Another Background Question

[mfh83]

Hey all,

Just wanted to get some "straight-talk" about my potential as a LEO. Here's the basics:

24 years old, good shape, did well on written and physical exams.

Experience:
4-years active duty Marine Corps, highest rank was a Sergeant, two tours to Iraq, won a number of awards (Bronze Star for Valor in combat, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast, etc). Was the Academic Honor Student of my military job school (Combat Engineering). Served as a squad leader, supervised 9 guys. No disciplinary issues.

B.S. in Administration of Justice from Penn State. Graduated with a 3.76 GPA, Dean's List every semester, graduated with distinction, won Administration of Justice Student of the Year 2007, won Ogontz Scholar award, top in my major in my graduating class.

Currently work as a security detective for a Macy's department store, work history outside of school/Marine Corps and Macy's pretty lackluster, part-time retail and food service jobs mostly. No disciplinary issues in any position.

Volunteered as a peer assistant at my college, volunteered as a tutor in philadelphia for at-risk populations, taught a class of immigrants english as a second language, was Treasurer of my school's Justice Association.

Problems:
Used marijuana twice when I first started college (3 yrs ago).
Was arrested at age 14 for playing in an-under construction house. The original charge was burglary (a pretty stiff charge considering I didn't break or take anything) but it was reduced to trespassing. Got 20 hours community service, performed it successfully.
No speeding tickets or moving violations whatsoever, but 4 (yes, four) traffic accidents. First one was about 6 years ago, I was coming straight through a four-way intersection and the other guy attempted to turn left coming the opposite way in front of me, I slammed on the brakes but we still clipped each other. Damage was exceedingly minor, I had a cracked bumper, but the other guy left the scene and I did not report it to police or to my insurance company.
Second accident was a few weeks after the first, I was returning to base very late at night and spaced out at the wheel, bumped a jersey barrier on the interstate, again very minor damage but still. No police or insurance report was filed.
Third accident was about a year ago, I was coming down a very narrow one-lane road, a vehicle was approaching from hte opposite direction, I tried to shift to the right to give the other guy room and I knocked my side view mirror against a telephone pole (which was placed portruding into the road, I might add). Again, minor damage, this time I told my insurance company who paid for the repair.
Last accident was around two years ago, I was at a stop light, leaned into the passenger seat to grab something and my foot slipped off the brake, the automatic trans engaged and I tapped the bumper of the car ahead of me. We pulled over, there was no visible damage to either vehicle, exchanged information anyway but no reports were ever filed.

Obviously, it's my traffic record that scares me the most. All the situations were exceedingly minor and the police were not involved in any of them, but regardless LEO's spend a lot of time behind the wheel and my record is less than stellar.

As for my medical issues, I have but one. After my first tour to Iraq I was treated for PTSD, went to a group counseling for a month or two and was declared cured and fit for regular duty, at which point I returned to Iraq for a second tour. I collect no disability and have claimed none.

At least I have no tickets or DUI's, I guess. At this point, I'm just hoping my college and military record overcome all the bad junk.

I really want to be a LEO, I can't imagine doing anything else but I realize I need to accept the fact that I may have already blown my shot.

What do you all think?

[counihan]

If all the information you have provided is true to the best of your knowledge and you aren't leaving anything out...you should have absolutely no problem competing. Thanks for serving, and good luck to you and your future!

[mfh83]

Thank you for taking the time to read my epic post and comment, counihan! Your response helps put my mind a little more at ease... as I'm sure you and all other LEO's and applicants know, this application process has become all-consuming. From the time I wake up till the time I hit the rack, it's LEO app process on the brain every minute!

And no need to thank me for my service, I enjoy protecting and serving, whether it be my country or my community!

[SnapShawt]

First, thank you very much for you service. You ARE appreciated.

I wouldn't say it's as easy as counihan states. That traffic record is going to hurt. It's not a killer, but it may set you back a bit. You'll be competing against others who have perfect traffic records. It will be looked at in the bigger picture, but it WILL be looked at and considered.

The PTSD is expected given your service and shouldn't be an issue as long as you can show the treatment and return to duty, which you obviously can.

All things considered, I'd say you're in good shape all-around. Best of luck!

[Wolfman]

Thank you for your service. I think you have a good shot. The trouble areas will be the traffic (obvious as already stated) and possibly the drug use - not so much use as the time on it. Some departments require more time than others after drug use and it is usually a state/agency specific amount of time. All in all though, I think that you will have a good shot.

[jsk02a]

Sounds to me (and this doesn't account for much) that you have a stellar shot.

I believe that candidates that are 100% perfect are few and far between...you have your driving record, I have my poor credit...we've all got something, and though people say "yeah but another candidate might have a stellar driving record" that doesn't mean he has a stellar every-thing-else record (of course there are those that do).

Nonetheless - I appreciate your service to our country and good luck with your journey Devil Dog!

Semper Fi

[mcsap]

The burglary at age 14 is almost non-extisent now, especially with the circumstances mentioned.

The 3 yr old drug use MIGHT sideline you for up to 2 years.

The accidents are ALL minor and none were evre reported to the police and therefore won't show on your driving record. A bruise that you have had 4 in that amount of time but they were still minor.

Your military background, degree, GPA etc are all GREAT attributes to bring to a hiring dept.

If I were you I would apply and see what happens. See if any prospective departments off Veterans Preference !! The extra 10 points really helps !!

And thank you for serving your country !

[lawduck]

Just apply and hope for the best. After all, that's all you can do.
And don't lie.

[mfh83]

Hey all,

Had my first couple oral boards already. The first one I thought I did decent on, not great, but alright, and got the "thanks, but please try again next year" letter. The second one I think I did pretty great on, I can't for the life of me think of anything I could've said or done better. Haven't gotten the results back from it yet, though.

Here's my question, before the second interview I had a quick one on one with the detective I assume will be doing my BI. He asked about Facebook and Myspace accounts. Now, I guess I always assumed they would but since I rarely use Facebook or Myspace these days I didn't really think of it.

My Facebook is devoid of pretty much any issues whatsoever, I've used it maybe 5 times in 3 years and it says almost nothing about me.

The Myspace, however, I used somewhat frequently in college (although it's been over a year since I last posted anything new). There's nothing "bad" on it, no illegal activity or mention thereof, but some silliness or jokes which could be misconstrued, maybe.

Basically, there's some blogs I wrote while angry about this or that in which I use the F-word multiple times. There's a story I wrote for creative writing class about these guys who decide to rob a bank (there's nothing about actually robbing the bank, the story is how they come to that decision in their lives). There's one picture of a group of my friends toasting shots, and another of my friend (over 21) with a beer. A couple times in blogs or whatnot I make mention of enjoying beer. I wrote about a porn documentary I saw on HBO. I wrote a blog about the things I liked and disliked about my time in the military (including mentioning that I disliked working for bad leadership without naming names). Stupid stuff. All written over a year ago, most over two years ago during my first year of college.

Like I said, nothing "bad" but nothing really professional either, nothing which shines a positive light on me. I would be happy to just delete the whole thing, but I'm refraining from altering it in any way since I already reported it to the detective. I was actually thinking of calling him and asking if I could just delete it.

What do you guys think? Will it be a hinderance? The department I interviewed for today is my first choice, they are the department for my township and the one I'm most familiar with. If I got bumped for a Myspace account, well, I'd feel pretty stupid.

Any advice is appreciated.

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

I think everyone should just delete their Myspace accounts?