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Originally posted by Fostang:
The background process is very extensive.

I am going through it right now.

Be fearful of whatever you did way back into junior high. How many times you got suspended and for what etc etc.

Tickets all kinds and how long ago. They will talk to your neighbors, friends, and family.

I knew this was what I wanted to do since young therefore I strived to keep my nose clean.

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I would generally agree. Some departments are more thorough than others, however. I went on ride-alongs with two different agencies here over Christmas Break from the Academy. One local department will make a special effort to make personal contact with all friends, neighbors, relatives, and roommates. I spoke with a couple of deputies at another department, and they stated that the background for a couple of recent candidates took approximately one week. (I was surprised at that...but one of the deputies was a new hire who just went through the process and the other deputy had 16 years experience.)

Overall, CHP is a good department. Kinda tough to get on and a rigorous academy. However, CHP officers have a good retirement package. I believe it is something like 3% at 50.

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Originally posted by Joooestang66:
During my CHP QAP I told them I smoked weed three times in highschool, to that day it was like 4 years in the past. Then they asked me.... How frequently, did I enjoy it, does any of my family smoke, do any of my friends, do I have access to it, whats my opinion on it, if I were to go to a party and it was present what would I do? Went on for 5 or so min. on it.

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That's the typical reponse/routine questioning you will get from a GOOD background investigator. Not only for drug usage, but from EVERY ASPECT of your life that they feel needs to be addressed. Be prepared to have your life dissected from when you were young to the present.

For instance: why you decided to withdraw from certain classes in school; why you decided to receive "F's" instead of withdraw from school; why you have x-amount of debt, why you were suspended in 6th grade. More importantly, what you learned from your negative experiences and/or mistakes.

My recommendations for anyone wishing to get in law enforcement or firefighting:

-Get a degree, doesn't matter what it's in, just finish something. Of course Criminal/Administration of Justice is the preferred degree for law enforcement, but departments nowadays are looking for a variety of backgrounds with a variety of skills. There are plenty officers and new hires without degrees, but a degree will put you further ahead of those with the same qualifications. FYI a chief of a BIG city in the South Bay majored in English.

-Military is a big plus, but don't sign up for the Navy and try to join the SEALs just because you think a PD will hire you down the road. Do it because it's truly what you want. You can get on a department with other accomplishments.

-Work Experience: Get a job, keep it for a substantial amount of time, perform well, do what you are asked, be professional with EVERYONE. And NO, you can't tell customers to "get the F*(& out of your store" , don't ask me how I know .

-Being a minority also helps, but if you are caucasian, learning a second language will get you almost the same type of "points".

-Make sure your interactions with law enforcement personnel from here on out is only positive. Don't put yourself in situations that will jeopardize your career. A department is taking a chance by hiring you ... do you think they want to take that chance if what you do in your free time could potentially cost them millions of dollars in liability down the road?

-Credit: pay all of your bills on time. Try to limit your amount of unsecured debt. Spend/save your money responsibly, it reflects on your maturity.

-Know who you are, what you have done to prepare yourself for that career, what your good AND BAD qualities are.

Getting hired and sent through an academy is possible but definately tough. If you are having trouble finding a job and LE work is something you really want to do, put yourself through, you will get hired twice as fast. However, it is 6 months without a paycheck. A lot of debt with credit cards could be ok in their eyes if you used it to support yourself while putting yourself through an academy . But not buying blowers, wheels, exhausts for your car if you can't get hired or don't have the funds.

Take everything I said with a grain of salt. It's just my humble opinion, it may or may not make sense to anyone.

Good Luck!

[ January 04, 2006, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: 98Snake ]

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Originally posted by 9Roush8:
My instructor tells us... "The more baggage you have the tougher it is to get hired." Obviously any negative contact with LE such as getting arrested for domestic violence, dui, major drug use, etc will usually disqualify you. However, my instructor told us that if you do have baggage apply at the smaller departments, or departments that are not as sought after.... For example, stockton, modesto, are tough to get into because they pay good, so they get many applicants, basically as long as you haven't done anything major, you have a good chance. A degree helps, but will not be a determining factor in getting hired. Just because your book smart doesn't mean your street smart... a degree will make you a more rounded person though... goodluck.

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