More life experiece, more difficulty?

[aviator]

I've been thinking a lot about my past and what might affect me in the CHP hiring process. Mostly what comes to mind is the arrest record etc (mentioned earlier in "Colourful Background").

After speaking with an officer from the recruitment center, my mind was put to ease somewhat about the misdemeanors. I as advised that as long as I'm upfront and honest, everything is likely to be ok. Some of the posts I've read here regarding DQs have me concerned. Most of them seem like non-issues, i.e. late a few minutes to work, forgot one or two misc small items etc... So, I began thinking about the little things in my life as well... and there are a lot. One in particular jumps out at me.

A couple of years ago, the company I worked for closed it's doors on the west coast. Myself and about 200 others were shown the door. Because I had been involved in aother layoff not long before that, I wanted to try something new. I was tired of working for someone else. So, I started my own company, fully incorporated in order to have some relief of liability. After only being incorporated for a few months and only having served one customer, an unexpected job offer came out of nowhere. I decided to take it and and quickly became accustomed once again, to a regular pay check.

Another year went by and I had done nothing with my little company. So, I decided to dissolve it. In order to go through formal dissolution, I would have to pay my attorney and unknown fee, my accountant $800 for a final tax return, and another $800 to the State of California for corporation ownership. My attorney advised me that instead of paying the nearly $2000 for formal dissolution I can just as easily pay nothing and choose abandonment, which is perfectly legal. Ofcourse, being the cheap-skate I am, I chose to abandon.

My question is this. Does anyone know whether something like this would be considered disqualifying? It could be viewed as cheating California even though it is legal. I will gladly pay the necessary dues in order to resolve it if it's an issue, it would just be nice to know ahead of time. I'm certainly not a cheat, but at the same time, I don't like to pay large sums of money if I'm not required to do so.

[dw]

As long as it was a legal process, there shouldn't be any issue of an automatic disqualification based solely on what you described.

[sweetdancer]

[TheForceCHP]

Aviator, apply end of story. When DW tells you that you shouldn't apply then you should think twice, but so far it seems like he hasn't said that at all. Yes, you may not make it, but so have many other good people. Do you really want to look back on life and say what if, no if you try and fail then learn from it and depending on why you might get disqualified(that is if you did) then make the decision on whether you want to try again.

Just my $0.000002

[sweetdancer]

[pupdog]

BIs were not born yesterday. The world of 'get good grades, get into a good school, get a secure job' was our parents/grandparents reality, not ours. BIs, unlike many in today's society, are police officers, and have learned to change their reality from our parents/grandparents world. Show of hands for folks in today's society who have stayed with the same company their whole lives? Not happening. Job security, pension, benefits, ALL in yesteryear. BIs know this.

The worst they can do is say no.

[MichiganCHPDreamer]

If I were you, I'd ignore the people in the "Group" area, and listen to a verified "Officer" of the CHP over anyone else.

People get hired in LE with time well spent. The issues you explained, are just that, issues. You will have to divulge, and discuss them to no end, but that's life. Any job worth having requires a Background Investigation of some type.

Do you think every Officer they hire is straight out of vacation bible school? Not likely..
I don't know any CHP Officers formally, but I know State Troopers from where I live, in Michigan that have previously been arrested for such things as OUIL(DUI). With time well spent, they were giving a conditional offer of employment. The Michigan State Police hold a high standard with whom they hire, just as any other LE agency would, and should. But they are not going to take a person with no people skills, and can't hold a conversation with a clean record, over a person who knocked down their orals, aced the written, and have a few marks against them 10 years ago. This job is just as much about the person, as the background, if not more. Why have Oral Boards, and face to face meetings, if they are going to solely look at backgrounds? The process THEN wouldn't make any sense.

They want to weigh on your every skill, and ability. Your background will also be taken into effect, but not as much as some people here are trying to claim. If you're right for the CHP, you are, if not, oh well as in life. Not to beat a dead horse, but the worse they can say is "no", or try again next year.

