Failed Background Check

[brbourdo]

Let me start off by saying I really appreciate this forum. I have spent hours reading through tons of information and it's just fantastic. I'm glad a resource like this exists on the internet.

I applied for a Reserve position with a local Sheriff's Office and was unfortunately turned down. The letter I received basically stated that "we appreciate your interest ... many candidates applied ... you were not accepted for an item in your background investigation"

All my life I've wanted to be a cop, I've thought of absolutely nothing else for as long as I can remember. I haven't ever been charged of a misdemeanor, or felony. Simple traffic tickets is pretty much the extent of my "badness." I know some people seem to think that this isn't necessarily a good quality for a cop, because you don't have first hand experience in your past, but I've never even done pot. No drugs period.

I'd like to explain the only 3 things I can think of that might be disqualifiers, for the experienced folks around here to consider.

1: Credit. One thing that really stands out to me is the fact that my credit report has a few dings due to something a friend who is a background investigator (not the assigned one of course) told me were explainable. No bankruptcies, no garnishments, no reposessions. Just some late payments, and an item that was sent to collections.

2: School. After high school, I was convinced to take some college courses as a backup to LE work. Since I was very interested in computers at the time, and had a hobby of programming and website design, I got into Computer Science. I failed pretty miserably. Turned out I absolutely hated it, and it was just too much for me to be able to handle. My college transcript leaves a bit to be desired.

3: Refernces. Stupidly, I asked a person whom I've only known for about 6 months to write a reference for me. The references were requesting specifically people from in-state, if I could provide them. At the time, I was new to this state and only been here about 8 months. I decided to let him be one of my references to comply with a request from them (even tho it's not required, I felt obligated to provide at least 1 in-state reference). I worked with his g/f and we did not get along. (While I cannot provide any proof tho the following statement, I believe it to be true due to information from a few fellow co-workers) She seems to have convinced him to let her write my reference, and proceeded to completely bash me. As far as I understand, things were said about me that were untrue and very very harmful.

I'm freaking out, I've planned and built my life around being a police officer and was just turned down. I honestly don't have a backup plan. I don't know what I would do with my life if I couldn't be involved with law enforcement.

Basically, what I'm wondering is. Based on the information from the letter provided to me, is it possible that by "not passed due to item in background investigation?" They simply mean that mine didn't stack up with some of the experience of other applicants? That perhaps I simply wasn't qualified enough. Or am I looking at failing for one of my possible listed causes? Will one failed background check completely destroy opportunities for me in this field?

I'm quite discouraged at this point. I don't want this to kill my opportunity to get involved with the career I've always wanted.

[bell4fan]

Thats not the only law enforcement agency in the country, try somewhere else.

[brbourdo]

I don't want to sound rude, but that doesn't really answer a single question that I asked. Am I to assume that you read the information, and have concluded that none of my listed items are DQ worthy?

[retdetsgt]

Probably the collection on your credit record, could have been the reference. Maybe the combination of both.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. No matter how badly someone wants to be a cop, there could always be something that might prevent you that you have no control over.

You're at the beginning of your adult life, be open to all possibilities.

[DeltaV]

Have you attempted to follow up with the agency and inquire as to what exactly was the background issue that disqualified you? I would specifically ask them about the "reference letter" written by the female and officially request a copy. If she willfully wrote libelous statements about you then that could be evidence in a civil case against her.

One failed BI will not disqualify you from other agencies, as every agency has slightly different background standards. I definitely would not use that person as a reference again if you think his wife is sabotaging you.

[brbourdo]

I really wish I could ask the investigator, but they have a very strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy at this department. They told me right at the initial BI interview not to waste their, or my time asking for details because they simply won't give it.

Are BI different for different positions within an agency usually? I have an open application with them for a corrections position. Should I expect to be DQ due to this failure?

Thanks retdetsgt, and deltav. You have provided me with some great info so far.

[DeltaV]

I really wish I could ask the investigator, but they have a very strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy at this department. They told me right at the initial BI interview not to waste their, or my time asking for details because they simply won't give it.

As I said before, libelous statements are illegal. You have a right to that document if it will serve as evidence during a civil proceeding and the department must provide it to you. That said, a subpoena might be necessary and that would mean actually retaining an attorney and proceeding with a lawsuit. I'm not sure if it would be worth it for you to do that.

Are BI different for different positions within an agency usually? I have an open application with them for a corrections position. Should I expect to be DQ due to this failure?

Standards are usually lower for corrections than for law enforcement, so it might not be an automatic disqualifier.

[bell4fan]

I could be wrong, but I THINK, you can request your application and b/i through a public records request. Not sure though.

[DeltaV]

I could be wrong, but I THINK, you can request your application and b/i through a public records request. Not sure though.

That all depends on state law. Such documents are usually exempted from public records as they contain lots of personal information. This is information that people like the media and defense attorneys do not need to see.

If it's a federal job then you can file a FOIA request and get the results of the investigation.

[brbourdo]

its likely then that an actual police officer with this department due to a failed bi is unlikely at best? even years down the road? i shouldn't have picked the agency i wanted to work for the most first then, eh? :P

[retdetsgt]

Probably can forget them hiring you if they won't take you as a reserve.

Get some time between you and this application. Get some better associates, some good work record behind you doing something else and more importantly, get your credit more squared away. With some time between now and that collection along with some good bill paying, you could have a lot better chance down the road with another dept. It might take a year or two, that'll give you a chance to work on patience too.;)

[seeking]

its likely then that an actual police officer with this department due to a failed bi is unlikely at best? even years down the road? i shouldn't have picked the agency i wanted to work for the most first then, eh? :P

Actually it wouldn't have made sense to me if you didn't. I mean, if you put your app in somewhere you didn't really want, and then the one you did, and the one you didn't was going to accept you while you were still waiting on the one you really wanted, what would you do? You can't leave the one who wants you hanging, and you can't bank on the one you really want taking you after you decline the other. So, my opinion would be that it would be best to start off where you really want to be and work your way down your list.

[Old Justice]

I would apply somewhere else. You're not finished just because one agency turned you down. I know someone that couldn't make it into the LAPD but she was accepted with the California State Police. She loves her job.