BG, how far back?

[Vampyredark]

Hi!

My question is, how long do BG generally go back? 10 years? 15? My whole life? I find that impossible.

I might be DQ from an agency because I was let go from a fast food place back in 2003. My BGI knows, of course, but he said this could be an automatic DQ because I forgot to pay for some food I had ordered, I was sent home after a rush and forgot to pay for it. Yes, it happens, just as easily as one forgets everyday things.
Some of you will understand, but some of you wont because you have never worked in a fast food environment.

Thanks!

[SBCT]

Every agency is different

[CaptMike]

Most go back 10 years for work history, but criminal history is your entire life. Some things may be an automatic dq, such as a history of domestic violence, others are looked at on a case by case basis. Always be truthfull and have a complete explanation for any incidents and if your meant to be a coo you will. I believe that everything happens fir a reason, so if you make it, great, if you dont, there may be something better out there for you. Good luck.

[jdubs71]

Part of the BI's job is to see how you react under pressure. Telling an applicant that they may not pass is unprofessional especially if they don't have all the facts, plust they don't make the final decision. I had a background investigator tell me something along the lines of "this dosen't look good". It must've not mattered to the boss because I got the job. Just tell the truth no matter how embrassing the situation may be. The poly will hopefully clear things up.

[retired]

Part of the BI's job is to see how you react under pressure. Telling an applicant that they may not pass is unprofessional especially if they don't have all the facts, plust they don't make the final decision. I had a background investigator tell me something along the lines of "this dosen't look good". It must've not mattered to the boss because I got the job. Just tell the truth no matter how embrassing the situation may be. The poly will hopefully clear things up.

With respect, that is your opinion. It may also be a measure of testing the applicant to ascertain if they have provided all of the info concerning an incident. May does not mean they won't. "Doesn't look good," is just another way of stating it. The fact you obtained the job may mean in your case, that it didn't prevent you from getting hired if in fact there was "something." It could matter in someone else's case.

OP, once you became aware that you had failed to pay for the food, did you then advise your mgr. of that fact and make good. If you became aware later and believed too much time had passed to matter or you no longer worked there, that may make the difference. If you recalled that you hadn't paid and no longer worked there, but paid it, that would probably impress your BI.

Unless of course you remembered the week before you told your BI.

Good luck.

[Petro6golf]

It all depends and almost everything is explainable. You forgot to pay for food over 10 years ago. This will not dq you in and of itself. What wil dq you is this plus a theft conviction, plus a dui, plus traffic tickets etc. If all you have is this that is nothing. Everyone has stolen something at some point, everyone has smoked marijuana, everyone has some sort of traffic ticket etc etc.

If that is all you have i would not worry. The state of CA says "no felony convictions" in able to be an leo; each dept has their own standards they can add to. I have cop friends that have taken steroids, stolen stuff, smoked weed, taken extacy, have a dui etc. Just be honest and try. If one dept says no just keep trying. Someone will hire you if you are marketable and a decent person that will do well at the job.

[Vampyredark]

Thanks for all the responses!

If it is just for ten years, then I hope that is not a issue from something that happened around 2003. Otherwise, I have no felonies or misdemeanors. No real reason why I should not pass a bg.

I came into work the next day and they just called me into the office immediately, and asked me to pay for it. I did, then they said its considered stealing and let me go in a very rude way.

I hope I am able to get this job. I have another app for another agency, but the current one I am in BG for is the one I have my sincerest hopes and prayers on.

Thanks again for all the responses!

[Vampyredark]

It all depends and almost everything is explainable. You forgot to pay for food over 10 years ago. This will not dq you in and of itself. What wil dq you is this plus a theft conviction, plus a dui, plus traffic tickets etc. If all you have is this that is nothing. Everyone has stolen something at some point, everyone has smoked marijuana, everyone has some sort of traffic ticket etc etc.

