So Here's my story

[Itchy]

Don't worry. I'm not wondering if anything is going to DQ me or not. I posted this in my intro but I figured posting it in this part of the forum would get a little more attention since the New Members section doesn't get a whole lot of traffic.

So here's a glimpse on me and what I'm planning. Let me know your thoughts and throw out some suggestions. I want to do this right so I'm open to any and all comments or opinions.

The bad things:

1. I smoked marijuana 5 separate times in 2003 and during those times I only two 1-2 drags off of a joint. :( Not good I know, I was a young and cocky 18 year old who thought he knew everything. I haven't done any of that since then.
2. My job history isn't spectacular. I've been at my current job for almost 3 years but, all of my jobs before then were on average less than a year. I have reasons for all of the jobs but the fact still remains. :/ I plan on staying at my current job until I get a job as an officer so hopefully that will show I've changed my attitude and have more integrity for work.
3. I took $10 out of my mom's purse when I was 15 without asking....she caught me doing it and I got grounded...lol. I haven't stolen anything else aside from that.
4. I've had a long history of ear problems. My hearing is OK and I'll be put through the paces to make sure I'm OK to work as a cop according to POST guidelines but my ear history still is not great. I had a professional hearing test done last week and the doc thinks there's something wrong with my left ear, like fluid inside or something. If they figure that out then all should be well with my hearing according to the audiologist.
5. My last motor vehicle accident was in 2010. It was ruled 0% my fault. Another motorist cut me off while I was riding my motorcycle and I laid the bike down to avoid the collision. Before that accident (I'll have to double check to be sure of this) was in 2004. That one was ruled 75% my fault. Before THAT accident I believe I had an accident in 2002 and I rear ended someone so that was my fault.
6. My last speeding ticket was in 2003. I got caught in a speed trap and missed the new speed limit sign. The speed limit changed from 70 to 45 0.o. I got clocked going 70.....:/ The cop was cool about it and told me he catches people all the time there. I haven't had any traffic violations or parking violations since that ticket. Before that ticket I believe I got a speeding ticket for going 45 in a 35 in 2002.


As for good things, I guess having an A.A. degree is a good thing but outside of that I'm just a normal average guy who wants to become a cop. I don't have a lot to offer as for experience or knowledge of police work so I'm taking steps to make myself a more desirable candidate.

Here's my 'plan' for myself to become a better candidate, if you have any suggestions about this plan please tell me what you think:

For the rest of this year I'm just training physically. In Jan. 2012 I plan to attend the POST apporved Modular Academy as a Non-Affiliate and go through the subsequent levels, L3, L2 and L1. During the academy I plan to get into a reserve program after completing the L3 mod and using the reserve program to get my name out there and build some experience and reputation amongst other officer and agencies. I know that's a lot to take on and have a part-time job on the side while doing all of that but, I feel this is what I have to do to prove myself worthy for this job.

[Itchy]

lol I guess it doesn't get much more attention here.

[L-1]

You want a little attention? Not a problem. Where should I begin?

I smoked marijuana 5 separate times in 2003 and during those times I only two 1-2 drags off of a joint. :( Not good I know, I was a young and cocky 18 year old who thought he knew everything. I haven't done any of that since then.

Bear in mind that you will be competing against candidates that have never used.

My job history isn't spectacular......all of my jobs before then were on average less than a year. I have reasons for all of the jobs.............

I have reasons for all of the jobs? What does that mean? Not even a burglar could have said that better. Try blowing your BI off with a statement like that and you can expect an instant DQ,

I took $10 out of my mom's purse when I was 15 without asking....she caught me doing it and I got grounded...lol. I haven't stolen anything else aside from that.

In and of itself this is not an issue. However, in combination with other things it could be problematic.

I've had a long history of ear problems. My hearing is OK and I'll be put through the paces to make sure I'm OK to work as a cop according to POST guidelines but my ear history still is not great. I had a professional hearing test done last week and the doc thinks there's something wrong with my left ear, like fluid inside or something. If they figure that out then all should be well with my hearing according to the audiologist.

Do you even know what the POST guidelines are? They are not as simple as you think. Here's what they are for my state. http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/Hearing.pdf The standards are fairly common for most states, Take a look and ask yourself if your doctor ever tested you to these standards.

Before that accident (I'll have to double check to be sure of this) was in 2004. That one was ruled 75% my fault. Before THAT accident I believe I had an accident in 2002 and I rear ended someone so that was my fault. My last speeding ticket was in 2003. I got caught in a speed trap and missed the new speed limit sign. The speed limit changed from 70 to 45 0.o. I got clocked going 70.....:

Two at fault accidents, one cite for 25 over the limit, difficulty accepting responsibility for a traffic violation, referring to the enforcement action as a "Speed Trap."


************************************************** ********

OK,let's recap.

1. Prior dope use.

2. Unable or unwilling to provide satisfactory explanation for an unstable job history.

3. Prior theft from family member.

4. Possible medical DQ for ongoing hearing problem.

5. Two preventable accidents, one cite for excessive speed, unwilling to accept responsibility for speed citation.

Don't worry. I'm not wondering if anything is going to DQ me or not.

