It Happened To ME!?!?!?!?!

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

Well it happened…. I was disqualified last week. I had a telephone interview with my background investigator where he notified me that he would NOT be recommending me to continue in the process. I have to admit that I was floored when I heard what happened. Like so many others on this web site I was always interested to know how others were disqualified; now it’s my turn to share. PLEASE, I want to share what happened for those readers that are interested in hearing; in no way am I looking for advice from people NOT in the know or sympathy for what I caused. Okay, Here it goes.

Five years ago prior to joining the Air Force I applied for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a Custody Assistant. After passing the written and interview I was instructed to fill out a personal history statement and retrieve several documents for a background investigation. Several weeks later I received a phone call from a background investigator to set up a date for an initial interview. During that interview I turned in the PHS and all documents; as well as go over everything making sure the packet was complete and accurate. The Investigator also asked several questions about my background. As I walked out of that interview I felt as though I was on my way to the Academy.:cool: Several weeks go by and I don’t hear anything from the deputy who I thought would be conducting my investigation. I would call her about every other week and leave messages (that was of course after about 4 months went by with out any word at all). I never heard anything about references getting contacted, nothing! So I chalked it up to the hiring freeze which, was supposed to last 3 to 4 years, which had just started. Oh was man I wrong!!!! That was five years ago. Now fast forward to December 10th 2007. That was the day I had my QAP. During that QAP I told them…. Well I won’t go into specifics, sorry DW, lets just say I told them, what I knew, about everything. Come to find out I didn’t know too much.:think::question:

Last week my BG Investigator called me and we had a little chat. You know, the recorded kind… He told me that I was in fact DQed from that LASO BG Investigation and that since my score would have been different in my QAP had they known that, it did not make it fair. Along with that there were warnings from an employer between 5 and 7 years ago that I admitted to, and didn’t remember when time came for this investigation. You may say, “Well how do you remember now well enough to tell us here on this forum?” Well we went over the entire LASO Investigation during that phone call. Knowing what I know now; I should have been disqualified. I was a punk kid and needed to do a lot of growing up. The only problem was that I never received any notification that I was DQed. I truly told them what I knew and it just didn’t pan out for me. The LASO investigator put in her notes that she notified me by mail of my DQ and that’s what the CHP Investigator went off of to say that I omitted it. Now I’m in the penalty box for the next year. :hitwall::doh:

So that’s my story. Sorry, it was a bit long winded. Hopefully it will help some applicant down the road. Just remember YOU are accountable for you. The CHP is trying to find out what kind of person you are; and they cannot do that by you saying that you are a great person. They need facts. They work off of facts and if what they find says you are not being fully truthful, then that’s all they have to go off of. Your word does not stand up well against FACTS!!! So all of you applicants take what I say and let it help you, or don’t, just don’t be the one to have YOUR BG Investigator call you and say, “We need to have a conversation, the recorded kind!”

**In no way am I trying to bash the CHP’s hiring process. I completely understand how and why I got DQed.**

[TheForceCHP]

If you really want it then apply again

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

If you really want it then apply again


I do really want it; However, my background investigator told me that I have to wait for one year. I will be separating from the Air Force in June and I'm scared. I need to find a good paying job. I thought about extending my enlistment but they are only doing 4 and 6 year enlistments.

[retchp]

Dispatcher, Correctional Officer with CDC. . .any AF skill set translatable to civilian jobs, just some thoughts for you.

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

Thank you RetCHP

Dispatcher, Correctional Officer with CDC. . .any AF skill set translatable to civilian jobs, just some thoughts for you.

[Artem]

Sounds like something is wrong in your past. Did you have any problems with the Law before applying to LASO? I dint grow up in the US; so, can you please explain to me what is the punk kid:noidea:? Thank you.

[snowdog]

Sounds like something is wrong in your past. Did you have any problems with the Law before applying to LASO? I dint grow up in the US; so, can you please explain to me what is the punk kid:noidea:? Thank you.
Please AFtoCHP, let me answer this one.
NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!
AFtoCHP shared his story, got his point across very well, is taking responsibility for his actions and is just trying to offer advice. Take it for what it is worth, and it's worth a great deal, and learn from his error.
Good Luck AFtoCHP.

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

Sounds like something is wrong in your past. Did you have any problems with the Law before applying to LASO? I dint grow up in the US; so, can you please explain to me what is the punk kid:noidea:? Thank you.

