Arrest and citation record.

[Matt@MSX]

Hey guys sorry for starting another thread so fast but I forgot a question that has been bugging me for a while. As for as arrests and things go. I have never been arrested, let me say that first. But I did have some minor run ins with the law that were no big deal when I was 17. Those don't have to be listed becuase when you are 18 your record is sealed right? Or is it called expunged I am not sure.

Also I went to counseling for like 2 months when I was 16 or 17 because my mom and I weren't getting along. She wanted me to go because she thought it would help, which it did. It was nothing really but do I have to tell them about that or is that "sealed" not that I want to hide anything because I am completely willing to be 100% honest, but if its something that doesn't have to be listed then obviously I have no need to list it.

Thanks everyone,

- Matt

[Dipmo]

Hey guys sorry for starting another thread so fast but I forgot a question that has been bugging me for a while. As for as arrests and things go. I have never been arrested, let me say that first. But I did have some minor run ins with the law that were no big deal when I was 17. Those don't have to be listed becuase when you are 18 your record is sealed right? Or is it called expunged I am not sure.

Also I went to counseling for like 2 months when I was 16 or 17 because my mom and I weren't getting along. She wanted me to go because she thought it would help, which it did. It was nothing really but do I have to tell them about that or is that "sealed" not that I want to hide anything because I am completely willing to be 100% honest, but if its something that doesn't have to be listed then obviously I have no need to list it.

Thanks everyone,

- Matt

It does not matter if it is sealed or not. If asked about it (and you will be asked about it in the QAP) you must disclose all negative contacts with law enforcement not matter if you were 10 or 30.

On one of the many sheets you fill out during the written psych. you will be asked about if you have ever been in counseling. Obviously you would want to disclose it at that time.

All of those questions will be asked without a qualifier as in they will start with "have you EVER?" They won't start with "Since the age of 18 have you?"

Good luck,

[SB 405]

Heck I think if they bounced people for not getting along with a parent as a teenager the pickins would be mighty slim.

[makakona]

It was nothing really but do I have to tell them about that or is that "sealed" not that I want to hide anything because I am completely willing to be 100% honest, but if its something that doesn't have to be listed then obviously I have no need to list it.
you DO have a need to list it. tell them anything and everything. if it's "no big deal," why NOT list it? weigh your risks versus benefits... i would imagine it's far more likely that you'll get dropped for not disclosing information than for getting dropped for a minor underage offense. if there's "nothing to hide," why even bother risking it?!

if it's any consolation, my husband set off fireworks at a football game his freshman year of high school, while sitting in the stands. can we say MORON?! :rolleyes: he disclosed and proceeded through the application process just fine.

[Fire1]

Just be prepared to give them documentation from that counseling. I had my process held up because I had to call the school and have them send the required information. Took several extra weeks to work things out.

[bcjack]

Matt@msx:

As stated before...TELL EVERYTHING. If the polygraph reveals something deceptive, like "Have you ever been in trouble with Law Enforcement before?" and you answer no, as you didn't "Declare it", the poly could detect "DECEPTION" (read UNTRUTHFUL) and you could be DQ'ed.

Good luck in the process!!!:biggrin:

[dw]

Okay, some clarification...

Records are not automatically sealed at age 18, nor are you exempt from anything as a minor. You will have to list and discuss everything that has occurred in your life, regardless of age, location, etc...

The possible exception is sealed or expunged records. Be very careful with this one, though. There are several different Penal Code sections under which records may be sealed or expunged. Some require disclosure when applying to become a peace officer, others do not. The Statement to the Applicant in Peace Officer Examinations form in addition to the CHP 446F, Cadet Arrest and Citation Questionnaire both detail when you must or may not disclose an arrest. Be sure you get this right, as some very similar sections have very different requirements.

