backround questions

[linebackeru]

Hello all, I have a question about backround checks. if you folks can help, great. Here goes.

I have applied to be a reserve officer for the city I live in. Im 40 and a solid citizen. Very good physical shape. My actual goal is to work at the county jail as a corrections officer and eventually an Intake counselor, but we'll see. Last time I checked, they didn't have prison internships, so being a reserve seemed logical. so heres the issues that may hurt me in my Backround checks I think.

1. Im a recovered achohalic. Sober for 5 years. Loving life. fortunatley I quit before I did any permanent damage to family or career. I didn't drink much until I was in mid twenties. Every day I try to live soberley and with authenticity. I've already made up my mind to tell the BI people about this,to many lives at stake to not do it. I have no criminal record, no drug use (other than alcohal) and a stable employment history.

here is one incident related to my drinking that happened and I have to disclose in order that I can live with myself. Its acually the incident that was a turning point for me.

One night in december of 03, I was drinking. my wife confronts me, we argue, I leave to cool off but with my half container. I hadnt drank much. I drive 5 blocks and pull in to a grocery store parking lot. I needed to re group. I started thinking WTF am I doing here, what am i thinking, how did a guy with such good parents and family end up here. anyway, cop pulls up behind me ,Im like whoops busted. He comes up and asks " what are you doing here? as he shines his light in my car. So I just told him the truth. He goes OK do you have ID? yup. I hand him liscense he runs a check comes back and says how far are you from home, I go 5 blocks. he goes "dump that thing out and walk home and get some help. No ticket.
That was my last drink and my life was changed by that encounter. I have to disclose this, just wondering will they automatically throw me out for this. Its not on my record but still.

The other incident happened 21 years ago when I was in college. My roomate and myself along with several others went out one night. were driving in this truck when my roomate jumps out and steals a falen road sign. Im like what was that! he takes it back to the dorm room and uses it for a table. Cop walks by one time and sees the sign sitting there. has me and my roomate go downtown with him. He was prepared to book us both when a friend of his who was our RA shows up and says "if you bust these guys you have to bust 80% of the students up there becuase they all have these in there rooms.
The cop goes back and asks everyone who has a sign to put it in the lobby and he'll come back in twenty minutes. anyhow, I was never arrested or booked but was detained for questioning. I was a stupid kid who had a jackass for a roomate. Should have never allowed him to do that.

Those are my only two run-ins with the law other than parking tickets and expired tage once. Am I just askig to be DQ'ed. I guess I could live with being turned down but I couldn't live with lying about it. I feel I can do some good and actually help my community. thanks in advance.

[SnapShawt]

Looks fine to me. The age MIGHT be an issue, but that varies from state to state and agency to agency, so check that out as well. The incident with the wife isn't a big deal. No ticket or charge and it wasn't a horrible thing. The road sign in college 21 years ago .... college kids do crazy and stupid stuff, and jacking road signs is one of them many times. No worries on that one.

Here's the thing. GOOD citizens look at these issues and play them up big in their minds to the point that they feel guilty or like a common criminal. Apply and see what happens.