Hi, I graduated not too long ago majored in Criminal Justice. I am applying to work with a local police department in a clerical/administrative setting, after working at my college’s police dept. I understand that a thorough background investigation will be completed, with polygraph, psych exam, and the like. I am rather intimidated by the process.
Here are my questions:
–If I have made it to a round of cuts, would it be premature to think that I might be hired? if so, since I am currently unemployed, should I go about looking for other jobs? I do need the money.
–How long do you think the background check will take? As long as for an officer?
–If I have tried drugs before, not used regularly, how do I answer and explain that with the polygraph? (Just marijuana and X twice, over five years ago–unsucessfully too, I didn’t know what I was doing). Do you think I will be held to the same stringent qualifications as a regular LE officer?
Thanks.
Tags: Answer, Background, Check, Drug, Local, Police, Preemployment, Question, Regards, With
Answer honestly.
This works 100% of the time.
Answer 100% honestly. I handle the background checks for my department. If he are honest with me, we can work with it. If you lie to me and I find out, I will disqualify you and any other department that asks me why, I will tell them.
Departments tend to be easier on civilians in regards to hiring standards. So your drug use may be over looked.
You should always have a background plan, no matter what career you are going into. So I would advise applying other places.
Background check for civilian employees are less intensive then for an officer, so they will go faster. I’d say 2-4 weeks. Most of that time is playing phone tag.
Tell them what they asked you to tell: The truth. Drug use, in general, won’t exclude you. But if you try to lie or half-*** an answer, you have zero chance. Keep in mind, the answers you give now will be verified under polygraph.
Since when do local police departments give admin/clerical staff polygraphs??? Or even for that matter the actual officers. Are you sure they are going to give you one?
Tell the truth. Lies have a way of coming around to bite you in the ***.
Be honest, but NEVER volunteer any information. Always keep your personal affairs out of the workplace….no matter what!