Background Quest... Prev Employer Theft

[lunacooper]

Good morning.

I have a question about my background check with a previous employer. About 6 years ago, I was caught doing a false refund (so i had the cash) for about $100. I was terminated, but the company's policy is only to report dates of employment, salary, and last position held. I have no intention of lying on my application to the academy, but don't want to waste my time or the academy's time if this will be an immediate disqualifier. AGAIN, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF OMITTING THIS FROM MY APP, but will it be discovered in a background investigation (knowing the previous employer's policy) and, if so, will this keep me from getting into the academy if I am 100% honest and upfront with this stupid mistake? I am 31 now, so I was like 23 or 24 when this happened...

Thanks in advance for your answers...

[Kimble]

but will it be discovered in a background investigation (knowing the previous employer's policy) and, if so, will this keep me from getting into the academy if I am 100% honest and upfront with this stupid mistake?

Short answer is yes, they can still find it out. Regardless of company policies, you sign a legal waiver for the release of information to your background investigator, and companies are often comfortable talking about that information with a legal waiver. Even if they are not, they can still answer whether you are eligible for rehire or not, which is often all the info we need (and if you didn't state in advance you were fired and for what, you can guarantee a disqualificaiton if it's found you were fired and didn't provide that info on your application).

As to whether it will keep you from being hired, only the department you're applying to can answer that. Stealing $100 from your employer is pretty serious, however, it's been 6 years and if you have demonstrated responsible, honest behavior since then, it will mitigate things. No one here can give you a "yes" or "no" on whether it will keep you from being hired (unless someone here works for that specific agency), but be honest and let the chips fall where they may.

[lunacooper]

Thanks for your quick response. I'm not applying through a department, I'm self-sponsoring my way through the academy. I was wondering if the incident will keep me from getting into the academy.

[Samuel]

Good morning.

I have a question about my background check with a previous employer. About 6 years ago, I was caught doing a false refund (so i had the cash) for about $100. I was terminated, but the company's policy is only to report dates of employment, salary, and last position held. I have no intention of lying on my application to the academy, but don't want to waste my time or the academy's time if this will be an immediate disqualifier. AGAIN, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF OMITTING THIS FROM MY APP, but will it be discovered in a background investigation (knowing the previous employer's policy) and, if so, will this keep me from getting into the academy if I am 100% honest and upfront with this stupid mistake? I am 31 now, so I was like 23 or 24 when this happened...

Thanks in advance for your answers...

If you have no intention of hiding anything, WHY would you need to know if it will be found out or not????????????

IMO, if you truly were going to be honest, you wouldn't need to ask the bolded question...

[lunacooper]

If you have no intention of hiding anything, WHY would you need to know if it will be found out or not????????????

IMO, if you truly were going to be honest, you wouldn't need to ask the bolded question...

AGAIN, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF OMITTING THIS FROM MY APP, but will it be discovered in a background investigation (knowing the previous employer's policy) and, if so, will this keep me from getting into the academy if I am 100% honest and upfront with this stupid mistake? I am 31 now, so I was like 23 or 24 when this happened...

I refer to the bolded sentence that was in the same question... I really just want to know if I will be automatically dq'ed from an academy based on my stupid mistake I made years ago. I have no intention of hiding anything...

[Kimble]

Luna,

With all due respect, I don't see how if you read my previous post how you haven't had your question answered. I'll try to be absolutely crystal clear:

but will it be discovered in a background investigation (knowing the previous employer's policy)

YES! I'm really at a loss of how I can make this any clearer.

and, if so, will this keep me from getting into the academy if I am 100% honest and upfront with this stupid mistake?

Again, we don't work for the academy, or future departments you apply to, so we can't tell you for sure "yes" or "no." Apply and give it your best shot. Like above, I really don't see how anyone can make this any clearer.

[lunacooper]

Luna,

With all due respect, I don't see how if you read my previous post how you haven't had your question answered. I'll try to be absolutely crystal clear:

YES! I'm really at a loss of how I can make this any clearer.



Again, we don't work for the academy, or future departments you apply to, so we can't tell you for sure "yes" or "no." Apply and give it your best shot. Like above, I really don't see how anyone can make this any clearer.

ROS, I appreciate your answer and, yes, I get what you are saying. I just wanted to be clear and answer the person that implied that I was not going to disclose my situation on my application, that's all. And I wasn't sure if the issue would possibly hinder a LEO job, but also admittance to the academy. I completely understand what you said and I appreciate your truthfulness.

[DeltaV]

If you are self sponsoring yourself in the academy, I seriously doubt that what happened will hurt your chances of getting into the academy. Most academies are only concerned with getting your money (at least all the ones I'm familiar with that allow self-sponsorships). Most people who self-sponsor never get hired around here, and it's because of things like this in your background that departments care about but the academy does not.

[lunacooper]

If you are self sponsoring yourself in the academy, I seriously doubt that what happened will hurt your chances of getting into the academy. Most academies are only concerned with getting your money (at least all the ones I'm familiar with that allow self-sponsorships). Most people who self-sponsor never get hired around here, and it's because of things like this in your background that departments care about but the academy does not.

Thank you guys very much for your input. I really appreciate it. I want to be a LEO more than anything in my life, and have for the past several years. I know that I have made mistakes and am not making excuses for them. I will do whatever I have to realize my dream and be a great officer. Be careful out there.