Do I have a shot?

[guardguy]

I see many posts like this, so I figured I'd finally ask.
Cons:
Feb 07 arrested for carrying a police baton in my car (ACOD charges removed)
Vision 20/200 in left eye would need lasik and contacts to get 20/20
Messed up a bit in college due to drama, and just poor attendance
OCD/ADD (taking medication for both with no signs of symptoms from either even if I miss a day)
1 Speeding ticket for 81 in a 55 on Jan 08 (long story, paid it gonna get defensive classes soon)

Pros:
4 years martial arts training (Tae Kwon Do) high brown belt (master instructor is a retired SCPD captain, but that probably doesn't matter)
Dedicated to every job I've ever had (including McDonald's) to the point where money from my own pocket is used to make my job easier
Skilled with computers at an IT admin level (probably doesn't matter)
Currently working full time at a DOE funded laboratory as a computer administrator (hopefully shows responsibility) (only a 1.5 months in so far)
Never done drugs, never even had 1 beer (age 20 and being totally honest right now)
Extreme desire to uphold, and enforce the law (I'm not just trying to get an authority position, or a gun)

I don't have time to continue my education this upcoming semester but I do plan on doing so. I have taken 2 police exams so far. the first I got an 85 the second I'm still waiting on the grade. What are my best options for making myself a good candidate? Thanks

[Legoate]

Extreme desire to uphold, and enforce the law (I'm not just trying to get an authority position, or a gun)

And yet you were arrested last year carrying a police baton in your car (a felony where I am from) and just got caught speeding over 80.

Your actions speak clearly about your "extreme desire".

Departments want to see action, not just listen to talk. They want to see a history of positive behavior, and they want to see you abide by the law.

You say you "messed up" in college- this could mean a ton of things and yet you glossed right over it. You had "drama"? Don't we all. Be ready for a BI to ask you the hard questions because they won't just drop it after a statement like you "messed up". I've had people who got prison sentences tell me "I really messed up this time".

You say your speeding was a "long story". Well not too much to explain- the speed limit was 55, and you were exceeding it. Seems like a short and easy story to me unless you are going to explain that the force of gravity was greater in the area that you were driving and was pulling you downhill with a force against which you could not compensate with your brakes.

Try going a few year with no negative run-ins with law enforcement and THEN consider applying.

[guardguy]

And yet you were arrested last year carrying a police baton in your car (a felony where I am from) and just got caught speeding over 80.

It was given to me by someone who was my friend, and he claimed it was perfectly legal. He was supposedly in the armed forces, so I had no reason to doubt him until I got in trouble. Since that incident I refused to talk to him, and even avoided baton training as a security guard, because for guards it was a gray area from other discussions I've had on here. and with my supervisors.

Your actions speak clearly about your "extreme desire".

I do not have a good response for this, but since those incidents I have been trying hard. I even left a girl I loved, because she started smoking pot, and I didn't want to associate with anyone that could ruin my future in LE

Departments want to see action, not just listen to talk. They want to see a history of positive behavior, and they want to see you abide by the law.

What actions can I do (besides staying out of trouble) to help counter my negative past?

You say you "messed up" in college- this could mean a ton of things and yet you glossed right over it. You had "drama"? Don't we all. Be ready for a BI to ask you the hard questions because they won't just drop it after a statement like you "messed up". I've had people who got prison sentences tell me "I really messed up this time".

I just didn't pay attention, cut classes, and basically acted like a child when it came to my responsibilities. I never cut a class in High School, and I don't know why I started in college. Drama is in reference to an ex stalking me while I was on campus, but not to a point where legal action would be helpful.

You say your speeding was a "long story". Well not too much to explain- the speed limit was 55, and you were exceeding it. Seems like a short and easy story to me unless you are going to explain that the force of gravity was greater in the area that you were driving and was pulling you downhill with a force against which you could not compensate with your brakes.

Short version is my speedometer broke (digital display saying my speed was "5E") plus I was arguing with my now ex about her starting to smoke pot on the way to drop her off, and I was just trying to match the speed of the one or 2 cars in front of me (11:30pm) Normally I never speed, and when I'm a passenger in cars, I tend to backseat drive about speed, and cellphones.

