My Background....What do you think?

[nikechick24]

Thankyou in advance for taking the time to read and crituque my background.



Employment:

I have a summer job I have held for 3 years. But other than that, because of being in college I have had several part time jobs. I have never been fired or gotten in trouble. I left all of the jobs on good terms.


Credit:

I dont know my credit score, but In the 4 years or so I have had the card I have had 3-5 late payments. (Not because I didnt have the money, but because I just forgot)


School:

I have my associates degree in Criminal Justice, and in the fall of 2008 I will have my B.A. in Business Economics.


Physical:

I have been involved in sports my whole life. I played soccer in college and have ski raced throughout college in an outside organization. I also am involved in many other sports. Although I would say I am in good shape, I think my weight would be high compared to my height. (Im not sure if this is a problem. I guess it depends on the dept?)


Driving Record:

I have a pending speeding ticket for going 84 in a 65, in which my court date is in July.

I recieved a federal speeding ticket while on a military base last month for going 35 in a 25.

I have recieved 3 or 4 parking violations here at school. (All Paid)

In addition, I got in trouble in September 2006 for Underage drinking on campus. (It was school police, not town/local police so no tickets were given)


Other Negative things:

Since I have been looking into an LEO career for quite sometime now I have had alot of time to think of every possible thing I think I have done is wrong.

I have downloaded music and porn. I never intentionally downloaded any child pornography.

I do drink...but its not a problem.




Other positives

I have done an internship with a local city PD.

I have NEVER done any type of illegal drug. Although, I have been in the presence of drugs. (Mostly during my internship, but occasionally in other situations).




Thank you again.
If anything needs clarification just let me know and I will gladly clarify.




I should also add that I am 21 years old.

[MP_Steve]

You will most likely have to list any contact you've ever had with any law enforcement agency, military or civilian, to include the underage drinking and the federal ticket.

You're going to be up against applicants who have never had any negative contact with the police. Your prior history, however minor, may go against you.

Worse case scenario: You might have to wait a bit to get hired. Other than that, based on the personal history you've just provided, you'd make a fairly competitive applicant.


Edit: Being in the presence of drugs during the timeframe of a police internship isn't going to look good at all. Especially since you know that you want to become a cop. IMO, choosing to be around drugs, however so slightly, is just as bad as doing them outright. In high school I went out of my way to avoid drugs and sacrificed a few friendships as a result. Now it's paid off.

[Wanabe]

Well, I am in no way a LEO, but I have made it pretty far in some processes. Although I do not see any permanent red flags I can almost guarantee your youth is going to be an issue. Being around drugs is always a bad thing. You say the drinking is not an issue and it probably isn't, but they will see it as a BIG issue and even if you manage to not attract any red flags (which I believe is almost automatic with young age) when you tell them the usage of drinking. I am pretty sure that ticket is going to raise it. They are giving you a lot of control and they don't want you to "go out drinking with your 21 year old buddies with a gun on your side." At least those are the exact words said to me, and I have not been intoxicated for over a year. I don't want to scare or deter you away from trying to become a LEO. I just hope your ready to here some harsh and brutally honesty that you may or may not agree with by your BI, and yes it hurts very much.

Oh by the way I'm 22, I'm in the same boat as you I am just staying away from trouble and doing the right thing. Hopefully soon a BI will see that I have matured if not I am still young, I have time.

[nikechick24]

Edit: Being in the presence of drugs during the timeframe of a police internship isn't going to look good at all. Especially since you know that you want to become a cop. IMO, choosing to be around drugs, however so slightly, is just as bad as doing them outright. In high school I went out of my way to avoid drugs and sacrificed a few friendships as a result. Now it's paid off.

Whenever I was in the presence of drugs during my internship I was with the officer I did my internship with. I was never left alone with drugs. Im just curious how being around drugs during my internship was a bad thing? Especially since I was in the "Drug Crimes" Unit.


