BACKGROUND PROCESS

[CHP1]

HELLO EVERYONE!!!
TODAY I CAN GLADLY SAY THAT MY BACKGROUND PROCESS WILL BEGAIN NEXT WEEK. MY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR ALREADY SCHEDULED OUR FIRST INTERVIEW. I DO NOT WANT TO GET TOO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP OF MANY IN THE PROCESS. I AM JUST THANKFUL TO BE THIS FAR IN THE PROCESS. HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT MY BACKGROUND TO LAST? HOW SHOULD I DRESS FOR MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH MY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR? THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[redhead]

Dress like you want the job.

Oh, and don't be late (like me).

I had my Initial October 18th. I still have not heard anything, so be prepared to be patient and good luck.
Oh, and,
BE HONEST.

[CHP1]

THANKS A LOT REDHEAD,
MY INTERVIEW WILL BE AT MY HOME. I GUESS I DON'T REALLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING LATE I JUST HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT BEING READY.

[redhead]

THANKS A LOT REDHEAD,
MY INTERVIEW WILL BE AT MY HOME. I GUESS I DON'T REALLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING LATE I JUST HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT BEING READY.True. Just relax and just be honest.

Oh and by the way,mine was at the local office, and even though I had given myself an extra 20 minutes, that van that decided it wanted to try to fly and failed as it landed on the freeway, caused me to be late. :smile:

[CaliforniaHighwayPatrol]

I would wear what you wore to the QAP.

[CHP1]

REDHEAD,
WHERE ARE YOU TESTING OUT OF? HOW DID YOUR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR REACT ABOUT YOU BEING LATE TO THE INTERVIEW?

[redhead]

REDHEAD,
WHERE ARE YOU TESTING OUT OF? HOW DID YOUR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR REACT ABOUT YOU BEING LATE TO THE INTERVIEW?Out of San Jose.

I actually called my work as soon as I saw brake lights and had my co-worker check CAD (http://cad.chp.ca.gov/) to see where the accident was and if there were any details. As soon as I understood what happened, I called the office and left a message at the front desk since my BI was not to be found. That was 20 minutes before I was supposed to be there, and I was less then 5 minutes away at the limit. I called again at my designated time and talked directly to the BI, who of course had not heard about the accident. The accident happened right around 1.20, so of course there were a lot off officers going 10-10, and as I was filling out some paperwork once I arrived 7 minutes late, he came back in and said that another officer said it was quite an accident. So, all in all, it actually became a light point in the next couple hours.

[undertow999]

CHP1, congrats. Funny thing is I just talked to my BI today and I have my interview scheduled for next Thursday. It is also at my home. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

[bcjack]

Interview dress...Coat, tie, pressed pants, SHINY shoes, and....Dress in conservative colors. Dark blue, grey, and watch the tie...No Rush Limbaugh loud colors. Clean shaven, hair combed , teeth brushed...etc.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU IN YOUR TREK TO AN EXCELLENT AND NOBLE CAREER.:biggrin:

Always carry the thought..."How bad do I want this?"

[undertow999]

Interview dress...Coat, tie, pressed pants, SHINY shoes, and....Dress in conservative colors. Dark blue, grey, and watch the tie...No Rush Limbaugh loud colors. Clean shaven, hair combed , teeth brushed...etc.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU IN YOUR TREK TO AN EXCELLENT AND NOBLE CAREER.:biggrin:

Always carry the thought..."How bad do I want this?"

thats interesting, my BI told me today that it would be casual dress, no tie needed, but not jeans and a tshirt. But I think that it depends on the BI, and where the interview is going to be. Since my first interview is going to be in my apartment, that may be the reason for the more casual dress. I would think that if you are going for your interview at one of the stations, you may want to dress like bcjack said.

[bcjack]

undertow...Follow what your BI said...BUT...When in doubt...Go all out!!!

Good Luck to all of you...

[CHP1]

CONGRATS TO YOU 2 UNDERTOW999:biggrin: :biggrin:
I RECENTLY ALSO STARTED THE BACKGROUND PROCESS FOR THE U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AS A BORDER PATROL AGENT.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING THE BORDER PATROL. THIS IS A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE.

