Just Applied with CHP, Few Questions!

[impact123]

Hey there folks! I just applied with CHP and I had a few questions. I'm taking my PAT and written test in May. I'm not particularly worried about either, but I am concerned with the background check, etc.

This is where my questions are. So background wise this is where I stand.
- 25 Years Old

- No past crimes (felonies or misdemeanors)

- No arrests.

- Had traffic violations when I was still a kid (1 speeding ticket, 1 illegal left, 2 rolling stops) but they've all since fallen off my DMV record (point wise) and I haven't had a citation for AT LEAST 3, maybe 4 years.

- Credit isn't amazing. When I was 18 I opened up too many credit cards which eventually I fell behind on. I paid all of those off in 2011/2012. My balances on my cards are all at $0, and I've had on time payments for 2 years now. As I mentioned above, I currently don't have any accounts in collections.

- Employment wise I've been with 1 company since 2011-now, but it's a family business which technically I run now so I don't know how/if that counts. I worked at starbucks before that for a few years and I left on good terms.
HOWEVER, I did work as a EMT at one company for 6 months and I did decide to leave because my partner and I couldn't work together and management didn't want to do anything about it. I also worked at another company as a EMT (both private companies by the way) and after about 3 months I believe, we parted ways (don't believe I was fired but we did have a sit down meeting and I quit).

So my questions would be, would my credit and employment history hurt me? Should I mention both issues up front? Do you guys have any tips for me in general? I'll also be applying for more agencies soon.

Thanks in advance for any/all help!

[eta34]

What type of work is the family business? Credit should be no issue, as you have paid off all of your accounts a few years ago and maintained.

I'm concerned about the EMT jobs and your inability to get along with others. I would probably want to know more about that if I was your BI.

Any college or military?

[Desertdoc]

You applied. Did you meet the minimum requirements? Was your application accepted? Do you have a letter confirming your acceptance?

We cannot tell what they will say about your background. You want a seal of approval. Go through the process and let the chips fall where they may. There is a reason the application steps exist. It allows them to weed out those that do not have a high chance for success.

Not worried about PAT? That is your first test and you are not worried about it? You are such a fine physical specimen that you have no need to train? Smoke it and your name will be known as a beast. Do the minimum and while you may get an academy date, you might get remembered for that too.

Those guys evaluating you have long memories.

You are a NO GO at this station.

[BigStiCK]

I went through the process about 15 years ago so some things may have changed but....

Everything in your background matters. Everything. If you are able to pass the physical portion of the app process and advance to backgrounds be prepared for a deep dive into your history.

You will need contact info for all previous employers. They WILL be contacted & interviewed. Your credit history is a big factor but it sounds like you've got that straightened up. Your traffic violations & any prior traffic incidents (collisions, etc) must be disclosed & will affect your eligibility.

I cannot emphasize this enough: DO NOT omit (leave out) anything. They will find out & they will disqualify you for it. "I forgot about that" has been tried & rejected a thousand times over.

The application process is critical. It is your first step, where you begin to build your reputation. Do not take it lightly. Work your *** off. Over-prepare. Provide everything ahead of schedule.

Good luck. Its a great career, but it aint easy.


Btw, from what you've provided it seems like you'd be a good candidate, just don't get cocky. If you have any Q's feel free to PM me & I'll do my best to answer.

[Desertdoc]

Remember when you were in the first grade and you liked Jenny so you pushed her down on the playground and ran away?

They will find her and talk to her about you.

Never, EVER lie to your background investigator. Yes, leaving something out is a lie. Tell them up front, rather than letting them find out. Goes to honesty and integrity.

Your professional reputation starts NOW.

[Dr_Kevorkian]

Great advice from everyone who posted before me. Considering I've been through, and passed, backgrounds for multiple departments, here's what I'll tell you. DO NOT LEAVE OUT ANY INFORMATION, even if you don't think its important, disclose it and let your BI decide. As for your polygraph which you will take, go in there clear minded and answer the questions. DO NOT try to cheat it. Sure, its normal to be nervous, but you have nothing to worry about if you tell the truth. Don't read about anything polygraph related online. Just go in and take it. Good luck!

[rcslotcar]

Just want to say congrats and good luck with the process.

[impact123]

What type of work is the family business? Credit should be no issue, as you have paid off all of your accounts a few years ago and maintained.

I'm concerned about the EMT jobs and your inability to get along with others. I would probably want to know more about that if I was your BI.

Any college or military?

The type of work for the family business is a Insurance Agency.
Military Experience - No
College - No (Aside from EMT Certification)

For one job that lasted 6 months (back in 2013), my partner and I just weren't very compatible. First week on the job she started a argument with me regarding patient care because I had a different opinion than she did. I didn't mind that much and I tried just to let her do her own thing but aside from that she was pretty racist and rude. I requested to be transferred to another station, or a different shift, but being a private company who only did IFT transfers (no 911) they didn't really care. The company also had me doing duties that weren't assigned to me whatsoever. They had me train at least 2 employees over the course of working there despite not being a FTO.