Well I was never in trouble with law enforcement; however, some of the things I did such as: drinking underage, bad traffic history, a couple of theft incidents, and some write-ups at work did not mesh well with a career with a law enforcement agency. I thought that since I was an explorer that would erase my bad history and that was not the case. I never got caught by law enforcement but that still does not excuse my bad choices. Becoming an explorer was a definate step in the right direction; there was just not enough time between my application and those incidents. I am in no way the same person I was when I was younger and have definately learned from my mistakes. I'm not afaid to admit to what I have done especially if it will help another applicant through the process. My mistakes are MY mistakes. Like they say own your past, it's your's.

**and so nobody asks this question everything I have talked about was told to the CHP there were to verbal warnings that I forgot about they were approx. 5 to 6 years ago.**

[Artem]

Please AFtoCHP, let me answer this one.
NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!
AFtoCHP shared his story, got his point across very well, is taking responsibility for his actions and is just trying to offer advice. Take it for what it is worth, and it's worth a great deal, and learn from his error.
Good Luck AFtoCHP.
Sorry. You are right.

[Artem]

Well I was never in trouble with law enforcement; however, some of the things I did such as: drinking underage, bad traffic history, a couple of theft incidents, and some write-ups at work did not mesh well with a career with a law enforcement agency. I thought that since I was an explorer that would erase my bad history and that was not the case. I never got caught by law enforcement but that still does not excuse my bad choices. Becoming an explorer was a definate step in the right direction; there was just not enough time between my application and those incidents. I am in no way the same person I was when I was younger and have definately learned from my mistakes.
Thank you for being so honest, sir. Sorry if I asked the wrong question. I wish you great success next year.

[HIPCHIP]

The important thing is that you have realized your past mistakes and don't plan on doing them again. That is the reason for the one year wait, to see if you have "Matured" and are on the straight and narrow, or if you still have some "Bad Boy" in you. SO, you need to be an A1, top, super citizen for the next year, and the rest of your life/career.

Except for being activated and stationed overseas, looking into the reserves or national guard can look good. Going to college and getting good grades will look good. Doing some volunteer work with a police agency can look good. Good work history is definitely a big plus, so whatever job you get, show up on time, work hard, etc, etc. Anything that shows that the dumb kid you used to be doesn't exist anymore. The department knows people make mistakes, so they will give you a second chance (as long as you didn't do anything too wrong. Theft is kind of a biggie, but if your BG investigator says no problem, you should be fine).

Do stuff with your church, check into dispatching, anything to show you are changed should help you and will allow you a good chance in the future.

Don't give up yet, talk to your BG invest., and go from there.
Good luck.

[dbowtie96]

AFtoCHP,
Keep your motivation in the right direction(Positive). Keep reaching for your goals. Take this unfortunate situation and use it as fuel to stay clean from here on out and re-apply. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

[23112]

AFtoCHP, there are many, many officers that got DQ'ed in the process before succeeding. Your BI would tell you if you should never apply again. Since he told you to wait a year--that's good news. Hang on to all your paperwork to make the next try a little easier on yourself. Keep your nose clean for a year and re-apply, if you still want to. It's worth it!

Good luck in your endeavors--stick around the boards, too, if you'd like!

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

**and so nobody asks this question everything I have talked about was told to the CHP there were TO verbal warnings that I forgot about they were approx. 5 to 6 years ago.**

**two**

[HWY Ranger2B]

Hang in there. I think this job is worth it. Next to a couple vacations overseas, I had the most fun in my life yesterday on the job. This job is well worth it and I find myself looking forward to each day on the job.

[lizmagana]

Thanks for sharing your story...

[Bu Local]

A telephone Disqualification? Wow!

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

A telephone Disqualification? Wow!

Well I'm glad he didn't have my fly to California just to DQ me. I'm from Montana and I already spent about $2,500 between hotels, air fare, rental cars, food, and gas.

[Jeff Rhea]

I suggest you look seriously at local law enforcement agencies. They may be more forgiving of your background.

Just about every law enforcement agency in this state is trying to find qualified applicants. I personally know four of the 7 police chiefs in my county; all but one of them is having a very hard time finding applicants they can hire - and the reasons they are DQ'ing are a lot bigger than the ones you presented here.