MY BORDER PATROL BI ASKED ME WHO MY NUMBER ONE CHOICE WOULD BE. I TOLD HIM WITHOUT A DOUBT (NO COMPETITION) THE CHP.

FEDERAL VS. STATE:confused:: :confused:: :confused::

[uoplax13]

I faced a similar decision, but have ultimately decided to go for CHP. A lot of the federal jobs look really fun and interesting, but....I think that if you compare them to the CHP, they don't really match up. It's also a different job altogether. You'll probably find some similarites in some of the CHP's specialized assignments, but, actually, the Border Patrol is probably closer than most agencies because you are at least out there a majority of the time patrolling. From what I've heard of other fed. agencies, a lot of time is spent in offices preparing cases, etc... and then there's the short burst of excitement.....kind of similar to driving a car all day, and then having one crazy stop.... Of course I'm not really qualified to comment there, so I'll stick to some stuff I actually know.

You can work anywhere in California. Sure, based on department needs you might get sent somewhere you don't want to go, but it's in CA. The BP is fairly predictable, you're probably going down towards Mexico, or up to Canada...most other fed. agencies can send you anywhere.

CHP sounds like they have a better benefits package for officers (need to research that claim). Right out of the CHP Academy you are making more than a fed, unless they have a graduate degree, and even then, in some cases you'll still be pulling in more. That's not to say that anyone gets into this line of work for the money, but it's something to consider.

I think the last thing I can think of at the moment would be training and reputation. FLETC is a pretty good place from what I've heard, but it's hard for any training academy to compete with what the CHP's got going - personal opinion here, I could be wrong. Another big part is the reputation, at least I think. Sure, like every agency out there the CHP has probably had some not so great moments, but it seems like most federal agencies end up having a lot more scandalous stuff happen....this could be based on training, the media, or just what I happen to perceive, or a combination of all three.

Bored at work is a bad excuse, but like usual, I'll apologize for the length of this. I guess I should go get back to "work".

[retchp]

I realize we all tell you honesty is the only policy. That being said, if I were being interviewed for a job with Border Patrol, LAPD, or anyone else and was asked what my first choice would be, and it was CHP, I might back off a bit on the honesty angle and/or re program my thinking and say something a little more encouraging to the Department I was being interviewed by. Maybe something along the lines of, " I am interviewing with several different agencies. My career path is law enforcement and I intend to accept the first and best offer I am extended, no matter the agency. I would be proud to work for (Border Patrol, LAPD, etc)".

I once told an oral interview panel that my first choice was CHP and needless to say Lodi Police Department did not extend me an offer.:shock:

[CHP1]

BORDER PATROL STARTS AT ABOUT 38,000 WITH A 4YEAR DEGREE. AT LEVEL GS5. 36,000 WITH NO DEGREE.

[uoplax13]

Like I said, you're getting paid more with CHP. I'm don't remember the current payscale off the top of my head, but with my degree I could get hired at a gs-9 or gs-11....a friend I have with the same degree but more experience got hired by an agency at i think gs-13 (not sure there, but he basically got hired on at a higher grade and with more pay than most ever would). All that said, I think that even though I'll only get the extra 5% that I'd see with only a BA with my MS (right?), I end up getting paid more and with what I think is a better job, or at least one that suits me better.

Good/ funny point retchp....I think it'd be tough to hire someone on if they had just told you that they'd rather be somewhere else.....a little lie in that case is okay....I doubt during the polygraph they'd ask you if you'd rather work at a different agency.....

[Dipmo]

Good/ funny point retchp....I think it'd be tough to hire someone on if they had just told you that they'd rather be somewhere else.....a little lie in that case is okay....I doubt during the polygraph they'd ask you if you'd rather work at a different agency.....

Not so much a lie, but a uh... diplomatic answer.

[pupdog]

Been there, done that retchp! And thanks for the memory jog. Perhaps that's why a department passed me in backgrounds for dispatcher but not officer, on the same background investigation. That background interview was about the time I did my CHP written, and I was asked where I would prefer to work, and I said (honesty being the only policy) CHP!!