Will I have a problem getting a Top Secret Security Clearance?

Question

I am going for jobs in the upper echelon of law enforcement and they all require a Top secret security clearance. What areas do the investigators check besides credit history and arrest history? I have an impecable record when it comes to the aforementioned areas. However, I did smoke a few joints, but that was over 10 years ago.

Answer 1

Top Secret Clearances

A Top Secret clearance may be granted to those persons who have a "need-to-know" national security information, classified up to the Top Secret level, and who need unescorted access to FBI facilities, when necessary. This type of clearance will most often be appropriate for law enforcement officers assigned to FBI Task Forces housed in FBI facilities.

In addition to all the requirements at the Secret level, a background investigation, covering a 10-year time period, is required.

Once favorably adjudicated for a Top Secret security clearance, the candidate will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
What is the purpose of a background investigation?
A: The scope of the investigation varies with the level of the clearance being sought. It is designed to allow the government to assess whether a candidate is sufficiently trustworthy to be granted access to classified information. Applicants must meet certain criteria, relating to their honesty, character, integrity, reliability, judgement, mental health, and association with undesirable persons or foreign nationals.

Q: How long does it normally take to obtain a Top Secret security clearance?
A: It is the goal of the FBI to complete the processing for Top Secret security clearances within 6 to 9 months, once a completed application is submitted. The processing time for each individual case will vary depending upon its complexity

Q: What kind of inquiries will the FBI make into my background?
A: Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history. Additionally, interviews will be conducted of persons who know the candidate, and of any spouse divorced within the past ten years. Additional interviews will be conducted, as needed, to resolve any inconsistencies. Residences will be confirmed, neighbors interviewed, and public records queried for information about bankruptcies, divorces, and criminal or civil litigation. The background investigation may be expanded if an applicant has resided abroad, or has a history of mental disorders, or drug or alcohol abuse. A personal interview will be conducted of the candidate.


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Q: If I have a poor credit history, or other issues in my background, will this prevent me from getting a security clearance?
A: A poor credit history, or other issues, will not necessarily disqualify a candidate from receiving a clearance, but resolution of the issues will likely take additional time. If the issues are significant, they may prevent a clearance from being approved.

Answer 2

smoking a few joints 10 years ago will not be a problem as long as you were honest about it on your police application and did not lie about it.

Depending on the exact level, it is not unheard of to check with everywhere you worked in past 10 years, all of your landloards for 10 years, personally check all your references and of course your credit is a big, very big part of it.
If you have any past due things showing up they will have to be cleared up or a written plan to clear them presented

Answer 3

they will have you take a lie-detector test, and will ask you about drug use. the last time i checked, you cannot have used MJ more than 15 times in your life, and NOT AT ALL in the last 2-3. "hard" drugs cannot have been used at all.

they will ask you everywhere you have lived since age 18, and who with - they want names, numbers, and current addresses.

good luck - tell the truth. they will know otherwise.

Answer 4

They will check your immediate families history, interview anyone you may have ever lived with or were known to have a close association with, lie detector tests (maybe).

Answer 5

Don't get caught lying.
Hope that you have good honest friends and family.
If you are a liberal and hate America: Stop.

Answer 6

mental problems, drug use, closet gay/lesbian, foreign contacts, etc, or anything that can be used for blackmail. Just be forthcoming about your drug use.

Answer 7

I HAD A FRIEND WHO WAS AN ARMY RANGER AND THEY ASKED HIS TEACHERS ETC. THEY CAN BE PRETTY NOSY. AS FOR CLOSET GAY RELATIONSHIPS UNLESS ITS MILITARY THOSE PROBABLY WON'T COUNT.

Answer 8

they both count they were both about mental health