Try going a few year with no negative run-ins with law enforcement and THEN consider applying.

I did recently take a Sheriff's Exam, and I am awaiting the grades. If called for interviews, or a physical, should I decline, or still go even knowing these things are recent? (Don't want to look bad, not sure which choice is worse) The next set of Exams in my area are in 2011. Should that be long enough? What else can I do to make myself a better candidate (besides staying out of trouble. Yes I know I asked this above) I'm hoping my job at a DOE funded lab will help my background. I did have to take a background test, and medical exam to get this job, (took 4 months for a response after filling out the BI paperwork) so I can't have too bad of a history. LE is my dream. A recent dream, but it's one I've been more passionate about then any other, and I've made some naive mistakes, like trusting a fake Army soldier. Thank you for your time.

PS: I hope my recently posted history doesn't change anyone's opinion about me in the RP community. I try my hardest to be a good citizen.

[guardguy]

Sorry for double posting but I forgot one more con:
I was fired from Circuit City for not charging a customer for a PC repair. What happened was: I took a computer in but the logging system was down. The guy rushed off to work claiming to be back on his lunch break to pay for it and pick it up. End of my shift came, no customer. I left a note more detailed then the logging system would have been. Next day I didn't work. Customer came in, and the manager gave it to him without charging him. I was fired by that manager for his mistake as a CYA on his part. Human Resources didn't help me, and Dept. of Labor wouldn't help me even make it look like a resignation. This manager was fired shortly after for trying the same stunt (as I'm told by friend's that still work there) I heard from a friend that is also trying to become a cop that a fire on my employment history looks really bad, and that he fought several times to make his Best Buy fire look like a resignation just because of his desire to be a LEO. Any thoughts on this situation as well? Thank you.

[Legoate]

At my department the baton charge would be the most difficult thing for you to overcome. It may automatically DQ you forever. An arrest for a felony crime is a big deal- even if you are not later prosecuted.

However, one thing about police backgrounds is that time is your friend. If you show a period of time with no issues and positive changes in your life you may still have a shot- it's all up to the standards at the department you are applying for.

As far as the amount of time you need- it all depends on the opinion of the person doing the hiring. 5 years is a golden number- if something can't be fixed in 5 years, it can't be fixed. But someone at some department may shrug and figure 2 years is fine.

[guardguy]

Thank you for the advice. I do have a few questions related to your response. When they look at my background, would they ask me about anything that happened? (ie: why I had the baton) If I knew it was illegal, I would have told the guy to get lost, and give it to the precinct instead of me. Besides the ticket, I have done nothing wrong since that day. I try very hard to make myself a good candidate. The departments I will be trying for are going to be NYPD, Suffolk PD, Suffolk Sheriffs, Nassau PD, and Nassau Sheriffs. If anyone has some insight on these departments, please let me know. Thanks again.

[Tghockey11]

wow 20/200 is gonna be rough...i have 20/100 without contacts and 20/30 with and i had to retake the eye exam two times lol

[itsdalaw1983]

I see many posts like this, so I figured I'd finally ask.
Cons:
Feb 07 arrested for carrying a police baton in my car (ACOD charges removed)
Vision 20/200 in left eye would need lasik and contacts to get 20/20
Messed up a bit in college due to drama, and just poor attendance
OCD/ADD (taking medication for both with no signs of symptoms from either even if I miss a day)
1 Speeding ticket for 81 in a 55 on Jan 08 (long story, paid it gonna get defensive classes soon)

Pros:
4 years martial arts training (Tae Kwon Do) high brown belt (master instructor is a retired SCPD captain, but that probably doesn't matter)
Dedicated to every job I've ever had (including McDonald's) to the point where money from my own pocket is used to make my job easier
Skilled with computers at an IT admin level (probably doesn't matter)
Currently working full time at a DOE funded laboratory as a computer administrator (hopefully shows responsibility) (only a 1.5 months in so far)
Never done drugs, never even had 1 beer (age 20 and being totally honest right now)
Extreme desire to uphold, and enforce the law (I'm not just trying to get an authority position, or a gun)

