Suprise...Another Nervous Applicant - B.I.

[1PoliceHopeful]

i ran across this website since recently applying for a police agency for entry level police officer.

I fully understand that everything needs to be disclosed in regards to my background. I spent thoughtful hours filling out paperwork and preparing myself for applying. There are a few blemishes on my record and wanted an honest opinion from some of you who know about the process....especially if anyone is or has been a B.I.

So here it all is:

1) I was detained as a freshman in college for being intoxicated and inside the female dormitory after hours. The college put me on probation and no action was taken by the campus police.

2) I was arrested for suspicion of DUI. The charge was dismissed and I was cited only for running a stop sign.

3) I was cited for having an open container in an unsanctioned area. (I was at a lake on July 4th watching a firework show. I left the dock to get a jacket out of the car and was stopped once I stepped foot onto the parking lot. I was not intoxicated or acting belligerent in any shape, fashion or form.)

Number 4 is what worries me the most. The above mentioned was fully disclosed on my application. At the time of handing over my application, I did not divulge the below information. reason being, no actions were taken against me. No charge, no appearences, no convictions, etc....just a report was taken. After submitting my application I have been further researching and realize that I need to inform my BI of this. I will explain the situation as soon as I am assigned an investigator. Below is what happened.

When I was in college an ex-girlfriend filed a report against me. Basically, I went to her apartment unannounced and uninvited. We got into a verbal argument. I left and did not return. there was absolutely no physical confrontation.

Will this automatically DQ me now, and if so, will I ever have a chance in the future if I keep applying. I have passed all portions of the process.....written, physical, and oral board.

Thanks in advance for your comments and/or suggestions.

[Cat_Doc]

Were you intoxicated when you trespassed into the female's apartment?

[Citicop]

Whether or not #4 counts against you will entirely depend on what the police report says. Ｉwould call my BI and tell him sooner rather than later if I were you.

#4 aside, Numbers one-three show a continuing pattern of problems with alcohol. You may need five years or so between you and the last incident before you will have a decent shot at competing for an open Law Enforcement position.

-Citicop.

[1PoliceHopeful]

No, there was not alcohol involved.

[1PoliceHopeful]

Whether or not #4 counts against you will entirely depend on what the police report says. Ｉwould call my BI and tell him sooner rather than later if I were you.

#4 aside, Numbers one-three show a continuing pattern of problems with alcohol. You may need five years or so between you and the last incident before you will have a decent shot at competing for an open Law Enforcement position.

-Citicop.

i am currently 26...number one was 8 years ago in 2002, number 2 was 5 years ago in 2005, number three was 2 years ago

[viperphi]

See, that shows a continuing course of conduct. Those are no good when they involve a pattern of alcohol related incidents. Like I've said before, when background investigators and chiefs look a you, they imagine what headlines you could produce in the future based on your past. Are they going to be good headlines about you saving babies and helping old people cross the street? Or are they going to be about an officer nabbed for OVI and also charged with a felony because the trooper found his duty weapon in the glove box during the tow inventory (true story)?

Quit the boozing if it gets you in trouble. Drink water. It's cheaper.

I'll quit after I get through with the beer tour I'm doing... And have sampled every beer known to man. But I don't go to the women's dorms when I drink. I fall asleep and disappoint my girlfriend. It's a brutal cycle.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

i am currently 26...number one was 8 years ago in 2002, number 2 was 5 years ago in 2005, number three was 2 years ago

There is a truism in law enforcement hiring that says, "the past is the best predictor of future behavior."

Judging by YOUR past, your background investigator will be thinking that every three years or so, you get into some kind of alcohol-related trouble, and your next one should be about a year from now.

[ChevySSP]

But I don't go to the women's dorms when I drink. I fall asleep and disappoint my girlfriend. It's a brutal cycle.

You just have to love cops. So brutaly honest.


To the OP, lay off the booze. Down here a guy from the class before mine got drunk and crashed headlong into anothe vehicle causing a pile-up. He is now charged with intoxicated Assault and is almost assured of getting a nice pink slip.

[1PoliceHopeful]

Honesty, brutal or not, is fine....i wont take it personally.

[pac201]

Honesty, brutal or not, is fine....i wont take it personally.

well I don't know why not!!!

Every other person that comes on here gets their shorts in a knot because they don't get a sugarcoated answer that tells them the stupid things that they did is going to bite them...

Good Luck btw, a few years between your last encounter with nothing new to scrutinize will certainly help.

[1PoliceHopeful]

Pac....thanks.

I dont know why someone would. i certainly know that I am no saint and like many, I have a less than perfect history. I learned from mine. I didnt expect anything sugarcoated. I just wanted honest opinions on my overall question....will i EVER have a descent chance in the future!? I already know now that I can pass the tests.....will my record ever be acceptable to gain entry to any agency?

[Citicop]

Time is your friend. The more distance you put between yourself and your past decisions the better you will be. Staying out of trouble will be good, so will learning a new language, getting military epxperience, or other pluses to overcome the negatives in your past...

-Citicop.