Another background question

[POST2008]

Hello, first post here, and wondering about a few things as far as backgrounds.
1. I have not filled one out yet, but I’ve seen them before and am fully aware of what they contain to a point… One thing I want to know is what I have to disclose as far as something that happened when I was a young child, manly that fact I was touched when I was about 5 by an extended family member and then I touched my cousin (only once) about a month later. No need to elaborate on the touching, but it was sexual. This did not come up besides being a family issue until my cousin some 5-6 years later or 4-5 years ago from now, said something to a camp counselor and the camp counselor got the impression that this was stilling happening. So she (the counselor) reported it to the local police and they contacted my parents. Basically I ended up going and explaining the situation to a investigator and it was found that my cousin was looking for attention and that’s why she made it sound like it was still going on. The investigator found out that nothing was still going on, and said due to the age no charges would be filed. My question is because I was 14 when it was finally reported. How much do I have to disclose on the background or how do I disclose it without telling them the whole story, or would I have to? This is by far the worst thing that has ever happened in my life and I’m totally clueless on what to do, much less have to relive all that ultra personal stuff with a BI as if it were some minor incident that happened.:(

2. And on a lighter note, it’s more of a question of others than me. I’m currently in college and most if not everyone else here drinks, how do BI’s see this when they are backgrounding people? I have a lot of buddies that drink underage and they say that as long as they don’t lie about it, it won’t be a big deal on their background.:rolleyes: Now I don’t drink, now even a drop, but is this true, that me trying to do the right thing and not break the law every weekend is not getting me anywhere over everyone else who does when it comes down to a background investigation?

Thanks for the info in advance!!

[Sierra]

Hello, first post here, and wondering about a few things as far as backgrounds.

... manly that fact I was touched when I was about 5 by an extended family member and then I touched my cousin (only once) about a month later. This did not come up besides being a family issue until my cousin ... said something to a camp counselor and the camp counselor got the impression that this was stilling happening. So she (the counselor) reported it to the local police and they contacted my parents. The investigator found out that nothing was still going on, and said due to the age no charges would be filed. How much do I have to disclose on the background or how do I disclose it without telling them the whole story, or would I have to?

It was brought to the attention of the police and an investigator looked into a possible crime. Plan on having to disclose it to any agency you apply to, regardless of charges not being brought. The extent of disclosure will be up to the department.

2. I’m currently in college and most if not everyone else here drinks, how do BI’s see this when they are backgrounding people? I have a lot of buddies that drink underage and they say that as long as they don’t lie about it, it won’t be a big deal on their background.:rolleyes: Now I don’t drink, now even a drop, but is this true, that me trying to do the right thing and not break the law every weekend is not getting me anywhere over everyone else who does when it comes down to a background investigation?

I am not a BI, nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night, so I can't say how a BI would respond to an applicant drinking alcohol underage. However, in the interest of common sense, doesn't it make sense that someone who is pursuing a career in LE would keep their nose clean, regardless of whether it gets "me anywhere over everyone else ...?" Who comes across as a better candidate?

Hope that helps.

[mcsap]

MOST of your college pals are looking to get into LE so it isnt nearly as big an issue.

Be careful if you choose to even hang with them, they will without a doubt have some drugs on them and YOU could get yourself involved in a situation that could be very costly in the terms of your future.

Start thinking and acting like someone who WANTS to be a cop now. Dont wait until you start applying.

[seeking]

I'll tell you what the cop who just came to toss out the underrage kids drinking in my hotel told the ones who were't causing the problems but were there nonetheless; you might want to find yourself some better friends; you're at an age where the company you keep matters now. Of course, not a direct quote, but that was the gist of it. They hardly even knew these kids but decided to participate in a party where half the people were not of age to be drinking and a couple almost got taken to jail. Now, you said that you aren't drinking, but I'm going with mscap's direction of advising you in case you choose to even be there.

Don't just think in terms of what's going to get you ahead and what's going to make a difference just because 'everyone else is doing it'. Be the best person and applicant you can be. Even stupid mistakes can make you look one notch less than someone else. Maybe everyone else has drank and drank underage and they'll be honest about it, and maybe there's one person who didn't. Many people have tried marijuana at least once, but you know what, there are those few people who never have, and they're one notch above everyone else who did.