If that is all you have i would not worry. The state of CA says "no felony convictions" in able to be an leo; each dept has their own standards they can add to. I have cop friends that have taken steroids, stolen stuff, smoked weed, taken extacy, have a dui etc. Just be honest and try. If one dept says no just keep trying. Someone will hire you if you are marketable and a decent person that will do well at the job.

Thanks for the input. I feel I am capable and qualified. I currently work as an armed patrol guard, patrolling client properties and responding to their calls for service. I know this is not really comparable to Policing on a large scale, but when I did my oral interview they liked that I have licenses to do such work and am trusted with a company vehicle, etc....
I also have a two year degree in Criminal Justice, among other college certs I have obtained. I have tried to demonstrate that I can complete tasks by obtaining my education, and showing an interest in the field with my current job. I am ready for this type of Career. Maybe Ill keep everyone posted via this thread.

Thanks again!

[Petro6golf]

Quit tripping and make it your goal to get hired. Everyone has an excuse on why they cant get hired or why this and that. If your told "no" then try with the next dept. No one gets hired with the first place they apply. Most cops (myself included) applied to tons of places before they were hired. Ive put in at least 75 applications and went through at least 15 bg before I was hired and I have nothing bad in my bg plus college and military.

[glennbtw]

I worked with a guy who was arrested by the CHP for climbing the Golden Gate Bridge in some type of protest years ago. He was hooked and booked and charged with what I don't remember. He still got the job. Good officer. I know it's not the same as your situation, but it does show that stuff happens and you can still get hired.

[Vampyredark]

This is actually my second BG check. The first was for Corrections, and I passed that BG. That was in 2006.

[Just-in]

Some people get picked up the first application they submit, some within the first several, and some never. I'm in the same pool as you and feel I'll get hired when I'm supposed to at the place I am intended to work. It is discouraging to be rejected but you need the correct mindset to continue.

So far I've submitted over 20 applications. I've been through one complete background Psych and all and was not selected with no explanation given why. Many interviews, a few PHS's submitted and rejected along with apps with generic responses.

I currently work for an agency in a civilian position after not being hired as an officer when that recruitment was open. I went through a background and poly to get this far and I love the opportunity to get a taste for the career and lifestyle.

On a side note, if you are asked whats in your background in your first interview, you disclose everything, and they still put you through the background process that there should give you an impression of the agencies disqualification criteria. Now if you don't disclose something when they find it that will present an issue...

Good luck to you.

[Vampyredark]

Thanks for the input Just-In.

I know my background is started because people have gotten notification from by BGI. I am now scheduled for a Polygraph test. I guess being fired from a job over 10 years ago might not matter, but I will still post about it if anyone cares.

[retired]

...Everyone has stolen something at some point, everyone has smoked marijuana, everyone has some sort of traffic ticket etc etc.

Nope to one and two. The poly examiner had a difficult time believing #2 and perhaps being a teen during the 1960s had something to do with it, but I've never smoked the stuff to this day.

With respect, absolute statements have a habit of not always being correct and probably shouldn't be made in most instances.

[Vampyredark]

^ You may have never smoked marijuana, but I think you have stolen something in your life. For example, have you ever got a water cup at a fast food place, and got soda instead?? Well, if you have, you have stolen something. How about taking a longer break at work than whats allotted? That's stealing time.
Anyway, this post is to inform that I have taken my polygraph. It was about 4 hours long, and exhausting since the room was extremely warm. Even the examiner was suffering a bit. Besides the fact that he took a phone call for about 15 mins during asking me questions before I was hooked up, it took a really long time. He said I had a reaction to 3 of the 25 questions. Lets just say, I now know why polygraphs are not accepted in courts. I have not been disqualified or anything. I could still be fine in the process. But, its discouraging that I have three "reactions" when that should not have been the case.

All I could do was say, I have told you everything honestly in regards to this, and its upsetting that I can have a reaction when I should not have.
I have no faith in polygraph tests.