Background questions (some uncommon to what I've seen here)

[tdg]

I've searched, but couldn't find someone with a similar story.

I'm 22, about to graduate with a BA. I was pretty sheltered until highschool, never did anything remotely questionable until I was 17. Some snags until I was 20.

I am honest and am disclosing everything on my packets etc., so do not think I'm questioning the importance of that. After reading about some people's worries, I've developed a small case of paranoia regarding the process (backgrounds are the next phase for me.)

Most of my deeds were pretty minor and won't list those (I know this after reading some of the posts here) but these are the ones that bug me:

* Used marijuana four times. Twice in 2003. Twice in March 2005. Stupid choice. Very regrettable. Always small amounts, but the thing that gets me is that in that timeframe I had a very small amount, intended to use it, but then decided against it and just gave it away to some people I barely knew at a small party.

* Underage drinking. The later half of 2005 and maybe twice in the beginning of 2006 I drank with friends, no more than a dozen times, probably less. Never drove after, just being a dumb kid drinking with friends. The one time that bothers me is earlier in the year before most of this drinking happened, I visited a friend out of state. Long story short, he was caught drunk (I was not drinking) and they found that I was not checked in as a guest, so they trespassed me and I had to leave. That whole trip was stupid, it was also the same time I used marijuana for the last time. (March 2005)

* Now, if that wasn't enough, sometime around then a friend and I poured some sugar water into the gas tank of a car - this car belonged to the older brother of two friends of ours. The reason we did this is because this guy was scum: sexually abused one of his brothers, mentally abused both, continued to harass them and be a jerk, and even to my friends and I sometimes when we were around - he did drugs, sold them, drove drunk all the time, you get the picture. We wanted to disable his car so he couldn't drive-that was the idea. Stupid, I know.

* Around that same time we also randomly drew on the car windows of some unknown Honda Civic that was all modified, with some of those washable window markers. That was also foolish.

* The marijuana and stupid pranks were all at least 3 years ago. The drinking was 2.5 years ago.

I decided I wanted to become a police officer almost a year and a half ago.

The one other thing is that when I turned 21 there were a few times I would buy a bottle of wine for a romantic dinner with my girlfriend (who is a year younger.) Simple as that, I never would dream of buying alcohol for minors. However, I still must mention that.

* My driving should be fine. Two speeding tickets, both freeway. The last was recent, Jan '07: Driving back to school (long commute) at night, freeway, no cars around. For that reason he gave me a 65/60 instead of the 70ish I was going. That night about coincided with my decision to become a police officer. I have gone the speed limit since.


The bad stuff is 3 years behind me. Some minor things since. What do you think? No auto DQ here, but I'm naturally stressing the BI.

[AmarulaCream]

Didn't the Myth Busters disprove the whole sugar in the gas tank thing?

You are still young, nothing you did is an auto DQ... relax.

I would not try and reason your way out of committing vandalism. Just take accountability for you actions; it does not matter if the owner of the car was a serial killer, your actions did not help bring him to justice did they? You are not allowed to harass/assault registered sex offenders either, so I would leave the excuses at home.

Just my 2 cents...

[CelicaGuy]

Just man up, take accountability and you should be fine. If at first you don't get it....try and try some more!!!!

[phantasm]

washable marker would not be vandalism here in NY. Its not damaged, washes right out. Depends on the state for that though.

[cablexman]

Luckily you are in NY...I've been applying in CA, and my last speeding ticket was june 06...and i've been dinged out of the process because of that. Never done drugs, never been arrested, excellent credit, I got a BS degree. Maybe i should go to NY, if it seems like everybody is giving you a vote of confidence. Good Luck!

[tdg]

Thanks for the replies everybody.

I can see how me explaining the actions would seem as though I'm trying to justify it. You folks are absolutely right about taking accountability and manning up. When I meet with BI's I will certainly do that and not make excuses. I take responsibility for my poor choices (not mistakes!) I guess my regret makes me want to explain why I did some of these things, for example the gas-tank incident I thought I should mention why I did it because I would never have done that at random to a stranger. Some of the packets said to fully explain the circumstances of your actions.. but I understand what you folks are getting at and I fully agree.

Anyway, this is encouraging and I thank you for your replies.

Cablexman: I'm actually in WA. That seems strange to me you've been forced out because of a speeding ticket, may I ask how bad of one it was? Although I've heard many stories about agencies in CA being more particular in their process. Good luck to you too!