Background Investigation

[laylow]

I recently applied for a police officer trainee position with OPD; however, I'm a little worried about my past. How far back do most background investigators check? The most recent of the two instances was 17 years ago, and the the other instance was almost 24 years ago. Is this something that I should be worried about? I'm a little reluctant to post the details, but I will pm you if you can advise.
Thanks!

[CalCop]

Depends on what it was.

[trob]

well, they ask about everything you've EVER done....and polygraph you about it..... so, that would include 17 years ago

[diverwcw]

Best to disclose it than let them make a decision based on your current life. If you are deceptive, you are automatically out of the running. Plus, they can terminate you anytime down the road if they find you lied on your background package.

If OPD washes you out, keep on applying to other agencies.

[Falconis]

well you're gonna have to tell someone what you did to get a better answer than I don't know

[Marty33]

Just disclose it. I guarantee you they will find it. They talked to people I never thought they would talk to, and discovered minor incidents (school fistfights, etc) that I had forgotten about. No one is perfect, but if you lie on your app and are DQ'd for dishonesty, you will never work as a cop in this state.

[fal_762x51]

Never lie. You will get black listed.

[Caddis]

If it's of a criminal nature it will be on your rap sheet, however, if it's a minor criminal offense it may not be becasue certain offense are not reported to NCIC. One of the questions on your background is if you had police contacts. They usually check local agencies where you lived for contacts even if it did not rise to the level of a crime. This is where detentions will show up since they are not reported as an arrest. Traffic tickets usually only matter based on your current driving history. DUI's are okay if a lot of years have gone by and it was a one time event. You have to show you learned from your mistakes and time shows this.

Other than this since you did not give any details, if it's drug use, there are no standards and every agency has their own criteria. If a few minor things happened a long time ago, and you did not repeat this behavior for many years after, it will probably not be a big deal.

I find squeaky clean applicants sort of suspicous anyway and look harder at them looking for the lie.

[Regaberto]

Tell the truth. Most likely their going to find out about it anyways and if you lie your no good to them. It's best to disclose everything up front and let them judge. When I was hired they asked for any criminal charges, there was no time table. I've heard for minor things like smoking pot a few times they do have a timetable and will hire you if was so many years ago. A lot goes into your background.

[IA300]

Just disclose it. I guarantee you they will find it. They talked to people I never thought they would talk to, and discovered minor incidents (school fistfights, etc) that I had forgotten about. No one is perfect, but if you lie on your app and are DQ'd for dishonesty, you will never work as a cop in this state.

This ^^^ Disclose it and explain it. There are two major things you can be fired for, one is dishonesty the other is insubordination.
If you choose not to disclose and they find it, kings X for them and any other agency. I say that because usually one of the questions in the background packet is if you have applied at any other agency. They will talk to each other.
It's in the past and you have not repeated the behavior (hopefully) , so that is more important than not disclosing and them finding it.

[Petro6golf]

Read the bg packett carefully. Some of them say "have you EVER" and some say "In the last 10 years" or "since you were 18". Just disclose it. if its no big deal and its old then its no big deal and its old. If its something major they will dq you weather you tell them or not. better to tell them than not, get caught and ruin your career.

[code33]

Look at the PHS form for peace officers for some of the things you will have to disclose.

http://www.post.ca.gov/forms.aspx

[laylow]

There's no doubt that I will be completely honest, and disclose everything I can remember from my past. Wish me luck! Thanks again guys!!

[laylow]

Look at the PHS form for peace officers for some of the things you will have to disclose.
http://www.post.ca.gov/forms.aspx

This is a great link!!

[TapRackBang]

Be honest, but have some common sense as well.

I'll just say that people have gone to prison for admitting to felonies during the background check process. True story.