LEO's keep trying?

[c3 rolling]

Hello Calgun LEO's. My dream coming out of high school was to be a DEA Agent, or a Narcotics officer at a local police department. Last year I applied for the LAPD. I was denied, well, not really denied more like "put on hold" until 2016, or 2015 I can't remember. I threw the papers away because I was so disappointed.

The LAPD basically said I was a piece of crap, I admitted to some things I had done because my law and legal teacher in high school who was basically my mentor told me to fess up to everything I did because it was the right thing to do. I haven't committed any crimes, I was never convicted of anything, and besides a few speeding tickets in my name, my record is 100% clean.

My question is, should I still keep applying at police departments? I know they will contact the LAPD about my application and why it was halted, and they would get all of the answers and everything I had admitted to, truthfully, on my questionnaire. I don't regret what I confessed and I would rather not say what I did but I was hanging with the wrong crowd from work and I have since dropped those people out of my life. I just think it's sort of a lost cause now that I'm labeled by the LAPD for a variety of reasons, immature, poor judgement making, etc.

I was hired by the LAPD when I just turned 21 . In fact, I turned 22 in the academy a couple months before graduation. I had no prior military when I was hired, just a few college credits and work experience from my parents business. I just hit 6 years on now and I feel that I should have waited a bit. If I could do it all over again I would finish school and grew up some more. I like your enthusiasm but if your dream was to become a LEO out of high school, why did you do those things that got you denied? I think you should finish school and grow a bit prior to trying again since you have time on your side. Good luck .

Way it was explained to me is that if you applied 100 times over 10 years and continually got rejected, they would look into why and spend a little more time with your packet. Was it that you kept getting edged out by more qualified candidates or did every department find something to DQ you for?

Regulas is right about one thing, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Applying to a bunch of departments is one thing, continually applying and continually getting rejected is another.

I agree that mass applications is not the way to go. My partner took 12 years to get hired because of a little mishap when he was 18. He told me that every back ground investigator contacted each other and the word spread like wild fire.

[GMANtt]

Thanks for all of your posts. I have more of a clear understanding on what I should do. I've been on the fence about joining the Air Force Reserve before I landed my job inspecting aerospace parts. I might give that a try but I'm afraid I would lose my job due to the 3 months needed for basic training.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I recommend joining the Guard or Reserve. I got turned away from some LE agencies when I was about your age. I kept my nose clean, paid my bills, and joined the military. A few years later I was in the academy and on my way. That was 12 years ago.

[GMANtt]

Did you enlist or join the reserves?

[verapakill]

I recommend joining the Guard or Reserve. I got turned away from some LE agencies when I was about your age. I kept my nose clean, paid my bills, and joined the military. A few years later I was in the academy and on my way. That was 12 years ago.

Thats some good advise right now. LE agencies love any kind of military background, it shows responsibility and that you can pass basic training which in ways is a lot like a police academy.

You are young right now and they dont usually like to hire on the hopes that you are mature enough they want some evidence like a good job and school record to back you up. I didnt get hired until I was 25 years old, most of the guys in my class were all around my age and older. We only had one guy that was 21 in our class but he had been a police explorer and automotive tech for the department since he was 16 so he had a lot of backing from his station.

[GMANtt]

Air Force Reserve was on my mind which is what I wanted to do before I got this job. Now, I dont want to lose it by going to basic training for 3 months.

[jchappies]

With DEA your going to need a BA at min.
I agree with the others, join the military and choose Military police as your job. Do your 4yrs and when you get out you will be at the top of those lists. You will have the training and experience that they will be looking for.
The military will prepare you for both federal and city\state law enforcement. While your in finish getting your BA.

[GMANtt]

So the reserves would be a waste of time?

[BoJackUSMC]

I think nothing is waste of time...
You can either keep trying with different department or finish your school first.
In my opinion, you are still young so you can afford to finish up your school and join the national guard or try out for police reserve program.

I am also in the hiring process with few Sheriff's Department right now, but I have applied to police reserve program also. The reserve program is my back up plan just in case I do not get hire be Sheriff's Department. I honestly think nothing is waste of time long as you are trying to improve yourself.

In fact, I just came back from Riverside Sheriff's written test right now. I passed the written test!!!

Good luck

[jchappies]

IMO and in your case I think full time military would benefit you more in the long run, not only do you need the military background you need the experience in LE and leadership skills it can provide.

[sendithit]

Join the military (USAF, USN, USCG, USA) and become a member of its military police. When you decide to end your military career/experience apply with a large Sheriff's Department. While you're working in the jails, go to college to get your BA and/or MA. Working the jails is a very valuable experience to have especially when you hit patrol running and get exposed to many hostile players (much like how our military warriors face in country). Not to short-change my PD brothers and sisters, but most of them dont get the jail experience and how it helps you deal with kuckleheads on patrol. Work hard but don't get taken advantaged of or taken for granted. By the time you hit the streets, you may or may not have the chops to go beyond patrol. Just know that your reputation will precede you and will help to determine if other specialty assignments will be made available to you. Standby for the politics and bs and try not to be discouraged. When appliying for federal positions, ensure you're not "aged out" (too old to apply) before you even start.

[Regulus]

... Not to short-change my PD brothers and sisters, but most of them dont get the jail experience and how it helps you deal with kuckleheads on patrol.

QFT

A little off topic, but a good story... I worked for a PD near East LA, and was chasing this guy on foot one night into East LA (yelling for him to stop the whole time) and was slowly gaining on him after about a half mile. He is headed straight for some projects and straight towards a Sheriff's unit parked on the grass. He started to deviate once he saw their unit, but the Deputies (who were out of their unit leaning against it) yelled, "HEY YOU!!! GET OVER HERE!" and the dude stopped in his tracks then trotted over to the Deputies and laid out prone in front of them. When I finally got there, one of the Deputies said, "Here you go".

Couple of emotions went through my head at that time:
1 - I was pissed that I chased this guy for farther than I wanted, and they didn't even have to un-arse their fender to get him.
2 - I was greatful to them that they assisted me and I didn't have to chase him anymore.
3 - I was in awe of the respect they got out in the field.

[GMANtt]

Nice story, Regulus. Maybe the perp knew the Deputy haha.

I think I'm going to visit my recruiter again, Reserves though, do the training and possibly ask for a deployment. I heard that USAF treats their own better than any branch and when they mean a 90 day deployment they actually follow through. I will try to get into Security Forces, Military Police.

I do need to mature and get back into peak physical condition like how I was a few years ago.

[Regulus]

I think you are making an excellent decision. It will be a great life experience and you will gain a tremendous amount of maturity and discipline that will give you an excellent start to you desired career.

[GMANtt]

I'm just a little sketch on being deployed. I've had more than a few friends die while deployed all of which were MP's.