I got turned down...

[antiseen]

When I looked into it a couple years ago it felt like you needed to be ex military or have a four year degree. Mostly ex military, it seemed.

[bonusweb]

I don't get it. I got turned down from a local department that has been hiring a lot.

I got an email pretty much saying "Hey you qualify, you passed background, and you were looked at by the hiring board. The board has concluded we don't want you. See you next year!"

I was seriously the textbook perfect candidate in my opinion.

Pros:
-No criminal record.
-No drug usage (not even weed).
-No heavy drinking (1 maybe 2 drinks a week, occasionally)
-No debt.
-No speeding tickets.
-Former police explorer.
-A.S. Degree.
-EMT, CPR, HazMat, and lots of certs from FEMA.
-Did well on the written test.
-Did great on the physical fitness test.
-Scored well on the oral board.
-Cleared background.
-Passed the polygraph with flying colors.
-Cleared 2 psych tests. (written and interview).
-Made it to the hiring board.

Cons:
-Don't speak Spanish. (English only)
-Haven't been on a ride along yet.


The academy holds 60 people and there were 52 candidates left! So why on earth did I get dumped?

Now here is what I'm going to do.
-Do a ride along. Heck, maybe two.
-Keep applying. I made it to the hiring board, so to me that means I can make it somewhere. I don't have to worry about a background investigation again. I'm not giving up. I want a job bad!

They are afraid you are too smart.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/court-oks-barring-high-iqs-cops/story?id=95836

[roostersgt]

Not likely in Cali. I have numerous colleagues who are practicing part-time lawyers, RN'S, physicians and dentists. Approximately a third of my agency, one of the largest in the US, possess undergraduate / graduate degrees, and the others are currently enrolled, or being encouraged to do so. There is no such thing as an over-educated LEO in Cali, perhaps on the rabidly progressive east coast, but definitely not here. Prior military is a huge plus in hiring, as it should be. America owes those folks.

[ldsnet]

Lots of departments to choose from. I know of a Sheriff office that denies VOLUNTEERS after they pass the background and poly and the rest. Their department, their rules. I know of a few folks that even paid their way through the academy and it still took a few rejection letters to get a job.

Keep applying at other departments. If law enforcement is right for you, you will find the right fit. Just think - maybe they did you a favor. Good luck

[tyrist]

Great it sounds like you have the ability to eventually get hired. So apply at another agency.

[mixicus]

Being not selected is very different than being DQ'd. Though possibly being a good overall candidate, you may not have been a "good fit" for that agency. They may have had X openings but you were X+1 on the list. Keep applying!!! Even in the pre-2008 good budget days (lots of hiring), people would be not selected for one agency only to be picked up by another the next week. Each agency has certain flavor they prefer.

[Adeodatus]

Keep trying.

The job market is changing. The economy is picking up and the balance is starting to shift more to favor the job applicant over the employer.

You don't know what the competition looked like, or if the agency could fund all 60 positions.

As long as you were not DQ'd for anything, it most likely will be a matter of time before you get picked up.

Keep trying.

Stay clean.

True. The city budgeted for 45 people for the last academy even though there is 60 slots. I'm quite sure the city I applied to could fund all 60 slots no problem.

Yeah I wasn't DQ'd so I'm just going to keep trying. Fingers crossed. I've already put in 2 apps to Sheriff departments. Just had some more opportunities pop up as of this morning.

Put yourself through an academy pre -service(extended or full time) then get your foot in the door as a Reserve.

When I looked into it a couple years ago it felt like you needed to be ex military or have a four year degree. Mostly ex military, it seemed.

Yeah, when I was doing my oral board I was sitting in a room of 60+ people. Everyone was talking about what branch of the military they were in and their tours/experiences overseas. I felt like I was the only civilian in the room. Really made me wish I did military right when I graduated from high school.

Lots of departments to choose from. I know of a Sheriff office that denies VOLUNTEERS after they pass the background and poly and the rest. Their department, their rules. I know of a few folks that even paid their way through the academy and it still took a few rejection letters to get a job.

Keep applying at other departments. If law enforcement is right for you, you will find the right fit. Just think - maybe they did you a favor. Good luck

Wow, that's crazy.

Yeah I'm considering the paid academy more and more. I just need to find a way to get the money for it. Times are getting hard.

I'm slowly seeing this as a blessing in disguise. There are plenty of better options out there. It just sucks not having a good job right out of college. I just graduated in December.

Great it sounds like you have the ability to eventually get hired. So apply at another agency.

Yeah I'm applying to everywhere I can.

Being not selected is very different than being DQ'd. Though possibly being a good overall candidate, you may not have been a "good fit" for that agency. They may have had X openings but you were X+1 on the list. Keep applying!!! Even in the pre-2008 good budget days (lots of hiring), people would be not selected for one agency only to be picked up by another the next week. Each agency has certain flavor they prefer.

Yup, lots of apps going out. Keeping my fingers crossed. I want it really bad and I'm willing to work my rear end off for it. I really hope I get picked up soon.

[justjeff]

I don't know how close to Tracy you are but A few things popped up on USAjobs when I searched police series 0083. Its great to get into and then transfer to something more rewarding/exciting later.

HERE

[Adeodatus]

I don't know how close to Tracy you are but A few things popped up on USAjobs when I searched police series 0083. Its great to get into and then transfer to something more rewarding/exciting later.

HERE

Oh cool! Thanks!

My buddy that was more qualified than me (bachelors degree and speaks 4 languages) also got denied from the hiring board. He lives in Tracy and will love this.

[eviioiive]

Maybe it's because you actually want to be a hose dragger....or as a last resort air force or coast guard.... Or as a last last last resort, a cop.

Could be the pubic / vocal opposition to sheriff Laurie smith. What happens if you get hired and decide you don't like your command staff..?

The gun nut part probably doesn't help....

[RedVines]

your age may have been a factor also. the trend at my agency as of late has been hiring more candidates in their 30s. being fresh out of college without much work/life experience is a disadvantage. Life experience goes a lot further in LE than education. I can personally attest to that.

[hey_scooter]

Apply again, but also add to your resume more. It honestly could have been just as simple as the hiring board wanting you to beef it up a little more.

[Adeodatus]

Maybe it's because you actually want to be a hose dragger....or as a last resort air force or coast guard.... Or as a last last last resort, a cop.

Could be the pubic / vocal opposition to sheriff Laurie smith. What happens if you get hired and decide you don't like your command staff..?

The gun nut part probably doesn't help....

lol hose dragger

Well, if you looked at my resume it could give off that feel. Since my degree is in Fire, plus I have EMT. But I have lots of criminal justice courses.

Yeah, politics can always be an issue.

your age may have been a factor also. the trend at my agency as of late has been hiring more candidates in their 30s. being fresh out of college without much work/life experience is a disadvantage. Life experience goes a lot further in LE than education. I can personally attest to that.

Yup, I'm in my early/mid 20's.

I've been working though since 2006. So I have a lot of work experience. Also all of its been stable work. Only had 3 jobs from 06 to now. Which I would think would show that I'm determined, that when I chose to do something I follow through and do it for a while.

Apply again, but also add to your resume more. It honestly could have been just as simple as the hiring board wanting you to beef it up a little more.

The letter they sent me asked me to not apply again for 1 year. I think that's nuts.

I've pretty much added everything I can, but i'm always looking for things to add to it. It's fairly a beefy resume.

[HUTCH 7.62]

Maybe you're the wrong color?

[Adeodatus]

Maybe you're the wrong color?

Possibly, I've heard of things like that happening. But I doubt it lol.