[TheForceCHP]

as somebody i know said, it only takes a little bit to get so called expunged or sealed documents to become available to a BI :badgrin:

[Matt@MSX]

So does anyone have any information about how badly a fight on your record will hurt you. I have been in one fight and unfortunately, I won. I wish I would have lost because I wouldn't have gotten in trouble. I was 17, this kid pushed me and I was taught, since a young child, you do not touch anyone, unless they get phsyical first. He was the first and the last. I punched him and he hit his head on the street. I don't know if I knocked him out or the street did when he hit his head but he got a concussion and went to the hospital. Apparently when a minor is involved in a fight and he goes to the hospital the police are automatically involved. So the officer called me, told my mom to bring me to the station. We talked about it and I wouldn't have gotten in trouble except that me and my friend went to his house and thats where it happened, so he said that we 'pursued' the fight. So I got anger management, and 8 hour course, and that was it. Like I said first and last fight, I am not an easily angered person or uncontrollable or anything like that, it was just a mistake I made. I regret it and have learned from it. How badly do you think this will hurt me? I never received a citation for it though, that is what makes me curious.

Also, with the citations. If you cleared, say a speeding ticket, with traffic school and its not on your dmv printout, do you still have to write it down?

Thanks all,

- Matt

[DESERT RAT]

Yes, you have to write down "all" citations. The form does not say all citations, except those that are cleared, expunged,forgotten! It says all! I had to list a fix-it citation for a brake light out on my girlfriends Dad's truck when I was 16 1/2 years old and guess what, it wasn't on my DMV print out , but the BI knew about it. If you think BI are looking for people with nothing negative in their background you are wrong! We are all human and make mistakes, but as you progress through the process you will hear of people who failed out because they lied or withheld information. For some reason applicants think the CHP only want's people who are perfect without a blemished background! Honesty is what they are looking for, if you lie now or withhold information before you are an Officer, chances are you will do the same when you are a Officer. Morale of the story: Lay your life out for the BI and let the chips fall where they may!

[Dipmo]

Yes, you have to write down "all" citations. The form does not say all citations, except those that are cleared, expunged,forgotten! It says all! I had to list a fix-it citation for a brake light out on my girlfriends Dad's truck when I was 16 1/2 years old and guess what, it wasn't on my DMV print out , but the BI knew about it. If you think BI are looking for people with nothing negative in their background you are wrong! We are all human and make mistakes, but as you progress through the process you will hear of people who failed out because they lied or withheld information. For some reason applicants think the CHP only want's people who are perfect without a blemished background! Honesty is what then are looking for, if you lie now or withhold information before you are an Officer, chances are you will do the same when you are a Officer. Morale of the story: Lay your life out for the BI and let the chips fall where they may!

That is very sound advice Rat. I had to list a fix it tickets as well, heck I even used the backside of my questionnaire there was so much on there. I thought I would never have a chance, but the QAP panel simply asked if I had disclosed everything and moved on; it was not an issue in the QAP, but you can bet lying would have been.

My theory on the whole background process is this; it's far better to get DQ'd during the INITIAL background interview for something you disclosed than later for being a liar. Tell them everything Matt, you won't regret it. Maybe they tell you to come back after you put some time of patterned mature behavior between you and a negative incident or maybe they take you right now; you will never know until you try. Time is your friend and so is volunteer work in your community.

You're young and you have a ton of time (about 15 years) to make yourself the kind of person you would want representing and serving the people of California. If you don?t make it this time keep trying and continue to work to improve yourself.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

[dw]

Also, with the citations. If you cleared, say a speeding ticket, with traffic school and its not on your dmv printout, do you still have to write it down?

Thanks all,

- Matt

You really need to carefully read all the paperwork you have been given, it will answer many of your questions. Part of what you are being evaluated on during your application process is your ability to receive and follow directions. Your arrest and citation questionnaire is a piece of cake compared to the PHS. Be sure you read all instructions several times and make sure you follow them verbatim. I remember reading the instructions over and over until they were practically memorized.

[Matt@MSX]

Ok I was talking to my friends dad, he is someone I admire very much. I was telling him I was worried about the fight I got in about 3 years ago. He said what are you worried about I told him that its an arrest I have to list. He said thats not an arrest, I said are you sure? He asked were you fingerprinted, booked, put in cuffs, or did they take a mugshot? They did none of that, nor did I ever receive a written citation for it. So is this an arrest or what, do I list this on the arrest and citations or wait until the PHS? The only thing that happened was I talked to an officer and I went to anger management. Did this happen because they were trying to not get me in trouble or what? I am sorry guys I am so confused. I realize I probably have to put this on my PHS but not on the arrest and citation questionnaire.

