Hey Everyone!

[Itchy]

After reading a few threads as a 'guest' I've decided to join and ask a few questions, get a few opinions, nothing huge or complicated. Don't worry I won't be asking silly questions about my background or anything like that.

My background is pretty simple. It's not perfect but it's simple. I'll list it briefly so everyone can get a base off of me:

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 job 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.
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.

So anyways, that's a bit about me. BTW I picked the user name "itchy" because ever since I went on my first ride-a-long to see if cop work was the thing for me I haven't been able to stop thinking about it so I always say, "I've got the itch." Just in case anyone was wondering. lol

[marinepilot]

Itchy, Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle! Thanks for finally joining our little home here on the internet, and thanks also for the intro. Sounds like you've got a solid plan there and we'd all be interested in you sticking around and telling us how it turns out!

[Itchy]

Itchy, Welcome to RP from the Florida Panhandle! Thanks for finally joining our little home here on the internet, and thanks also for the intro. Sounds like you've got a solid plan there and we'd all be interested in you sticking around and telling us how it turns out!

Thank for the Welcome! I hope Florida is sunny as ever down there.

I'll definitely be sticking around and keeping you guys posted on how this all works out for me.

[pac201]

Welcome aboard.

[Itchy]

Thanks.

[mcsap]

The only thing that concerns me about you is your hearing. You should try to find out what a local dept uses for a standard and than go get a PROFESSIONAL hearing test done with the results that you can carry away with you. Then you will KNOW for sure where you stand.

It doesn't matter if you think your hearing is OK , it's what a prospective PD and their doctor thinks.

[Itchy]

The only thing that concerns me about you is your hearing. You should try to find out what a local dept uses for a standard and than go get a PROFESSIONAL hearing test done with the results that you can carry away with you. Then you will KNOW for sure where you stand.

It doesn't matter if you think your hearing is OK , it's what a prospective PD and their doctor thinks.

Yeah...this has been a concern of mine as well.

Last week I had a hearing test done by an audiologist. Overall my hearing is normal but there's an issue with my left ear that concerned the audiologist. She said there might be some fluid or something like that in my ear. I'm seeing an ENT in April to see what's going on. Honestly, it's nothing new for me. I have a long history of fluid in the ears and ear infections.

I do have a hearing loss but it's 'minor' according to the audiologist. I asked her if I would pass a police eval (since she said she's tested police applicants before) and she said my right ear wouldn't be an issue but my left ear would probably not pass but she added that if the ENT figured out what was wrong it would restore my hearing in that ear to an acceptable level for the eval. and have it be acceptable for police work. I don't personally notice an issue with my hearing on a day-to-day basis and I never miss anything or have problems locating sounds but, test results are test results so I'm taking the initiative to find out what's wrong and fix it.