Colourful Background - Silly to Apply?

[aviator]

A bit about me...


The bad:

2 misdemeanor convictions, 4 arrests -- one of which was under age, and one by CHP for DUI, but I blew .04 in the breath
test so they let me go with a verbal warning
License suspended once for failure to pay fine
No high-school diploma
Many traffic citations -- nearly all of them speeding

The good:

Have been employed continuously as an IT engineer for the past ten years
Obtained private pilot license and currently working on advanced ratings
Currently studying for the GED with intent to earn a high-school diploma
Happily married for the past 3 years
No traffic citations or any interaction with police in over three years
No drugs
Maintain regular PT

I've made a lot of positive changes in my life and now I'd like to top it off with becoming an officer of the highway patrol. Of all the research I've done, the CHP seems like the most pretegious law enforcement agency around. To better illustrate my desire, I can tell you that I would be taking a pay cut of at least 50% to take a job with CHP. One thing I've learned in life is that it's very important to enjoy your occupation as you will spend at least 1/3 of your life on the job. While on the CHP website, I read about an officer who was an F-18 pilot and decided to make a career of the CHP. I'm sure he had airline jobs waiting for him, but he chose the CHP. That in itself is a testament to the quality of CHP.

Given my background, is it silly for me to apply? I'm not sure why I'm posting this question because no matter what the response, I'll apply anyway.

[TheForceCHP]

First off you are going to need that GED before you apply. The "bad" things that are going to hurt, but from what you say you have been doing good for the last couple of years. Once you have the GED apply and see what happens.

[aviator]

The GED is the easy part. I plan to have that out of the way within 1-2 months.

[SB 405]

Isn't four arrests a tad on the high side?

[aviator]

Yes, 4 arrests is high. That's why I pose the question of whether I should apply.

I saw my record a few years ago and I think the one where the CHP took me in to breath test me isn't even on there, so I'm not sure that it counts.

Another was when I was 15. I was out past curfew with a friend and using another friend's (who wasn't with us) bicycle. We were chased by the police and ran away, leaving the bike behind. The police picked the bike up. I felt so guilty that my friend who wasn't even with us would have to go to the police and claim his bike. My guilt was overwhelming so I went to the police station and claimed that the bike was stolen and I was there to retrieve it. They pressured me for the real story, then arrested me for filing a false police report.

I was released to my parents and not convicted of any charge.

[Ridder04]

It all really depends on the exact length of time since each incident. They will want to know what you have done since to ensure you have learned and that these are all things of the past. For example, telling them that your involved in youth programs that help keep the youth out of trouble would be a good thing (if your not invovlved, get involved). They will also probably ask why you have waited so long to finish your GED. These kind of things show that you have moved away from the immaturity of your past.

Basically, you have to paint a positive picture of yourself now that shows you are a mature, proactive, candidate that has learned from mistakes and would be a perfect fit to enforce the law.

If you have a true passion to be in law enforcement then you should definitely apply. They can only say no. I would give it a shot.

Good luck.

[TheForceCHP]

I saw my record a few years ago and I think the one where the CHP took me in to breath test me isn't even on there, so I'm not sure that it counts.


It does count. First off just because it doesn't show up on the records that you saw doesn't mean that they won't see it. I will give you a quick tip and that is that honesty will get you a lot farther then not being honest. Not to say that you aren't an honest person, but you need to tell them everything, even things that you don't think matter.

[Mac]

You'd have to disclose all that stuff in your background whether it actually "counted" or not. Your title says it all - your background is definitely "colorful", but I don't see anything that's an automatic DQ (except the GED, which you're working on.) There are a few background investigators here who will be able to give you a better assessment of your chances, but it never hurts to apply....the worst they can do is say "no."

[Cameron]

Mac is entirely correct- take note of his advice. "The worst they can say is no." Apply and see what happens! Best of luck to you.

[CHPGuy]

Well hell, you can always join LAPD!!! :lol:

[aviator]

I've waited this long to pursue a GED only because none of my employers have expressed any concern over it and it hasn't held me back yet. The only reason that I've begun preparing for it is the CHP requirement. I have to say though, that it will be nice to have it out of the way and be an official high-school graduate. :smile:

[aviator]

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement! I'm definitely going to apply. What I plan to do is a combination of a background investigation on myself and full disclosure of whatever I can remember. This way I can be resonably confident I haven't missed anything.

[dw]

Definitely get your GED and apply. What's the worst, we say, "sorry, come back in a few years"? Although your history is colorful, it sounds as you have a few years behind the incidents, which is to your benefit. Give it a shot.

[sweetdancer]

Wow, I am surprised you are encouraging someone with that type of history to apply. It was my understanding that a criminal record would DQ you for sure. And how does someone without a high school education get a job as an IT Engineer???

[redhead]

And how does someone without a high school education get a job as an IT Engineer???

Same way as a man that dropped out of College ended up the worlds wealthiest man... :D

[not5150]

From one IT person/pilot to another... give it a shot!

I don't anything in your past that is an auto DQ, plus it looks like you've been successful at cleaning things up.

1. Have been employed continuously as an IT engineer for the past ten years - Good work history and shows you have some brains

2. Obtained private pilot license and currently working on advanced ratings - So many people say they want to get a pilots license, but never go through with it. Congrats. Shows dedication.

3. Happily married for the past 3 years - GREAT!

4. No traffic citations or any interaction with police in over three years - Very Good

5. No drugs - Good.

[not5150]

Wow, I am surprised you are encouraging someone with that type of history to apply. It was my understanding that a criminal record would DQ you for sure. And how does someone without a high school education get a job as an IT Engineer???

I know a few guys that barely scraped through HS that are currently pulling in 120K+/year as Cisco networking engineers. I myself never finished UCLA :sad:, yet I make more money than any of my cousins that have finished college.

[aviator]

Sweetdancer is a perfect example of why the CHP most probably will DQ me based upon my background. She represents the "public trust," which in my mind is the foundation of being a sworn officer. I read one of her posts where she thanked officers for coming to her aid while stranded on the highway. If she were stranded and I was the officer who stopped to help her, and she knew my background, would she feel safe? I can say with confidence that if she knew me personally she most certainly would. I happen to know that any of my friends would trust me with their lives. However I don't think it's pratical or possible to befriend everyone that you might provide assistance to as an officer prior to providing that assistance. That said, the trust must come from somewhere. In the case of the peace officer, it comes from the badge that says this person has been found trustworthy and dependable, by all public and departmental standards.

[aviator]

5150 ,
Are you somewhere in the application process now? Thanks for the words of encouragement!

[sweetdancer]

I wasn't saying that someone that didn't finish high school isn't intelligent enough to be an IT Engineer. My point was that employers today require a HS diploma or GED to even have a lower level job. But perhaps 10 years ago when you landed your current job things were different. I know a lot of successful people making over 100k year that don't have degrees. And it is true that you can make a lot of money without one. But for me I wanted my degree as a personal accomplishment. I feel education is very important and that you can never have enough knowledge.

[ayce]

80 percent of true knowledge comes from life, which means life experience which in time you gain wisdom, and become wiser and more knowledgeable. Experiencing ups and downs. 20 percent or maybe less comes from acadamia. I've been to college and so I can say that its an informed opinion.