it was thrown out and guilty to the expired registration. As far as jobs go now that I know the police force isn’t a viable option for the present I am getting a full time job with either a construction company or a plumber I know. I've had the same girlfriend for about a year and a half now and our relationship is going well, much better than my previous one with pyscho women. And I do plan on completing my bachelors degree.


Thank you and everyone here again.


edit: She also asked for record from my general practitioner when I was less than twelve. My docter from then passed away years ago and the records are gone. That isn't going to help me either.


So if I get a decent job like I'm planning and apply again in two or three years I have a shot (although a poor one) of being hired?

[Newstart]

From how and what you have written you seem like a decent and smart individual. As far as applying again, reread what joey wrote above.

If you start seeing a decent wage coming in with construction or pluming you may not think that the NYPD is a viable option. Unless your the type that is not in it for the money which is fine.

Best of luck to you.