Question for recruiter/experienced officer please.

[JohnnyRocco1948]

Thanks to all for their replies...

[Pookie44]

Welcome to RP:D

[StartingOut]

I was buying the excuses until the last one about you "mysteriously" getting paid by your company for two weeks when you were not at work, particularly when you were the only person who had access to the system and you were the only person who could possibly benefit from the theft.

To me, it sounds like you paid yourself in the system, thinking nobody would notice, and you got caught. And it sounds like you were very lucky the employer didn't involve the police and have charges brought against you, and instead offered you an "easy" way out by having you return the stolen money and then pretending that you weren't fired to save you from considerable embarrassment. I'm sure there's a detrimental notation in your HR file at that company. If you really were innocent, I'm not seeing much effort on your part to save an honest 11 year career. Why didn't you appeal it through the HR department? Surely such a major company would have formal grievance procedures in place?

Computers only do what their operators tell them to do. They don't have unexplainable "issues".

Just calling it like I see it...

[JohnnyRocco1948]

I was buying the excuses until the last one about you "mysteriously" getting paid by your company for two weeks when you were not at work when you were the only person who had access to the system and you were the only person who could possibly benefit from the theft.

To me, it sounds like you paid yourself in the system, thinking nobody would notice, and you got caught. And it sounds like you were very lucky the employer didn't involve the police and have charges brought against you, and instead offered you an "easy" way out by returning the stolen money and pretending that you weren't fired to save you from considerable embarrassment. I'm sure there's a detrimental notation in your HR file at that company.

Just calling it like I see it...

I surely understand that, and please dont take the following as being curt. It is just additional information.

Unfortunately the company position was non-union and I live in a right-to-work state. The company had no grievance policy for non-union employees. I wish I could have fought it, but outside the fight I put up with the managers present, there was nothing I could do. I even spoke to several attorneys all who said I could not do anything. They did however state that since there was no proof, the company "better not" give a negative reference about me or it would be slander and then I could pursue legal avenues. This company does not make a habbit of "giving breaks" and is the largest employer in this state. If they actually thought I had be responsible they would have come after me.

I was not responsible for the error. I know how it looks, and that is why I am concerned. From what I know and believe, it was a system error, and has happened to others. I had been with the company for over 11 years and had only one disciplinary action taken against me, which was attendance for taking care of my mother.

Not to mention we had just spent alomost $100,000 on the wedding with that company two weeks prior, and received several thousand dollars cash/checks as gifts (please don't take this the wrong way, I just want all the information out there). I just did not need/want the money and returned it immediately after they gave me the sum.

On another note, I am currently employed with another large company. I know they contacted my previous employer, and obviously were not given negative information on me?

Thanks

[StartingOut]

The extra info is appreciated. And don't take my post as an accusation - it's just an obvious conclusion that could be drawn. In my research so far, matters involving mishandling money (or the possibility of mishandling money) - particularly in the employer/employee context - are a big red flag.

[DeltaV]

They did however state that since there was no proof, the company "better not" give a negative reference about me or it would be slander and then I could pursue legal avenues.

A police department has many ways of getting information other than what is in your personnel file. You can also rest assured that a police background investigation will be a lot more in-depth than anything a private sector employer would conduct.

Additionally, you will usually not get a police department to give you a specific reason of why you aren't hired if you failed a background investigation. We aren't going to tell you that someone at your old company gave you a bad reference. In fact, police background investigations are not part of the same public records laws that other government documents are. Your lawyer wouldn't even be successful if he tried to subpoena your background investigation in order to examine it to see what people said about you.

Believe me, when we talk to your previous employers we will make sure they know that NOTHING they say about you will ever make its way back to you so you can use it against them legally. That's the only way we can get some people to tell the truth about previous employees.

Anyway, all that doesn't really matter. When they "ended your partnership," they fired you. That's something that you will have to disclose and explain during your background investigation. I don't really think that many background investigators are going to believe your story about someone mysteriously gaining access to your computer and paying you for time you did not work.

[Creeker]

I could compare the "double dipping" via computer to double posting on this forum... I know how easy it is to do accidentally... especially if you have a slow connection.