Consider spending a year with a smaller agency, then give us another shot. It does several things for you: you will have completed a POST academy (4 months) and obtained your POST Basic Certificate (1 year probationary period). You will have had the oportunity to work in general LE and do things not routinely done by the CHP. You will have an oportunity to continue to distance yourself from your past in a meaningful way. And you will have the oportunity to see how local agencies work before coming over to the CHP. I spent two years with a local agency before I came to the CHP. I learned a lot of lessons there I still use today.

Hang in there, you've got plenty of time.

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

I suggest you look seriously at local law enforcement agencies. They may be more forgiving of your background.

Just about every law enforcement agency in this state is trying to find qualified applicants. I personally know four of the 7 police chiefs in my county; all but one of them is having a very hard time finding applicants they can hire - and the reasons they are DQ'ing are a lot bigger than the ones you presented here.

Consider spending a year with a smaller agency, then give us another shot. It does several things for you: you will have completed a POST academy (4 months) and obtained your POST Basic Certificate (1 year probationary period). You will have had the oportunity to work in general LE and do things not routinely done by the CHP. You will have an oportunity to continue to distance yourself from your past in a meaningful way. And you will have the oportunity to see how local agencies work before coming over to the CHP. I spent two years with a local agency before I came to the CHP. I learned a lot of lessons there I still use today.

Hang in there, you've got plenty of time.

Thank you for your advice sir, I'm getting ready to make yet another trip out to California. This time I will be re-applying for LASO. If for some reason it does not work out for me this time around, well, I'm not sure what I'll do; However, I feel that I will be okay this time as long as I disclose everything. My past six years have been very productive and I'm very proud of what I have accomplished. If in two, three, or five years down the road my desire to become a CHP Officer is still strong then I will go for it again. I still have 13 years before I'm not eligible anymore. Once again thank you to everyone who has given me words of encouragement.

[quaylie]

I was almost DQ'd on my Background after my final interview with my investigator. I had to go in to meet with my B.I. and furthermore had to meet with his boss (don't remember what her title was, she was dressed in business attire). Ater sitting and talking with both of them for half an hour they decided to recommend me; it surprises me that they decided to tell you over the phone instead of having you come in for an office visit. Good luck to you in the future.

[dw]

A telephone Disqualification? Wow!

it surprises me that they decided to tell you over the phone instead of having you come in for an office visit. Good luck to you in the future.He is out of state. Wouldn't it be adding insult to injury to make someone spend money to fly out, then be disqualified?

[Eagl5]

(don't remember what her title was, she was dressed in business attire).

Maybe her title was Sgt.:think::doh:

[quaylie]

He is out of state. Wouldn't it be adding insult to injury to make someone spend money to fly out, then be disqualified?


Yeah I missed his post where he stated that; that is explanation enough.

[quaylie]

(don't remember what her title was, she was dressed in business attire).

Maybe her title was Sgt.:think::doh:

She never identified herself as a Sergeant, or I was just too nervous to remember. Is it possible she could have been a Leiutenant? If I remember, she had her own office at the station.

[Bu Local]

He is out of state. Wouldn't it be adding insult to injury to make someone spend money to fly out, then be disqualified?

Yeah, It's usually done that way for out-of-staters. I missed that part originally. My bad!

[Go2guy]

Hi, I will be meeting with my BI soon to do the Final Background Interview and I am very nervous. My question is, can I be DQ at this interview? Thanks and be safe

[cg+fd2chp]

I'm sure you can. The person below almost was...




I was almost DQ'd on my Background after my final interview with my investigator. I had to go in to meet with my B.I. and furthermore had to meet with his boss (don't remember what her title was, she was dressed in business attire). Ater sitting and talking with both of them for half an hour they decided to recommend me; it surprises me that they decided to tell you over the phone instead of having you come in for an office visit. Good luck to you in the future.

Good luck

[dw]

My question is, can I be DQ at this interview? Thanks and be safeCan you be disqualified? Sure. Will you be disqualified? Who knows? As long as you have a clean background and were honest try not to sweat it too much. We know the interview is inherently stressful, and again, you shouldn't look for any more reasons to worry.

[rklhughes]

If the California Highway Patrol does not work out for you, check helmets to hardhats, they offer apprenticeships for veterans, if you plan on getting out within the next year I would strongly recommend looking into it.

[Go2guy]

Thanks DW, I am just nervous, this whole process has been long and ambiguous, which is why I asked. I want to make it.