I was a dumb teen, now what?

[D Dog]

Im in North Carolina, just finished college (masters) and am applying to a well known LE Agency. I have a very clean background, only tried marijuana a handful of times over 4-5 years ago, i have great credit history, have passed the written, physical agility, and now im up for the polygraph. Here is the issue: as an early teen, 13 or so I sold a nickel bag once or twice. I am up for a polygraph in a week or so, the application doesnt ask about having been involved in the sale or distribution, so i havent listed anything yet, problem is, it is listed as an automatic disqualifier. What should I do when i go in for my polygraph? Your advice and response is greatly appreciated.

[irishlad2nv]

Originally posted by D Dog
Im in North Carolina, just finished college (masters) and am applying to a well known LE Agency. I have a very clean background, only tried marijuana a handful of times over 4-5 years ago, i have great credit history, have passed the written, physical agility, and now im up for the polygraph. Here is the issue: as an early teen, 13 or so I sold a nickel bag once or twice. I am up for a polygraph in a week or so, the application doesnt ask about having been involved in the sale or distribution, so i havent listed anything yet, problem is, it is listed as an automatic disqualifier. What should I do when i go in for my polygraph? Your advice and response is greatly appreciated.

Call your BI immediately and or a recruiter! If it is a DQ for doing that, well then it seems you may be out of luck. However...call and find out for yourself because they will before the poly even begins. I have sat in on a few polys during the questioning stage and applicants have broke at that point for crimes they committed that they could not list or it was not even asked for on the initial application. However, if it was not in the application, it will be in a background packet, etc...

I would also, attempt to apply to another dept. And also check their DQ's, etc...before you get this far. From your brief history of your background, etc. You seem squared away, so I would recommend applying elsewhere. But if it going to not get you hired for what you did. Look into Parol and Probation, etc. since you have degrees. Hope this helped some.

[Delta784]

Tell the truth, and hope for the best.

[setexas]

We have all done stupid things before. You had a different mindset as a teenager. Tell the truth. As I have said before, some places use the poly to weed out those who they think will not be a good fit at the dept for other reasons than spiking on the poly.

That's why the poly is usually done last. If they just don't like you and have no other reason to bounce you, they will use the poly.

Anyone who has never made a mistake before...especially as a teenager really must have turned out to be some royal a-hole and I would not want to work with them anyway.

If this one dosen't work out, there are also several places that don't poly or check with your 2nd grade teacher to see how you were behaving 30 years ago. You'll do fine.

[D Dog]

Thats what I was thinking, so basically tell them during the prelim questions to the polygraph? I mean geez, I'm not applying to the CIA's counterintel unit, I understand their position, but if I was in theirs I would respect my honesty as well as the fact that I was 13 and otherwise figure that I was an extremely valuable asset to the organization. But what does it mean that it's an "automatic disqualifier"? Thanks for everyone's 2 cents thus far.

[irishlad2nv]

Means that you can not get hired by them.

[D Dog]

Originally posted by irishlad2nv
Means that you can not get hired by them.


Nah, I think that is a little of an overstatement, give me a break, bottom line is this, everyone has done something, I like the words of setexas, they are realistic and sensible.

[irishlad2nv]

Originally posted by D Dog
Nah, I think that is a little of an overstatement, give me a break, bottom line is this, everyone has done something, I like the words of setexas, they are realistic and sensible.

What? Listen I have sat on backgrounds and I have done them. If it is in the Departments list of Disqualifiers, then you can not get hired by them. No if and or but's. They have to stick to their regualtions and you have to understand that even though you were really young, you still commited a crime. They can not have someone working for them that sold drugs. If the department itself is not going off of their own DQ's, then it could be coming from the State itself. I agree with what setexas stated also. But, if its on their DQ list. You will not get hired.

[D Dog]

Originally posted by irishlad2nv
What? Listen I have sat on backgrounds and I have done them. If it is in the Departments list of Disqualifiers, then you can not get hired by them. No if and or but's. They have to stick to their regualtions and you have to understand that even though you were really young, you still commited a crime. They can not have someone working for them that sold drugs. If the department itself is not going off of their own DQ's, then it could be coming from the State itself. I agree with what setexas stated also. But, if its on their DQ list. You will not get hired.

so then admit before poly or take poly and hope for the best?

[irishlad2nv]

Yes...I would not even go as far as taking the Polygraph! Call your BI immediately like I stated. If you hide this and even if you would get hired and they find out later...you are screwed. If you do not call your BI, tell the polygprapher immediately when you are there.

[BrickCop]

Originally posted by irishlad2nv
Yes...I would not even go as far as taking the Polygraph! Call your BI immediately like I stated. If you hide this and even if you would get hired and they find out later...you are screwed. If you do not call your BI, tell the polygprapher immediately when you are there.

I cocur but have a question. Were you arrested for this or are you disclosing this info only for the poly?:confused: Assuming that it's not an automatic DQ they may take into account your age at the time
and the circumstances.

As irish stated your best bet is to speak with your BI about it.

[D Dog]

Originally posted by BRICKCOP
I cocur but have a question. Were you arrested for this or are you disclosing this info only for the poly?:confused: Assuming that it's not an automatic DQ they may take into account your age at the time
and the circumstances.

As irish stated your best bet is to speak with your BI about it.


Never arrested, disclosing only for the poly. It is listed as an automatic disqualifier.

[code3_K9]

start applying else where...

[Who cares !]

Tell the truth and hope for the best but expect the worst. Good luck to ya.

[co911]

"problem is, it is listed as an automatic disqualifier"

You have stated it twice yourself, it is an automatic DQ. The polygrapher and BI WILL uncover it so why bother? You think they care that you have an education? They want common sense and maturity not letters after a name. Watch and learn.

[D Dog]

Yea good points, oh well, it wasnt my top choice anyway...and I'm getting recruited by another department, its just much larger, so we will see, thing is (unlike many of the old schoolers understand here) they are all over us at the college campuses, recruiting much like military recruiters, but others on this board seem to think that admin. in departments don't care. Thanks for those that contributed constructive advice!!