Aside from that, I have nothing constructive to add, other than Good Luck.

[pac201]

"I worked for the same employer (major US company) for over 11 years, and had an outstanding work history. One afternoon I was called into my manager’s office. They stated that I had been retro paid that day for 2 weeks that I was out"

you didn't realize you were paid when you weren't supposed to be? Just curious...

[JohnnyRocco1948]

"you didn't realize you were paid when you weren't supposed to be? Just curious...

No, I was "approached" by management the morning of the direct deposit (pay day). I worked AM shifts and hadn't looked at my bank account yet, as I usually did that when I got home because I use Microsoft Money. Of course, once I was approached, I pulled it up there and then. I had no idea before that.

[JohnnyRocco1948]

I don't really think that many background investigators are going to believe your story about someone mysteriously gaining access to your computer and paying you for time you did not work.

Fair; and I am not saying that is what happened. What I am saying is that I did not do anything intentionally to cause the situation, which means it was either someone who had access to that information (for God knows what reason), computer error, or something I did inadvertently. I did not need the money and was considering LE at that time. I wouldn’t have wanted to do anything to jeopardize that.

Oh, and it should be mentioned that it could have happened on any computer, not just mine. It was a simple web-based program that you access with a username (which was not private) and password. You could even access the system from home if you needed to.

It should also be mentioned that the company no longer uses that system because of all the problems it had.

I appreciate your time.

[JohnnyRocco1948]

[QUOTE=Creeker;979015] I could compare the "double dipping" via computer to double posting on this forum... I know how easy it is to do accidentally... especially if you have a slow connection. QUOTE]

Great; it was no accident, I posted them both intentionally. I should not have done that. I apologize to you, and I have privately apologized to the moderator. Newbie mistake.

I won't do it again.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Well, since everyone is focusing on the job thing, I'll focus on the other stuff you posted.

Item 1. The purse theft may be mitigated by your age at the time, and that you didn't actually take it from the lady herself, you just didn't turn it in as a good employee (or citizen should).

Items 2 & 3. Your chances may be hurt because not many departments are eager to take on someone with a lot of personal baggage. If your ex is willing to lie about you now, what will she be willing to say about you if you get on the job somewhere? Even false complaints against an officer have to be investigated and looked into, and that takes time and manpower, which equals $ spent. Because they know this potential exists on the front end, they may decide it's cheaper to go with someone else.

Item 4. A bankruptcy will hurt or dq you in some departments, and will be no big deal for others. This one will be an agency by agency basis.

You already have several opinions on item 5, so all I'll say about it is that it will be up to you to adequately explain the circumstances to your BI and it will be up to your BI as to whether he/she believes you or not. It's as simple as that.

[grumpyirishman]

Not to mention we had just spent almost $100,000 on the wedding ....

Can you say "fiscally responsible?" -----NOT :p

[StartingOut]

JohnnyRocco1948 - if you're having a hard time convincing anyone on an internet message board that the payroll matter was an mishap that you had nothing to do with, I seriously doubt you'll be able to convince even a half-assed background investigator that it was all an innocent mistake after he or she looks at all the facts (including what your employer has to say).

Personally, if I was a police department, I'd pass and hire someone with a background that doesn't include accusations of stealing from an employer. After all, I'm sure cops have more opportunities to steal and get away with it than virtually anybody else.

It's just not looking good, that's all.

(And my wedding cost me - er, I mean my wife's parents - about ten grand at most. Are your relatives "big eaters"?)

[JohnnyRocco1948]

(And my wedding cost me - er, I mean my wife's parents - about ten grand at most. Are your relatives "big eaters"?)

That sounds allot like a personal attack, but I will respond anyway...

First, I appreciate your feedback. I have been advised everything from, "You'll be ok, just be honest" to your post.

If poly'ed on it, I would pass.

My wife's parents are no longer with us. I paid for the wedding, and no, it was not because anyone was "big eaters" it was the venue and amount of people we had.

I am much better off now in life than ever before. God knows I would not be taking a job in LE for the money. I just want to do more than be a desk junkie/corp. man at this point.

Thanks