The second job (technically first, first EMT job I had in 2012) is where I think I might have a issue. Like I said, it was my first EMT position and I was working with a medic (also not 911, just IFT transfers) so that meant that I was always driving. My partner was also female so that meant that we would basically get assigned all the female attendant calls. It wasn't uncommon for us to drive 300-500 miles a night on most shifts. My third month in, we had a particularly busy night (we did 550 miles that night I believe) and we drove from city to city to city, and we were already held over 2 or so hours after our 12 hour shift ended so I was extremely tired. I was starting to fall asleep. Shift ended (nothing bad happened) but I was brought in the next day and we talked, and I explained what happened. They put me with a FTO for my next shift to "evaluate me", mostly my knowledge where each hospitals emergency bay was, etc. Obviously I was still pretty new at that point so I had to rely on the GPS for some facilities, and we worked in a huge city in SOCAL so that was that. I thought I did pretty well but we sat down and from what I remember I ended up putting in my 2 weeks and quitting.

Thats pretty much all I remember from both of those companies, and like I said those were pretty much the focus my focus on concerns.

[impact123]

You applied. Did you meet the minimum requirements? Was your application accepted? Do you have a letter confirming your acceptance?

We cannot tell what they will say about your background. You want a seal of approval. Go through the process and let the chips fall where they may. There is a reason the application steps exist. It allows them to weed out those that do not have a high chance for success.

Not worried about PAT? That is your first test and you are not worried about it? You are such a fine physical specimen that you have no need to train? Smoke it and your name will be known as a beast. Do the minimum and while you may get an academy date, you might get remembered for that too.

Those guys evaluating you have long memories.

You are a NO GO at this station.

I did meet the minimum requirements. My application was accepted and I do have a letter confirming my acceptance. My testing dates are in May (both written and PAT).

I am worried for my PAT, however, I essentially have 3 full months to prepare for it. I've renewed my gym membership and have plans to start going 6 times a week up until my test date.

I wasn't meaning to sound cocky in my post, so I apologize if I somehow managed to come across that way.

[BigStiCK]

Emphasis at the Academy is on endurance. Unless you regularly compete in triathlons expect to get your A** handed to you during PT. Dont bother with heavy weights. Focus on flexibility & cardio. Run. Alot.

[CenCal45]

Emphasis at the Academy is on endurance. Unless you regularly compete in triathlons expect to get your A** handed to you during PT. Dont bother with heavy weights. Focus on flexibility & cardio. Run. Alot.

This ^

Start running like you've never ran before lol, and even then you're still gona get handled.


4am PT, then a few miles at a 6 min/mile pace, you run literally EVERYWHERE except by the memorial, and more PT/running for "dinner mints" when you guys screw up. It's glorious lol


Seriously though just do lots of cardio/circuit training and come to the realization there will be a huge adjustment to academy life. It aint gona be easy

[impact123]

Emphasis at the Academy is on endurance. Unless you regularly compete in triathlons expect to get your A** handed to you during PT. Dont bother with heavy weights. Focus on flexibility & cardio. Run. Alot.

Gotcha, I was planning on working on cardio and upper body, but I'll try to focus on cardio more!

[Desertdoc]

I did meet the minimum requirements. My application was accepted and I do have a letter confirming my acceptance. My testing dates are in May (both written and PAT).

I am worried for my PAT, however, I essentially have 3 full months to prepare for it. I've renewed my gym membership and have plans to start going 6 times a week up until my test date.

I wasn't meaning to sound cocky in my post, so I apologize if I somehow managed to come across that way.

Ok cool. I wanted to be clear. While each step is important, that one is the very first.

I really would not worry about the gym unless it is a cardio class or RUNNING on a treadmill. No matter where you are, if you have 5 minutes, drop yourself and knock out 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups 3 times a day, every day. PERFECT form.

If it is a test, physical or written, work to far exceed the standard. Do that and you will have no problems.

Strength is important yes, endurance, MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY is more important.

It is going to suck. You will think about quitting, this is normal. Do not even talk about it. Get it out of your head. You must be mentally prepared as well. And even if you are, it will be a kick in the balls. Guys will talk about quitting, get the fvck away from them.

If you can, post in this thread and keep us updated. You have established a virtual support system. Don't be a rock, use it.

Now go do PT.

[painkiller]

They are gonna want employment history for last 10 years,id go to social security and pay for a copy of your work history report.the basic physical is nothing.run a lap,do the 100 yd dash,then do some side shuffle bs and some light stuff,unless of course they changed that up.id be worried about the oral interview,gotta get at least an 80.good luck

[impact123]

They are gonna want employment history for last 10 years,id go to social security and pay for a copy of your work history report.the basic physical is nothing.run a lap,do the 100 yd dash,then do some side shuffle bs and some light stuff,unless of course they changed that up.id be worried about the oral interview,gotta get at least an 80.good luck

I'll go ahead and do that, and get a copy of my work history from the social security office.

Thanks for the suggestions!