Oral Psych

[apcc487]

So I went to my written psych a few days ago. I am not worried about that. I was pretty honest and I'm pretty sure I do not have any personality disorders or tendencies or whatever it is they look for. However, 10 years ago when I was 11, I went to see a psychologist because my mother felt I was too rebellious. Now first of all, I have no idea who this guy is, I definitely cannot remember. My mom does not remember either. Would this be a problem? It was a one time thing by my mothers choice when I was 11 years old and we honestly cannot remember where this guy was or if he's even still there.

BTW I'm talking about NYPD psych here.

[DeltaV]

Mention it, but I seriously doubt that it will have any effect whatsoever.

[MikeG]

Not a problem unless you were committed or referred to a state service. Police officers are often referred to counselors (i.e. psychologist) to deal with issues they come across so simply seeing a pshychologist would be understandable.

[DeltaV]

Not a problem unless you were committed or referred to a state service. Police officers are often referred to counselors (i.e. psychologist) to deal with issues they come across so simply seeing a pshychologist would be understandable.

That's not necessarily true. With the amount of officers who develop such things as depression or anxiety while on the job, we aren't going to hire someone who has these issues before they're hired. Going to a psychologist at age 10 because mommy thinks you're wild is one thing, being on antidepressants for years is something entirely different.

[counihan]

That's not necessarily true. With the amount of officers who develop such things as depression or anxiety while on the job, we aren't going to hire someone who has these issues before they're hired. Going to a psychologist at age 10 because mommy thinks you're wild is one thing, being on antidepressants for years is something entirely different.

My mommy thought I was wild the moment I left the womb, does that count!?!

[MikeG]

That's not necessarily true. With the amount of officers who develop such things as depression or anxiety while on the job, we aren't going to hire someone who has these issues before they're hired. Going to a psychologist at age 10 because mommy thinks you're wild is one thing, being on antidepressants for years is something entirely different.

Agreed. I was operating under the premise that there was no diagnosis or medication. Simply being referred or seeing a counselor at any age would not be particularly relevant absent a diagnosis requiring medication or a chronic condition. Certainly no department is going to want to hire a problematic recruit especially in times where the talent pool is very large.

At age 10, probably the most relevant issue I would think is whether the child was a danger to themselves or others that required a report as this may come up as an omission in a BI if the applicant can't recall it. Other mandatory reporting would also be something to look for. I presume anything clinical has not manifested itself in adulthood or we would be talking about very recent events. The important thing is resolution prior to adulthood and no criminal activity.

[MikeG]

So I went to my written psych a few days ago. I am not worried about that. I was pretty honest and I'm pretty sure I do not have any personality disorders or tendencies or whatever it is they look for. However, 10 years ago when I was 11, I went to see a psychologist because my mother felt I was too rebellious. Now first of all, I have no idea who this guy is, I definitely cannot remember. My mom does not remember either. Would this be a problem? It was a one time thing by my mothers choice when I was 11 years old and we honestly cannot remember where this guy was or if he's even still there.

BTW I'm talking about NYPD psych here.

Another point, that is just my $0.02 (and worth every penny): When you have the opportunity to describe yourself, words like "rebellious" and "independent" are double-edged swords in organizations such as the military and police. "Taking initiative" and "self-starter" are probably better terms to describe yourself even if they are nuanced. Police departments have policies and procedures that they expect to be followed. Orders are to be obeyed and executed. If they ask if you are independent or rebellious by nature, think long and hard about your answer. They are looking for hardworking, honest and ethical people who will fit into their command structure. "Rogue" cops make excellent movies but lousy coworkers and subordinates.

[mcsap]

So I went to my written psych a few days ago. I am not worried about that. I was pretty honest and I'm pretty sure I do not have any personality disorders or tendencies or whatever it is they look for. However, 10 years ago when I was 11, I went to see a psychologist because my mother felt I was too rebellious. Now first of all, I have no idea who this guy is, I definitely cannot remember. My mom does not remember either. Would this be a problem? It was a one time thing by my mothers choice when I was 11 years old and we honestly cannot remember where this guy was or if he's even still there.

BTW I'm talking about NYPD psych here.

Pretty honest and pretty sure ? Sounds like there is some room for doubt.

[apcc487]

I spoke to my BI and I passed the written without a problem... now my situation begins to get even more complicated.

I kept bugging my mom about this session so she went through her mess of papers in storage... as it turns out this session happened as I described before and we got the paperwork so I can simply go pick up a letter from the doctor if worse comes to worse. But this isn't where the story ends.

As it turns out, when I was 4 or 5 years old, in Pre-School I had an incident where I stabbed a boy with a pencil. Now, this sounds cruel and violent but honestly it was an innocent act. I had a crush on him and he was poking me and pinching me so I took a pencil and began poking him with the eraser as well. For some reason, he began tickling me and I accidently stabbed him with the pencil. The school aparrently felt that I had anger management issues as a 4 year old and made me see a "social worker" for a year. Going through the paperwork for my relatively simple one time visit to a shrink as an 11 year old, this incident comes up.

Now I'm EXTREMELY worried because I didn't even MENTION this in the psych since I honestly had no recollection of it. I know how this can be twisted to mean that I had cruel intentions as a child that can be manifested as an adult bla bla bla bla bllaaaa.. should I just give up hope now and move on with my life or do I still have a chance?

[Roger Dat]

All you can do is disclose it and see what happens.

[daveh8]

I
As it turns out, when I was 4 or 5 years old, in Pre-School I had an incident where I stabbed a boy with a pencil. Now, this sounds cruel and violent but honestly it was an innocent act. I had a crush on him and he was poking me and pinching me so I took a pencil and began poking him with the eraser as well. For some reason, he began tickling me and I accidently stabbed him with the pencil.
Now I'm EXTREMELY worried because I didn't even MENTION this in the psych since I honestly had no recollection of it. I know how this can be twisted to mean that I had cruel intentions as a child that can be manifested as an adult bla bla bla bla bllaaaa.. should I just give up hope now and move on with my life or do I still have a chance?

"give up hope"?? my god. you poked (ok stabbed) another kid with a pencil when you were 4 or 5. mention it to cover yourself but RELAX.....

[mattyboynypd]

is the nypd putting a class in july or what?

[Tghockey11]

i took the written psych today again and the best part of the day was when a girl asked "should i also put down the jobs that i had that were off the books?" the questions some people ask are so funny people

[Ispbear]

Another point, that is just my $0.02 (and worth every penny): When you have the opportunity to describe yourself, words like "rebellious" and "independent" are double-edged swords in organizations such as the military and police. "Taking initiative" and "self-starter" are probably better terms to describe yourself even if they are nuanced. Police departments have policies and procedures that they expect to be followed. Orders are to be obeyed and executed. If they ask if you are independent or rebellious by nature, think long and hard about your answer. They are looking for hardworking, honest and ethical people who will fit into their command structure. "Rogue" cops make excellent movies but lousy coworkers and subordinates.

No offense Mike but if I would rather someone came to me and said that their mother sent them to see a psychiatrist because she thought that they were rebellious at a young age than a bunch of BS that they were a "self-starter or taking initiative." Those type of statements to me show a redirection of the truth and an attempt to cover imperfections. As I was told, "we are not looking for perfect angels but for honest, mature, hard working people."



PS. Apcc487, don't worry about stabbing a kid with a pencil when you were 4 to 5 years old. That is not abnormal behavior for a child that age. Hell, I knocked my older brothers tooth out when I was about 8 years old becuase he was picking on me. Just be honest and you'll be fine.