Another one of those questions about Background...

[sethistruckin]

I am a 25 year old male that is interested in joining a LE agency. I live in Southern California so I am interested in LE Agencies within my area (CHP, LASD). I have a generalized question about whether I have a chance at making it through the process/Background Investigation.

The Good:
-Have worked full time for a school district with security duties for 4.5 years straight with great employment reviews
-36 college units with classes like psychology, sociology, public speaking, CPR/First Aid
-Good Credit with no bad marks 700 FICO score
-Clean Driving history no tickets or anything
-No Drug Use ever, not even Marijuana
-Only consumed 3 alcoholic drinks in my entire life, never been drunk

The Bad:
-Stole $20 worth of mechanical pencils when I was 12
-Academic Probation/Dismissal from one college due to poor GPA (have since taken 4 classes at another institution with a average 3.0 GPA)
-Paid for sex in 2006 on one occasion (poor lapse in judgment and I regret it but I made a mistake)

So basically I am concerned with the last item paying for sex in 2006 on one occasion. Do I even have a chance with the CHP or LASD, or is that an automatic disqualifier?

I appreciate any response and thank you in advance...

[GoDirectly2Jail]

The Bad:
-Paid for sex in 2006 on one occasion (poor lapse in judgment and I regret it but I made a mistake)

So basically I am concerned with the last item paying for sex in 2006 on one occasion. Do I even have a chance with the CHP or LASD, or is that an automatic disqualifier?

Paying for sex is an offense of moral turpitude, and would be a disqualifier.

[sethistruckin]

Here is my next question. Is this undetected crime something that will permanently DQ me from most departments? Or would I have a chance later on down the line lets say after 10 years has passed from the date of the crime... And I obtained a bachelors degree and my record is still clean otherwise.

Thank you in advance for the responses

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Here is my next question. Is this undetected crime something that will permanently DQ me from most departments? Or would I have a chance later on down the line lets say after 10 years has passed from the date of the crime... And I obtained a bachelors degree and my record is still clean otherwise.

Thank you in advance for the responses

No amount of education, good deeds, or community service can erase the past. The choices we make in life have permanent consequenses.

[sethistruckin]

I understand that no amount of education or good deeds or community service erases the past. But it does show progress, as well as integrity in your overall development as a person. It is hard to swallow, especially since I never divulged in using controlled substances in my past, or drinking alcohol too much because my mother was killed by a drunk driver and I survived the accident, no traffic tickets, pursuing a higher education, perfect employment history.

The only reason I asked the question was because I have read several other conflicting forum posts about whether or not this is a permanent DQ, as well as other people that have claimed it was not a DQ for them. I just needed to find out so I know if this will ever be a career path for me down the line. I guess the chances are likely that it wont.

I will go ahead and look at other career options now. Thanks for your insight...

[GoDirectly2Jail]

The only reason I asked the question was because I have read several other conflicting forum posts about whether or not this is a permanent DQ, as well as other people that have claimed it was not a DQ for them.

Hmmm, I don't recall ever seeing any posts here of that nature. Maybe it would help if you could you reference some of them for me?

[sethistruckin]

Well, I have seen in the past some posts on different forums that were inconclusive about this. It is always a possibility that the replies were not from an actual LEO or anyone that was in the position to know the DQ criteria. In reality though, it doesn't matter about those posts if I will be DQ either way.

But, just for visual reference, here is a recent post where someone describes this:

realpolice.net/forums/background-checks-hiring-process-46/93138-new-background-questions.html

"While on deployment between 2007 -2008 in the Indian Ocean, I was taken to a bar by several buddies while walking back to our room we were solicited by a prostitute and she ended up undoing my pants and stealing my wallet as I was the most intoxicated out of us. I decided to not report the incident as there was nothing my wallet besides cash and considered it the price to pay for even considering a prostitute."

Now, they did not say whether or not they actually did anything, but by not telling the prostitute he was not interested, and allowing her to unzip his pants (which is a pretty good indication that he wanted to receive some type of service from her), and only back in 2007-08, that seems a little bit sketchy to me (whether she stole his wallet or not, and whether he was drunk or not). But, clearly several posts down a Verified LEO states this:

"Thank you for your service...

I don't think you have any major obstacles, but your behavior does show a certain lack of judgement."

and another post down a Verified LEO says this:

"I'm no hiring expert, but I don't see anything that would make me think you would have any MAJOR trouble."

This was basically the main post on This forum that had me wondering whether I had a chance or not. There may have been a few others but I do not have the time to search through everything again. I am not an expert by any means and just wanted to get some concrete advice on whether or not I will ever have a chance at being a LEO with the CHP or LASD. It seems pretty clear that you believe it is not possible based on my background so I will just save the CHP some trouble and not even apply. Thank you for your help.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

In that case, intent or not, he did not post that he paid for sex and in fact was the victim of a robbery. While you may consider it splitting hairs, if both of you were asked a straight up, "have you ever paid for sex?", he would be able to say 'no' while you would have to say 'yes'.

There is a difference.