I want to also add that whenever I realized I was in the presence of drugs (marijuana), I would always leave. (It was generally at parties).

[Wanabe]

Sorry I misunderstood the drug part of your post.

[JCP1976]

Here is an example of what you are up against. I am 31, have a 4 year degree, steady work history, one speeding ticket 13 years ago, and no other incidents with law enforcement. I have never used an illegal drug, have been in the presence of illegal drugs once in my life that I know of. My credit score is very high and I have great references. That being said, I was sent a rejection letter from my first department since they had "more qualified applicants". There will always been people stronger and smarter than you applying, and people with spotless records. Military is looked upon very favorably, and I have no experience so I am down on the list to start. If it is something you want, stay out of trouble, don't do anything stupid, and apply at several departments. Take the experience from the hiring process and learn from it. If you don't get hired now, wait a few years (as said by many on this board, time is your friend) and try again.

[Johninaustin]

No really major landmines that I can see, you lack of life experience is going to be a factor against you just like the traffic history.

I'd downplay the CJ degree and emphasize the BA when it comes to your education.;)


The late payments are not really a factor, neither is the downloaded music and porn. You are a student. It's expected. Just be honest.

What IS your height/weight?

[nikechick24]

5'2''
About 165

I have alot of muscle..but of course not all of it is. lol

[North Patrol]

5'2''
About 165

I have alot of muscle..but of course not all of it is. lol

No one would ever admit it but that is going to be a problem.

[MP_Steve]

Sorry I misunderstood the drug part of your post.

I thought you were referring to being in the presence of active drug users while being involved in a police internship.

My bad.

[mcsap]

5'2''
About 165

I have alot of muscle..but of course not all of it is. lol

In order to pass a typical physical agility test...you have to be able to do sit-ups, bench press a portion of your own weight and RUN.

At 5ft 2 165 lbs , I DOUBT that you can do all three , especially the running part. You have too much weight for your height.

You need to find out what the physical agility standards are for the PD's in your area and than test yourself.


In my STATE . the standards are as follows ( for 20-29 year old FEMALES)

At hiring 1.5 mile run in 15:57

At end of 5 month academy 14:55

At hiring sit-ups 29

At end of academy 34

At hiring bench press
percentage of your body weight 56%

At end of academy 65%

At hiring 300 meter run 75 sec

At end of academy 64 sec.



You must pass ALL of these both at the hiring stage and at the end of the academy. NO waivers, NO excuses. It doesn't matter how muscular you are, you must pass all four. If you pass everything but miss the run by one second... you are gone.

So , make sure that you do more than the bare minimum requirements.

[nikechick24]

In order to pass a typical physical agility test...you have to be able to do sit-ups, bench press a portion of your own weight and RUN.

At 5ft 2 165 lbs , I DOUBT that you can do all three , especially the running part. You have too much weight for your height.

You need to find out what the physical agility standards are for the PD's in your area and than test yourself.


In my STATE . the standards are as follows ( for 20-29 year old FEMALES)

At hiring 1.5 mile run in 15:57

At end of 5 month academy 14:55

At hiring sit-ups 29

At end of academy 34

At hiring bench press
percentage of your body weight 56%

At end of academy 65%

At hiring 300 meter run 75 sec

At end of academy 64 sec.



You must pass ALL of these both at the hiring stage and at the end of the academy. NO waivers, NO excuses. It doesn't matter how muscular you are, you must pass all four. If you pass everything but miss the run by one second... you are gone.

So , make sure that you do more than the bare minimum requirements.

I know I need to drop a little weight.


But I can do a mile and a half in 12 minutes.

Can do at least 29 situps in a minute

Can bench press 1/2 my weight. ( I can do 3 sets, 12 reps of 95) So I could max at alot more.

I can run a 300 in faster than 60 seconds. I use to run a 200 in less than 30.

I have played soccer since I was 4. (In hs & college too)
Skied since I was 4, and I ski race.
I play a million sports. So I am very athletic.