I’m currently in the application process with my county’s sherrif office. The ORPAT and POST were no problem and I’m now waiting to do the in person interview this week with the board. I have a clean record, good references, and am very confident that I would be a great fit for the position. I only have one concern.
Several years ago my mother and I reported my father to the police for sexual crimes against my siblings. He was convicted and is currently serving time, hopefully for the rest of his life. Really it was that whole experience that made me want to pursue something with law enforcement.
Now I’m not asking if I should hide or lie about it, obviously that wouldn’t make sense. But I’m wondering if I should bring it up in the interview or not? I don’t want it to look like I was hiding it if it comes up during the background investigation, but I also don’t want to shoot myself in the foot by bringing it up in the interview if it doesn’t matter.
Obviously if they ask about my parents at all, I have no problem talking about the whole situation.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Comments
From what I was told by HR and admins is that if they don’t ask don’t tell. But that’s what I’ve been told though.
Don’t volunteer the information unless they ask about. If you make it to the background stage, your background investigator will figure it out from the lengthy questionnaire that you’ll complete. They will ask about it then. Here’s where it’s important to be honest. I worked with officers whose fathers have done prison time. Wasn’t held against them.