Background Question

[Thunder1]

My son was recently DQ'd in the background for a Cadet position he applied for. He had been a Explorer for this Dept. for 2 1/2 years. He passed the oral and the poly. He really is a good kid. He has always wanted to be a leo. The only things I saw his bg were he stloe gum (less than 5 times), he had sex with his 17 year old gf (he's 18), he held marijuana once, and he bumped a car in a parking lot, and left no note {no real damage). He has never used any drug, doesn't drink, and is a graduate of the Explorer Academy. He is currently enrollrd in college pursuing a criminal justice degree. His BI says the reasons are confidential. Should he apply elsewhwere, or just wait a while. He really was devastated.

[Kimble]

My son was recently DQ'd in the background for a Cadet position he applied for. He had been a Explorer for this Dept. for 2 1/2 years. He passed the oral and the poly. He really is a good kid. He has always wanted to be a leo. The only things I saw his bg were he stloe gum (less than 5 times), he had sex with his 17 year old gf (he's 18), he held marijuana once, and he bumped a car in a parking lot, and left no note {no real damage). He has never used any drug, doesn't drink, and is a graduate of the Explorer Academy. He is currently enrollrd in college pursuing a criminal justice degree. His BI says the reasons are confidential. Should he apply elsewhwere, or just wait a while. He really was devastated.

If you are whom you claim to be, which I doubt based on your writing style, there is know way you know every move your son has made. Sure, you may have watched him like a hawk at home, but I doubt you (if you actually are who you say you are) were with him when he went out with friends. I'm sure his story is that he only "held" a marijuana joint :rolleyes:, but the fact he's socializing with those who are experimenting with it tends to imply he's probably trying it himself.

And for the record, being an explorer may develop rapport with a department, but is by no means a shoe-in for an officer position down the road. I've met PLENTY of explorers who were... to put it politely, not cut out for the job. Being an explorer is by no means a guarantee for future employment

[Thunder1]

:eek: Wow, I was not aware I was going to be interrogated. I was just looking for answers (help). I'm not sure what you are referencing in my writing style, but I am a teacher who holds a Masters Degree in Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction. As for any grammatical errors, it was late, and I was trying to be as succinct as possible. As for my use of terminology, I got it from the many posts I researched. I realize I am not always with my son. However, I saw his bg and poly packets, and he passed the poly. He does not associate with those
who use drugs. He passed a bag back to another student a couple of years ago without first realizing what it was. Lastly, why on earth would someone want to misrepresent themselves. Judging from the many posts I have read trust is a real issue. I am glad I chose the other civil service field that is underappreciated. However, my son wants to be a leo. If you are really who you say you are, perhaps you can answer my questions if I passed your bg.

[Roger Dat]

You will never know what your son may or may not have done without being in your presence. To assume you do implies ignorance.

If he indeed was DQ'ed as you say he either lied or has something in his background that he has not admitted to you. If he was not selected that is one thing but a DQ implies that he lied or has something in his background that eliminates him from the hiring process.

[Thunder1]

I am fully aware that I don't know everything my son has ever done. However, as I stated I saw his bg and poly packets. It was confirmed he passed his poly. The only possible flags I saw are the one's I listed. I still have not received a response to these. I thought this was a help forum, I guess maybe I was wrong.

[Kimble]

Lastly, why on earth would someone want to misrepresent themselves.

Why don't you tell us?

[Thunder1]

Perhaps you haven't read my posts. I'm not even sure why you reply. This is supposed to be ahelp forum. At least i thought it was.

[squadcar]

Perhaps you haven't read my posts. I'm not even sure why you reply. This is supposed to be ahelp forum. At least i thought it was.

They're helping you, at least I thought they were.

First of all, your son was disqualified for a reason. To make it short, that reason was either one of the ones YOU listed, or one of the ones "he" did not tell you about. That's a BIG possibility. Do not come to a forum, give us a list of things your son told you he has done, and then expect an answer on why he was disqualified, and then when you get an answer refuse that it's a possibility. We don't know what he did but clearly it was something that the department didn't like.

Those are the two choices, pick which one suits you best.

[Thunder1]

My son did not tell me anything. I read his questionairres. All I wanted was an answer to the things i referenced. Quite frankly, I'm shocked at the lack of civility and the negativity shown to me. I guess I'll get my answers elewhere.

[Kimble]

Quite frankly, I'm shocked at the lack of civility and the negativity shown me.

I'm not trying to me negative, Mark, but I don't buy your story. There's a reason behind my theory, and if you'd like to talk further about it, you may send me a private message.

I don't see where anyone else here was in the slightest bit negative towards you, either.

[seeking]

Maybe he was DQ'd for one of the things you mentioned. Even stealing gum once, let alone up to four times is stealing and his age at the time of incident would make a difference. Stealing at five is different than stealing at 15...Or, like others said, maybe there was something he told them that isn't necesarily written down in the packet nd raised a flag to them.

Or maybe you're interpretting 'not selected' as 'disqualified.' As others also pointed out, there is a difference. DQ happens only for lying about something in your background or having something in your background that is disqualifiable. If he was DQ'd for background, he can try another department that doesn't consider whatever did a DQable offense. If he was DQ'd because he lied, then he's going to have a tough time because LEO's are expected to be honest, and he's already lied once in the process (and anywhere he applies later will find out why he was DQ'd from where he applied before).

Now, if he just wasn't selected, then it could be for any number of reasons. Any of the things you mentioned look bad enough if someone else has never done those things.And then there's sheer amount of experience. While it's admirable that your son was an Explorer and is pursuing a degree in a field he's passionate about, he's only 18 and only been an explorer and started a degree. There are others he's in competition with who are older, have four year degrees, even masters, and/or military experience. If you've only got a few open slots who are you going to take? So, if he was only not selected, I'd say he's on the right path, just keep himself clean (and away from friends who do drugs), his grades up, etc. and apply elsewhere once he's got a bit more experience under his belt.

[Thunder1]

First, let me thank you for taking the time to respond. Your response is the first that actually addressed my question. He was DQ'd. The thing is his best friend was recently hired, and he committed some of the same offenses. The dept. policy is not to discuss the reasons so that's why I turned to this forum. He was told only that he "Didn't meet the minimum standards." It wasn't the competition either, he was literally told the job was his. The person he was to work for son is on my travelball team. My gut feeling was it was stealing. He did that just over a year ago. Another thought was him bumping the car. Does that constitute hit and run? That is what he put. Thanks for the input it was really appreciated. I think he is going to apply elsewhere and see how it goes.

[Hockey9019]

Here I'll keep it short




If he got DQ'd from one department. Keep applying. Could have been for various reasons. Most LEO's don't nail the "first" department they apply to. Sometimes (Depending on the state and so on) it may take over 10-20

[Thunder1]

Thanks for the response. All I was looking for was honest answers. He is going to apply elsewhere.

[Roger Dat]

Passing the poly doesnt necssarily mean he qualifies either. If I smoked pot within the last year and I answered honestly to the question I would have passed the poly too. would I be hired? NO, but I would have passed the poly.