I am in the first hiring stage of becomming a officer, however one thing is in the back of my mind that's made me apprehensive since I wanted this career path. One of the questions on the app. is "Have you committed a felony and NOT been caught for it?" Well, I have. It was not a drug related , or anything that drastic, but if caught it would have been a possible felony charge, maybe a misdemeanor since I have no record at all. It was about 4 years ago and I know it was wrong and I know I F'd up but I am afraid on how to answer this question. Do I be honest about it and risk a possible chance on them investigating it since I was not caught? or be honest on the background and poly test and know that I was honest and would be honest at all costs. Is that not the idea of a poly?? Thanks!
2006-12-09 15:11:44 · 11 answers · asked by mgroff80 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Look, very few people would be exempt in this issue. The question being, "could have been charged as a felony.." Well, most people have commited an act that if caught would COULD be a felony. Anyone that has ever drank a beer and drove a car COULD have been charged with a felony. You werent specific in what your crime was so it is tough to answer. My advice is this, do not tell them!! And no MATTER WHAT, DO NOT WAIVER!! Anything you tell them STICK TO THE STORY!! Polygraphs are not to detect if you have ever done something so bad they are to establish a level of deception within a person. SOme answers on here are bogus and Im sure some willl roll their eyes at mine. Anyone that has ever taken a pencil COULD be charged with a felony. Burglary if they could prove your intent was to steal the pencil. If it is petty, dont sweat it. What most people dont understand is a background investigation. Picture this, you will write down 5 people that you know for a reference, investigators will ask those 5 people to name 5 more, and then those 5 to list 5 more, etc. If they want dirt, they will get it. Within your first 3 references they will have access to 15 people you have no control over what they will say. If you are meant to be a cop, it will happen.
2006-12-09 18:48:24 · answer #1 · answered by crawschecker 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The question is "did you know back when you did whatever it was that it was a felony?" Do you know for a fact now what the current charges would be?
I don't believe you could honestly say that you "knew" you committed a felony if you don't even know now whether or not it could have been a misdemeanor!
I think poly tests can be made to scare people. If you feel so much anticipation about it I would recommend (ready for this) talking to a doctor about getting some sort of temporary anxiety pills.
A doctor might be able to put this to rest. What is the statute on that crime then and now? Would the charge now be a felony? I still think it's up to the prosecuting attorney as to whether or not which charge would be filed on you so stop worrying so much because you didn't knowingly have the knowledge to say what the charge would have been in the first place.
................think about it...................
2006-12-09 15:30:24 · answer #2 · answered by MsEagleTX 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honesty is the best policy.
If it wasn't a felony, they will be impressed that you were honest about it. Also, if you lie and even if you pass the poly, there is a possibility that it could come out during your background check, which goes on even while you are in the academy, and while you are a probationary officer. It is really scary to see someone get called into the Captains office and never see them back at work again, and then find out it was because they lied about their past.
2006-12-09 16:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're petite forget about becoming a law enforcement officer, nobody will hire you or want to work with you because so much of LE activity is physical. If you can't spell college correctly, it's unlikely you will go. Enlisting in the military is the fast-track to an LE career.
2016-05-23 01:11:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say honesty is always the best policy. This is especially true in police work. Don't lie. Tell the truth. Even if it looks bad. They will recognize your honesty and respect that.
You do risk the chance that they will choose to investigate, but that is something you will just have to live with. If you don't want to take that chance than you need to find another profession.
It may sound harsh but it's the truth. Be honest or find another line of work.
2006-12-09 15:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by scsd126jdw 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Answer honestly. They will find out on the polygraph anyway. Lying on your application is cause to not hire you, or to fire you when they find out. If everything else about you is okay, and you have learned from your mistakes, it will probably be okay. Unless you murdered someone or are still in possession of stolen property, it's unlikely that they will start an investigation now.
2006-12-10 10:19:04 · answer #6 · answered by blondie172 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cops lie all the time. What better way to becommmmming a cop than lying on your application? With your poor spelling and history of felonious drug activity, I'm sure you'll make an excellent candidate. How ironic that you now want to be employed in a profession that focuses on incarcerating the criminal you once were. Why don't you cut out the middle man and exile yourself from society rather than pursue a career in hypocrisy?
2006-12-09 15:34:39 · answer #7 · answered by B Tru 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋
as long as no one was hurt then I would say just keep your mouth shut. but if they find out ,then you could be disciplined for lying on the app. If you say yes , then they could investigate the incident and the statute of limitations may still be in affect.
2006-12-09 15:26:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
answer honestly. because i think they give u a lie detector test too. and if they find out that your lieing about it then they will probably not want you. just answer honestly and if you have any other questions you could ask any officers you may know
2006-12-09 15:43:48 · answer #9 · answered by Dont get Infected 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stay honest dude. That shows alot about your character.
2006-12-09 16:12:29 · answer #10 · answered by J 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