[RodeoChippie]

I would highly doubt that your situation would be an automatic DQ. According to your lawyer it was completely legal. So until the state comes knocking on your door wanting their money I wouldn't worry. Nothing you described in your post seems to me to be so outragous that it would prevent you from getting hired. Just remember to be very thorough with your past job experience when you fill out your personal history statement and be ready to explain your moving around. Not everyone is so fortunate to find an employer early in their life and be able to stay there until they retire. (except for me, 9 years to go) I look at it as you have some life experience and you are willing to do what you need to do to remain gainfully employed and contribute to society. And speaking of life experience, I would much rather have a partner who has some life experience and less formal education. The vast majority of those highly educated individuals with all kinds of letters after their names I have encountered couldn't find their ass with both hands. Not to say an education isn't a good thing, but I think life experience serves you better when it comes to this line of work.

[snowdog]

"My attorney advised me that instead of paying the nearly $2000 for formal dissolution I can just as easily pay nothing and choose abandonment, which is perfectly legal. Ofcourse, being the cheap-skate I am, I chose to abandon."
Choose abandonment, kinda the same way someone chooses abandonment when they get tired of their car and choose to let the finance company reposses the car?
I see alot being discussed about the legality question but what about the morality aspects? What about doing the responsible thing? Why should you have to pay these fees? Because others don't pay them so why should you? Maybe not an automatic DQ, but do I see a pattern there?
I would never discourage anyone from applying to this great job, but I can't recall anyone posting so many questions regarding their past and very questionable lifes choices looking for validation and advice from people who have no say in what the final outcome will be. I know this forum is all about getting information and encouraging each other, (I hope you do apply and give it your best shot), but keep in mind who you are asking. The only way to truly find the answers to your questions is to drop that application in the mailbox. But I'll warn you right now. The QAP does not ask all the questions that background investigators ask. They have a specific format they must follow. The only format background investigators have to follow is "your life". And if you are lucky enough to be sitting across the desk from me during the final interview, it's going to be the longest day of your life when I start asking questions regarding your lifes choices and your ability to take responsibility for your actions. Wear alot of deodorant becuase I can assure you that it's going to get very warm in that room. You won't be wasting my time, I get paid to do this.
Good luck!!

[mremmaye]

The only format background investigators have to follow is "your life". And if you are lucky enough to be sitting across the desk from me during the final interview, it's going to be the longest day of your life when I start asking questions regarding your lifes choices and your ability to take responsibility for your actions. Wear alot of deodorant becuase I can assure you that it's going to get very warm in that room. You won't be wasting my time, I get paid to do this.
Good luck!!

I can attest to that! During my final interview I should have loaded on that deodorant cause I felt my body roasting itself in my suit. That room sure goes from comfortable to hot in a split second! Even after all is disclosed, said and done you BI's still have that charm to make us applicants poop in our pants! :cool:

[aviator]

Quoting Snowdog

I know this forum is all about getting information and encouraging each other, (I hope you do apply and give it your best shot), but keep in mind who you are asking. The only way to truly find the answers to your questions is to drop that application in the mailbox.

--

I figure I'm asking people with experience in the process and hopefully someone who is an authority on the subject, such as yourself might see my post and provide some insight. You're right though, I'm probably looking for some comfort because I'm about to spend a whole lot of time and energy on this! After going back and reading some of these posts, I feel like sort of a baby :smile: I know I just need to man up, turn in the app and face my BI!

[sweetdancer]

[aviator]

Choose abandonment, kinda the same way someone chooses abandonment when they get tired of their car and choose to let the finance company reposses the car?
I see alot being discussed about the legality question but what about the morality aspects? What about doing the responsible thing? Why should you have to pay these fees? Because others don't pay them so why should you? Maybe not an automatic DQ, but do I see a pattern there?



That was exactly what I was referring to! There is definitely a pattern of irresponsibility and to keep posting numerous scenarios for reassurement seemed odd to me. Yes, the CHP is an awesome job and worth going through a lot to get. But is it worth THAT much embarrassment to be raked over for answers about every mistake you've made in your life? Yes, nobody is perfect and of course all of us will have a flaw here or there to explain. But to have THAT many! Sounds like too many excuses for me. But obviously he is going to go for it anyway and best of luck to him. I would sure love to be a fly on the wall during his BI meetings.