I don't have time to continue my education this upcoming semester but I do plan on doing so. I have taken 2 police exams so far. the first I got an 85 the second I'm still waiting on the grade. What are my best options for making myself a good candidate? Thanks

Heres my pros and cons

Cons
being chubby, being 80 pounds overwieght however still strong and tough.
Being placled on academic probation senior year of colloge at john jay of criminal justice.
Sometimes do alochol once in a while

Pros,
Recieved liberal arts degree in associates of arts at a community college
Recently graduated with a bachlors degree from john jay college of criminal justice.
Never did any kind of drugs whats so ever.
Never been arrested, never been detained or incarcerated, neither am I a felon.
Im also a law biding and law upholding citizen.
Never fired from a job!

I have more pros and cons however I still manged to be disqualified by the NYPD twice and be disqualified by the New York city department of corrections last week. Im a perfect candidate I got what it takes, im tough with integrity and im also tenacious but I was still disqualified even thuogh I have more pros then cons but the cons seem to have more wieght then the pros!

[itsdalaw1983]

yeah getting fired from a job looks pretty bad, that wont look good when they look at your background investigation and pshycologicals interview. A friend of mines was recently disqualified by the NYPD pshycological for the fact that he was fired from two previous jobs in his life. In order to get hired by a government agency you really need clean records of health, records of arrests, credit reports and employment history, if any of your records are bad no doubt a police department or any government agency will turn a cadnidate down. A know a girl who is on pshcological review for PAPD becuase of the possibility that she mentioned her credit and debt history is really bad!

[Wanabe]

"Never did any kind of drugs whats so ever.
Never been arrested, never been detained or incarcerated, neither am I a felon.
Im also a law biding and law upholding citizen.
Never fired from a job!"


Not trying to sound like a ahole because im pretty much in a similar situation as you from reading your posts, but those arent really pro's that is just doing what is expected of you as a citizen. I also think if you go into a interview and try to pawn these off as pro's you will not be looked at upon very highly.

[shrubs82]

Heres my pros and cons

Cons being chubby, being 80 pounds overwieght however still strong and tough.
Being a liar
Being placled on academic probation senior year of colloge at john jay of criminal justice.
Sometimes do alochol once in a while

Pros,
Recieved liberal arts degree in associates of arts at a community college
Recently graduated with a bachlors degree from john jay college of criminal justice.
Never did any kind of drugs whats so ever.
Never been arrested, never been detained or incarcerated, neither am I a felon.
Im also a law biding and law upholding citizen.
Never fired from a job!

I have more pros and cons however I still manged to be disqualified by the NYPD twice and be disqualified by the New York city department of corrections last week. Im a perfect candidate I got what it takes, im tough with integrity and im also tenacious but I was still disqualified even thuogh I have more pros then cons but the cons seem to have more wieght then the pros!

But in your cons you said you are a liar...how do we know you are not lieing about being arrested or doing drugs hmmmmmmmmmm

[bell4fan]

the thing is, alot of things people consider "pros", i.e. college degree, not a felon, stable work history etc. arent pros. they are minimun qualifications to apply that every other canidate has.

i guess its a pro if the dept doesnt have an education requirement, but most of your bigger ones do. so if you have to have a bachelor's degree to apply, having one isnt a pro, its a requirement. the cons are what seperates the good from the bad.

[Wanabe]

im tough with integrity

How are you a liar and say you have integrity... im curious why you call your self a liar....

[itsdalaw1983]

im not really am I liar, but anyway the whole world lies, police officers lie in self defense in a court room. I said that during my phscological and my interview told me that Im must be a liar and anything I told her could be a lie like not taking drugs or being kicked out of school which never happened. Anyway I dont plan on joining the NYPD anymore i just want to appeal there psych leave NYC and start work for Charolotte PD in NC.

[Wanabe]

well i guess that could be the reason corrections failed you, dude no one want to hire a liar, i understand what you are getting at. So what did correction say to you when they DQ'D you? did they give you a reason?