The other thing is a lady filed a complaint or a police report against me or something I dont know exactly what it was. She thought that I slept with her daughter (who was under 18 ) when I was 18 but I didn't. The officer came to my house asked my story and I explained everything. He knew I was telling the truth and told me not to worry to much and then I never heard anything about it again. What does this count as and when would I have to list this, if at all?

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate all the help.

- Matt

[Dipmo]

Ok I was talking to my friends dad, he is someone I admire very much. I was telling him I was worried about the fight I got in about 3 years ago. He said what are you worried about I told him that its an arrest I have to list. He said thats not an arrest, I said are you sure? He asked were you fingerprinted, booked, put in cuffs, or did they take a mugshot? They did none of that, nor did I ever receive a written citation for it. So is this an arrest or what, do I list this on the arrest and citations or wait until the PHS? The only thing that happened was I talked to an officer and I went to anger management. Did this happen because they were trying to not get me in trouble or what? I am sorry guys I am so confused. I realize I probably have to put this on my PHS but not on the arrest and citation questionnaire.

The other thing is a lady filed a complaint or a police report against me or something I dont know exactly what it was. She thought that I slept with her daughter (who was under 1:cool: when I was 18 but I didn't. The officer came to my house asked my story and I explained everything. He knew I was telling the truth and told me not to worry to much and then I never heard anything about it again. What does this count as and when would I have to list this, if at all?

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate all the help.

- Matt

If in doubt spill it out. I got picked up for a curfew violation there in good old Turlock when I was 15 (I'm 30 now to give you a time reference). I was taken to the station, my mother was called and I was taken home and lovingly beaten and grounded for two weeks. I never heard another thing about, ever.

When it came time to do paperwork I was not sure so I listed it to be safe (my mother told me not to and I trust her). When the QAP panel asked about I told them I was not sure if it was an arrest or not so I listed to be safe from an omission I did not intend to commit. They actually seemed to appreciate the honesty and it was not an issue. I got a 95 and I?m waiting for my BI to start now.

Besides all this they will ask you about "any negative contact with the police." This would qualify for a yes answer. My point is, if you have to discuss it anyway, you may as well list it on the arrest and citation questionnaire. It's far, far better to list something that was not needed than to leave something out that could hang you up later. It is what it is, put it on the sheet, tell them how you view your responsibility with regards to the incident, and how you have committed yourself to being a better man for the experience.

As for the questioning about sex thing, you will also be asked on the PHS and in the QAP about "being questioned as the accused." So while that will not have to be listed before the QAP it will be discussed and later you will need to write it down on your PHS.

I highly recommend calling the Modesto office on Monday and not another day later, asking for the recruiting sergeant, and requesting a mock QAP. They do them up there, but if you wait to long you will miss your shot. I speak from experience because when I called for a ride along there they told me they would rather I complete a mock QAP first so they could get to know me a little better. When I asked about a mock QAP I was informed that I had called too late to set one up. So again, call them Monday.
Modesto also offered a QAP seminar when I tested that I did attend. Very informative and there was two background investigators there to answer questions. If they offer that again, attend and bend the ear of one of those folks about your issues.

Remember, you can never over prepare, be committed, be ready, and be painfully honest and you will be fine.

Again, good luck to you Matt

[TheForceCHP]

i agree very much with something Dipmo said. when in doubt list EVERYTHING!!! it is my belief that the QAP and your BI will be impressed when you start talking about things that they don't even need to know, but they will see it as a sign of how honest you are trying to be

to give everybody and idea on how honest i was:

When asked if i had ever stolen anything i responded that when i was 10 that i think i sort of did. i was at a cub scout camp and bought an ice cream bar. well i purchased it but before i walked out or even opened it up i dropped it, i then put it back in the freezer and got a new one. yes i know this isn't stealing, but it showed them how serious i was about letting them know EVERYTHING that i had ever done.

hope that helps a little

[Matt@MSX]

Dipmo & TheForceCHP,

Thanks for you input, I agree with you guys completely and I am going to give a call to the office Monday for that mock QAP. Thanks again.

- Matt