I’m a 29M interested in getting into the field, but I’ve had little luck so far. I’m unsure if applying to anymore at this point would be more helpful or hurtful. Your insight is appreciated.
For context: Right out of college, I applied to 10–15 (thought the best route was to cast a wide net), but was DQ’d from all for MJ use about 2 years prior. Decided to put time/distance between the whole experience and got a job in private security in the meantime. Started applying again last year, and the first department I applied to, I got through every step but fell short on the psych (I know where I messed up, misarticulated circumstances). I was encouraged to keep applying.
I’m at 6 more applications over the last year, and haven’t gotten past the PHS pre-interview. My driving record is clean, my drug-use is clean for 9+ years, my credit is great, I stay at a distance from problematic family members, and I’ve been honest about things have I’ve never been caught for, such as being intoxicated in public on 1 occasion over 4 years ago, driving after drinking on 4 occasions with the last over 6 years ago, etc.. I’m able to pass the physicals easily and I have scored top 10 on writtens, so those aren’t an issue. I’m left to assume that my background doesn’t have enough time from those poor decisions, or these departments are looking for someone with experience I don’t have, like military background.
Obviously I would like to have been hired already, but I am grateful for the opportunities to better prepare myself for the career. I am curious, from those of you on the inside already, how many apps did it take for you? What was in your background that kept you from moving ahead in some processes?
Comments
Not in LE, so I can not assist you.
But, can you elaborate on your mistakes in the psych?
Something must be up if you passed almost everything and still not hired.
Top 10 written, physically fit, no criminal history, good credit, etc., should get a good look at many locations. I am wondering what in the background of psychological is the holdup.
I am no help in the number of applications though. I was hired 41 years ago (retired 4 years) and only put in one application. I got two other job offers including one offer of conditional employment where I never put in an application.
Took me 15+ after going to multiple tests with hundreds of applicants for 1-2 spots open. By me, no one wants job anymore so it’s not difficult.
Keep trying. Maybe try other locations or counties a little farther away from your current residence. May suck to drive that far but it may get you in the door.
Try other states
Hole in one.
1
10 over 13 months. Being in my 50’s, I suspect my age was a big factor. 75th percentile for PAT, 92 for written, BS degree, army veteran (waaaay back). Tried cocaine once back in college, marijuana occasionally up until a couple years ago.
I felt like I interviewed well but never got past the oral board, non-selected. I felt like my age was an issue. I finally decided to address my age in a couple of the later interviews (talked about my physical conditioning without sounding too pompous, my goal to work 8-10 years and retire, etc) and that got me pursued by two agencies. I withdrew from one and I start the academy for an awesome agency next month. Don’t give up if you really want it.
It took me 7 interviews to get hired. The misarticulation on the poly may be a factor. If you can, go back to the agencies you DQ’ed and ask them why you didn’t get hired. Some places may tell you, some not.
About 8 applications over 10 years. Clean background. College degree. Passed all the tests, just didn’t fit in anywhere I guess.
Twelve years on the job now.
6
1 agency. Got in second try.
Zero. They called me with an offer.
I filled out a bunch, but the one I accepted was my second, and I turned down my first.
I’ve heard that applying to too many all at once can have a bad look as a desperate candidate, I know it sounds dumb since the private sector doesn’t work like that but for Police it makes sense. They don’t want some guy who is just trying to get in anywhere, they want someone who wants to work at their specific department, know what I mean?
I was an avid reader as a kid and was pretty smart, but I went to a shitty high school on the south side of Chicago. I was missing 3 credits come graduation time and knew I had to get away from my friends who were not on a good path in life. I thought police work would be a challenging career so I enlisted in the Army with a guaranteed MOS of Military Police. Went thru basic, then MP School and while there, took the GED and easily passed, and was sent to Europe where we did both post security and town patrol. During my tour I took evening classes to earn the three missing credits and then got a regular diploma from the military high school for dependent children, and then took college courses related to law enforcement. No degree though. About 6 months before my tour was up I applied for three police departments via mailed in applications. Got out, moved back home with my parents and was called by my preferred department after about 5 months and started the testing process. As part of the process after the written test, I had an oral interview and showed up in dress slacks and a dress shirt, while everyone else was wearing suits. I thought to myself that I fucked up big time, and the first thing the interviewers asked was why I wasn’t wearing a suit. I explained that I had recently got out of the military and didn’t own a suit. That lead to them asking about my military experience and we talked about working patrol duties in Europe, bar fights, directing traffic, etc. The interview went well, most likely because a lot of the officers were military veterans back then. About a year later I got a call to report to the academy, graduated, worked for over 27 years with two promotions and retired in 2005. I would do it all over again.
State?
7, not including the place i applied to twice, last one was my hail mary and got it, 5 years later
Applied to four, but only followed through on two. Failed my poly for first agency. Passed poly for second agency about 6 months later.
Before I got hired:
After all of the above happened I stopped putting in as much effort since I figured if no one would hire me when I had my academy already completed, that I was just wasting my time. I just kept taking the civil service tests to stay on the eligibility lists and mailing the canvass letters back that I received, I stopped directly reaching out to apply with agencies. Then a little over a year after I completed my academy I saw a listing on Indeed and applied, got interviewed, then three months later I received a random phone call from the chief telling me a date and time to go to do my psych eval, and after passing that I was officially hired. Prior to doing the psych eval (between the phone call and the date and time of the eval) he had me fitted for body armor so I am sure I was hired and it was mostly him checking some required boxes.
EDIT: It may be helpful to include that my experience will probably differ from most because while under the age of 18 I strayed off-path a bit and received a youthful offender adjudication for a felony and a couple misdemeanors. I had years between that and when I got hired and in those years I didn’t reoffend and I went back to school to go into healthcare.
Local sheriffs office didn’t hire me neither did 6 different probation offices. I now work for BOp
18 over 1.5 years
I never understand how other states make it so hard to become a cop. Here in GA you apply to a department and go to the academy no problem. Very rare do you have to apply to more than 1 or 2 departments.
1 agency, 1 application.