Perhaps you should start wondering.


At this point you are no doubt asking why I am getting on your case, In law enforcement, words, wording and phrasing mean everything. You may not realize it, but the tone of your two posts reek of attitude. They create the impression that you are impatient, have no idea as to what is we consider to be important and that you take little seriously. That is the last thing anyone wants in a law enforcement candidate. If I have misread you then I apologize. However, that is how your posts comes off to me. Perhaps others will chime in with more helpful feedback

Greg - perhaps you can add some wisdom here.

[Itchy]

Do you even know what the POST guidelines are? They are not as simple as you think. Here's what they are for my state. The standards are fairly common for most states, Take a look and ask yourself if your doctor ever tested you to these standards.

Yes I've read throught the guidelines quite a few times. It's why I said I would be put through the paces and extended testing because of my ear history. And these standards were discussed with my audiologist last week when I had the test done.

Two at fault accidents, one cite for 25 over the limit, difficulty accepting responsibility for a traffic violation, referring to the enforcement action as a "Speed Trap."

I don't have a problem accepting responsibility. I did it and I know I did I missed the sign totally, my fault. The cop that pulled me over referred to it as a speed trap and that's why he was where he was on the side of the road. To catch people like me that missed the speed limit change. I admitted guilt and paid the fine as soon as I got the notice in the mail. My two accidents were unfortunate but I was also much more inexperienced behind the wheel then.

OK,let's recap.

1. Prior dope use.

2. Unable or unwilling to provide satisfactory explanation for an unstable job history.

3. Prior theft from family member. I didn't get away with it though. She caught me in the act and I returned the money to her immediately. I attempted to steal it but I didn't get away with it.

4. Possible medical DQ for ongoing hearing problem. Yes, I am seeing doctors right now to find out what's wrong. I was told there is something wrong with my left ear.

5. Two preventable accidents, one cite for excessive speed, unwilling to accept responsibility for speed citation. Yes, ALL accidents are preventable but that's why they're called accidents. They happen. I'm not lightening my fault in the accidents but they happened on accident. And I stated this above but I accepted full responsibility for that ticket and every ticket that I've received.

Perhaps you should start wondering.


At this point you are no doubt asking why I am getting on your case, In law enforcement, words, wording and phrasing mean everything. You may not realize it, but the tone of your two posts reek of attitude. They create the impression that you are impatient, have no idea as to what is we consider to be important and that you take little seriously. That is the last thing anyone wants in a law enforcement candidate. If I have misread you then I apologize. However, that is how your posts comes off to me. Perhaps others will chime in with more helpful feedback

Greg - perhaps you can add some wisdom here.

I'm sorry you thought I came off as a knucklehead that didn't want to accept responsibility for his actions and was looking for some kind a reassuring word from another officer telling me it will all be OK. I know that I'm not the best candidate that an LEA is going to see and I know my history doesn't reflect someone that has wanted to be a cop. But to explain myself, for what it's worth, I didn't really expose myself to cop work until I was 21. I thought about it here and there before then but never seriously looked into it. When I decided to seriously take a look into cop work at 21 I went on my first ride along, I was instantly hooked to every aspect and realized right then at 21, that this was what I had been missing. This was what that 'empty' spot in the back of my head was. I know there's no glamour in cop work, I know that it's a thankless job and that it's the most stressful position out there next to being in the military and so on. I 'know' all these things and even though I haven't experienced them first hand, I know for a fact I won't skip a beat when I do. I know the job will change my outlook on things and change who I am but IMO that's how life is and I welcome it.

Again, L-1, I really am sorry I came off the way I did to you and anyone else that may have thought that. That wasn't how I felt at all when I typed this. I try to be a pretty positive person and that's hard to type that out without sounding like a complete moron. I'm glad, L-1, that you laid it out and smacked it across my face. Even though I'm completely on board with what you say in entirety, I know I have a difficult road ahead of me with my background and medical issues. But I hope, and it's all i can do, that if I prove myself enough and get passed all the tests, that someone will see my drive and will for this job and give me a chance.

[Itchy]

So here's another little question. Let's say the doc figures out the issue with my ear and all is well (my appt. is april 21st so I don't know the anser to that yet).

How will I measure up to my competition for the job?

I know my background isn't picutre perfect and there's going to be candidates that have none of the issues that I have, but what if I really show the hiring panel and LEA that my background isn't who I am anymore and I hold myself to a high regard and expect a lot from myself and require myself to have a high level of integrity and respect for authority and the law?

[ET109]

Two at fault accidents, one cite for 25 over the limit, difficulty accepting responsibility for a traffic violation, referring to the enforcement action as a "Speed Trap."

...and even the third accident is kinda hinky. From a motorcyclist's perspective, "laying down the bike to avoid an accident" isn't avoiding the accident- it's faulty braking. You stop faster on modern rubber with disc brakes than you do on chrome and plastic. Don't get me wrong, I've gotten cut off and low-sided- but I know I shouldn't have had to if I'd braked better