Background/Polygraph Question

[Kryb]

Hey everyone, I'm brand new to these boards. I'm just about 22 and a Criminal Justice senior in college. I've begun applying to police departments. However, I had a question regarding my background. I've done nothing too serious, occasional underage drink, yadda yadda. The only thing is this:

When I was 19, over the course of six months, 3 separate times, my friends and I went out whacking mailboxes with a baseball bat. We didn't hit too many, definitely less than 10, and we hardly even dented them, none were destroyed. I've looked it up and in my state and most states bordering me, this is a criminal mischief misdemeanor. Naturally, what I did was wrong and immature. But I was wondering if 3 years later, you guys think this would disqualify me on background checks. I talked to a state trooper about this who told me that there's guys at his department with worse incidents than that, but still I worry. What do you guys think? All input is greatly appreciated.

[Kryb]

I'll add that I've never been arrested or convicted of anything in my life. That incident is simply in my opinion the most illegal and irresponsible thing that I've ever done.

[CPL1897]

Ive been tasked with ABI's (Applicant Bacground Investiagtions) numerous times over the last 10 years or so..There are several of us that are tasked with this..We "talk of the record" with eachother about possible issues with applicant's backgrounds AND V.S.A (Voice Stress Anyliser) results..Most departments have transitioned to VSA's becasue they are more accurate and harder to "beat or alter" results..With that said..the NUMBER ONE automatic disqaulification is WITHHOLDING PAST CONDUCT and DISHONESTY (Read the thread on "why honesty is so important")..SO first BE COMPLETELY HONEST about your past (questions vary depending in department). some other disqaulifivations here are NARCOTIC,FELONY,DOMV,DUI, and PERJURY/FRAUD convictions..If I had a ABI and only found the "propert damage/criminal mischief issue I WOULD send the app. through (VSA is after initial ABI).. I cant speak for the agencies you may be applying for, but I dont see it being a "disqualification" here..

MY advice is to be HONEST about your past and see what happens..

[CPL1897]

Sorry about my grammer..On my phone and cant proof-read my posts..Grammer is aslo VERY important in Law Enforcement...You cant always have spell check..LOL

[Kimble]

Sorry about my grammer..On my phone and cant proof-read my posts..Grammer is aslo VERY important in Law Enforcement...You cant always have spell check..LOL

[Kryb]

I was gonna point that out, but didn't wanna be a jerk hahaha. What do you think about the situation Kimble?

[Andrew G.]

For what it's worth, I am somewhat in the same boat you are in. I'm 19yrs., turning 20yrs. this March, currently working on a CJ degree.

While I haven't smashed a mailbox, I admit to having a couple underage drinks in my life (nothing serious, but nevertheless illegal); my record isn't exactly spotless either, so I feel as though I can relate. It would seem the general consensus is that as long as you stay on the straight & narrow, stay focused, and get a little college (or military) experience under your belt, you should be good to go as long as you haven't done anything that would really otherwise disqualify you. That happens to be just what I had picked up from reading on the forums though, so I can't speak with any authority on this matter.

A few of my classmates have fairly... "wild"... aspirations that they hope to meet in life; enlisting with L.E., while at the very same time admitting they outright abuse prescribed medications, drink heavily, engage in less-than-honorable acts, etc.

From what I'm hearing, you aren't THAT bad off. Good luck!