That's an interesting point of view, sweetdancer. I'm done posting to gain reassurance. I've been set on doing this from the beginning anyway. I've never participated in a forum like this before and it's sort of fun to post and spark all of these responses.

[makakona]

I would sure love to be a fly on the wall during his BI meetings.
some might say the same about a stripper who is (pretending to be thinking about?) applying to the chp while posting provocative pictures of herself on the chp board and blatantly trolling for officers. i love the hand-slapping about integrity...

to the op: you obviously came to this board for an officer's opinion and not joe schmoe's... i think you should listen to the officers. who gives a rip if other people think it's embarrassing or time-consuming... better to try and fail than to not try at all. good luck!

[dig]

Wow. Hell hath no fury....and such.

[pupdog]

Thank you Makakona! Thanks again for keeping the guys in line! I think you sould apply just so you can be academy staff or background investigator someday!

If I were a BI, I would be impressed that you had the brains to incorporate, no matter how tiny the business may be. Smart!

[sweetdancer]

[mremmaye]

Lets keep this forum professional.

[sweetdancer]

[G-Man]

personally, i think you should apply. The only thing that is an automatic DQ is if you have a felony on you record (because you can't carry a firearm) and lying. everyone makes mistakes and BI's know that. you have to be able to tell the complete truth. it is when you get caught in a lie, you have problems. most agencies are not looking for saints, if you have no skeletons somewhere in your closet (no matter how minor)you are not human and LE agencies do not want robots.

just remember be honest, you have to be able to be trusted. it is as simple as that.

[makakona]

i'm not sure why i'm supposed to be jealous, though i knew that would be the reply... you can be viewed as acting unfavorably without someone wishing they were you, you know. and judging from your pictures, i'm guessing this "old lady" is younger than you. ;)

nevertheless, there was no "attack" and the trolling comment was an observation of your posts, not an observation of the "attractive woman." lets allow the board get back to chp business as usual instead of a find-a-date website, shall we?

[sweetdancer]

[Tiredmotor]

I love girl fights!!!!

[makakona]

three kids in as many years means anything BUT a dull married life, haha. ;) but kids DO have to sleep and officers DO have to work and since i can't lock the kids in the house and head to the mall down the street, here i sit! i could continue my search for the cure for cancer, sure, but everyone needs a break some time!

it's always interesting, however, when someone who posts on a message board calls someone else out about having no life if they also post on a message board... ;)

[sweetdancer]

[HwyChaser]

Im rooting for makakona!!!!! Go makakona!!!

[sweetdancer]

[SB 405]

We are in the middle of a flat spin here folks.

[aviator]

We are in the middle of a flat spin here folks.

Inverted flat spin.

[RodeoChippie]

We are in the middle of a flat spin here folks.

Inverted flat spin.
And on fire.

[SB 405]

Im rooting for makakona!!!!! Go makakona!!!

Come on man....don't light the fuse.

[sweetdancer]

[aviator]

If they are a true representation of how women are treated in the CHP, then I want no part of it.

Take a look at the disclaimer, which can be found at the bottom of each page on this forum.

[RodeoChippie]

Maybe its just me, but I dont think you being a woman has anything to do with how people treated you. You seem to be able to hold your own when it comes to talkin trash to others but its a different story when they fire back. Maybe its best for everyone concerned you dont want any part of the CHP. Playing the "poor me, everyone is picking on me cuz I'm a woman" card isnt a desireable quality in potential applicants. Time to suck it up and quit whining or pack your trash and move along.

[mremmaye]

This thread is getting out of hand. Can we have a moderator lock this thread?

[Dipmo]

It looks like a FI09 has been pulled on some posts here.

[TheForceCHP]

Looks like I missed a lot, but seems like a lot of us on the site have been having the same feelings

[Dipmo]

We are in the middle of a flat spin here folks.

Inverted flat spin.
And on fire.

Goose, this is not good (sorry I had to do that):biggrin:

[dw]

The only thing that is an automatic DQ is if you have a felony on you record (because you can't carry a firearm) and lying.

Well, just for the record and others reading this, there are a few more situations that may result in an automatic disqualification.

[dw]

I guess I have to lock this one, too.