JakeK
08-11-2004, 03:11 AM
I am currently applying for an entry-level position with various local agencies in the Seattle area. While my friends who are police officers have given me a wealth of advice about this, I am still looking for more input. The more feedback, the better a decision, I think. Yes, I could always call the recruiters for these agencies and ask them, but I know they will give me the standard responses (that, and their web sites pretty much have it all). I need to get some experienced-based, no BS answers from people who may have been there and know. If you are in the Seattle area, all the better.
Most of the hiring process I am familiar with. My friend has been on both sides of the oral boards, and oddly enough, that is the part of the hiring process I am most comfortable with. I am confident that I can convince them that I am a responsible person who is quick thinking, has high work ethics, very decisive, etc. My main concerns are regarding the other aspects of the process.
The physical exams don't scare me too much. I know I have the potential to do those with no problem. I'm working out, and concentrating on the needed areas (and hopefully build this 6'4" 200 lbs. body into something). The background investigation and the polygraph worry me a bit, and I'm sure that the psychological evaluation worries everyone.
When I was 17 & 18 years old, I "experimented" with drugs much like many people have at that age. I smoked marijuana a few times, and tried speed (snorting it). I know that there are drugs requirements for the police department, and I am not one to lie about what I did. What worries me is that they will judge the 17 & 18 year old me for who I am now and who I will develop into. That is the main reason I am worried. I also don't trust polygraphs very much, and would hate for an electronic device that is great for monitoring medical concerns to determine if I am able to start the path of my dreams or not.
The BI is going to be easy as far as personal references go: there are not many people in my life. My mother passed away in April, and the only ones I hold dear to me are my best friend and my grandmother. I am putting someone I used to work with down who is now a federal officer, and his boss who was my neighbor. I know that the detectives will most likely ask them for contact info of others I spend time with, but that will be pointless because there is noone besides those I work with.
Which brings me to another few questions about concerns I have for the BI. The first is I know that certain departments have a limit to how many times you can be fired from previous jobs, most often twice. I have been terminated twice. The first was planned by the comapany, and unlawful. I have a police report documenting that I was the only person working at the store one night at 1am when we were robbed when I was 17. They wanted to make sure I didn't sue, because I was also off the clock like my boss told me to be, and set me up for something that I had proof I didn't do. The second time was with a company who misconstrued an event and did not investigate. I have references from both these employers who are on my side and willing to provide positive references for me, if the BI even goes back that far.
The second one is regarding my credit. In April, my mother passed away, which was a huge financial burden. Three weeks later a minor in the apartment right above me came home from a bar drunk, decided to cook, the fell asleep with the stove on, which burned the entire building down. I wasn't insured, and was already having money issues from the death. For a month and a half I was having to either stay with friends or pay for hotels. This put me under even more, and flashing forward to now, I have some past due accounts. I have been in contact with the creditors, and have been making partial payments, but some services have closed my accounts for not being paid in full. Someone at Seattle PD in Recruiting said this would have little effect on me unless the accounts have been delinquent for long periods of time with no payments.
Okay, that is it for now. :-) Any input or suggestions you may have would be fantastic. This is a career that I really want, and feel I'm meant for (all the cops I know too are saying that it's almost as if it's in my blood). Thanks in advance!
Most of the hiring process I am familiar with. My friend has been on both sides of the oral boards, and oddly enough, that is the part of the hiring process I am most comfortable with. I am confident that I can convince them that I am a responsible person who is quick thinking, has high work ethics, very decisive, etc. My main concerns are regarding the other aspects of the process.
The physical exams don't scare me too much. I know I have the potential to do those with no problem. I'm working out, and concentrating on the needed areas (and hopefully build this 6'4" 200 lbs. body into something). The background investigation and the polygraph worry me a bit, and I'm sure that the psychological evaluation worries everyone.
When I was 17 & 18 years old, I "experimented" with drugs much like many people have at that age. I smoked marijuana a few times, and tried speed (snorting it). I know that there are drugs requirements for the police department, and I am not one to lie about what I did. What worries me is that they will judge the 17 & 18 year old me for who I am now and who I will develop into. That is the main reason I am worried. I also don't trust polygraphs very much, and would hate for an electronic device that is great for monitoring medical concerns to determine if I am able to start the path of my dreams or not.
The BI is going to be easy as far as personal references go: there are not many people in my life. My mother passed away in April, and the only ones I hold dear to me are my best friend and my grandmother. I am putting someone I used to work with down who is now a federal officer, and his boss who was my neighbor. I know that the detectives will most likely ask them for contact info of others I spend time with, but that will be pointless because there is noone besides those I work with.
Which brings me to another few questions about concerns I have for the BI. The first is I know that certain departments have a limit to how many times you can be fired from previous jobs, most often twice. I have been terminated twice. The first was planned by the comapany, and unlawful. I have a police report documenting that I was the only person working at the store one night at 1am when we were robbed when I was 17. They wanted to make sure I didn't sue, because I was also off the clock like my boss told me to be, and set me up for something that I had proof I didn't do. The second time was with a company who misconstrued an event and did not investigate. I have references from both these employers who are on my side and willing to provide positive references for me, if the BI even goes back that far.
The second one is regarding my credit. In April, my mother passed away, which was a huge financial burden. Three weeks later a minor in the apartment right above me came home from a bar drunk, decided to cook, the fell asleep with the stove on, which burned the entire building down. I wasn't insured, and was already having money issues from the death. For a month and a half I was having to either stay with friends or pay for hotels. This put me under even more, and flashing forward to now, I have some past due accounts. I have been in contact with the creditors, and have been making partial payments, but some services have closed my accounts for not being paid in full. Someone at Seattle PD in Recruiting said this would have little effect on me unless the accounts have been delinquent for long periods of time with no payments.
Okay, that is it for now. :-) Any input or suggestions you may have would be fantastic. This is a career that I really want, and feel I'm meant for (all the cops I know too are saying that it's almost as if it's in my blood). Thanks in advance!