I understand that during polygraph tests, they ask if you have ever drove under the influence. I did a few stupid things while i was in highschool and driving under the influence was one of them. Will this prevent me from being a police officer? I know that SFPD does not ask you what age you were and the circumstances you were in and this kind of honesty may hurt me. Am i stressing too much or is this a big deal?
2007-11-26 07:29:28 · 17 answers · asked by skeeet 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
NO. I didnt get pulled over or caught
2007-11-26 07:30:00 · update #1
It is pretty rare that honesty would ever hurt anyone, and especially during the polygraph That question is put there for the reason of detecting deception, and not to disqualify you becasuse you drove drunk.
In my experience, I have never seen anyone rejected because of honesty.
I have seen candidates rejected for doing poorly on the polygraph.
And every candidate I've seen be intentionally dishonest was rejected.
2007-11-26 08:38:37 · answer #1 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can still be a cop. They are not looking to incriminate you in the polygraph test. I know guys who had smoked weed occasionally and were accepted. The idea of the polygraph exam is to determine if you are honest. They will ask you questions that they expect most people to fail, you know in all honesty, most people have driven under the influence. They just want to see who would lie about it.
2007-11-26 07:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by Voice of Liberty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has driving under the influence i'm sure. and cops have probably gotten arrested for things too. you should not stress too much. you have never been arrested and you have never gotten caught. do they expect you to be an angel to be a cop! ha! nobody is an angel, judges and lawyers alike all get into trouble!
2007-11-26 07:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, especially since you weren't caught. There are many cops that don't have perfect backgrounds. Some of the best in law enforcement have made mistakes themselves. Don't stress over the past. Look towards your future. You'll do just fine.
2007-11-26 07:33:41 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Kym♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if the lie detector test doesn't show anything, why worry?
I think you'd make a great police officer since you are so honest and conscientious!
Good luck!
2007-11-26 07:41:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the answer to the followup question "have you driven under the influence since then?" will be more important.
Honesty will not hurt you. Attempting to cover-up your past will.
2007-11-26 07:33:04 · answer #6 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, just tell them they always do it on TV so it's fine - the cops always have a bottle of whiskey in their desk drawer which they have the occasional swig from before going out on a drugs bust (to which they are driving).
2007-11-26 07:33:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it will be a big deal. If anything, they'll probably ask if you'd ever been arrested for it. I wouldn't stress it for now.
2007-11-26 07:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you could still be a cop. Surely they respect honesty.
2007-11-26 07:40:15 · answer #9 · answered by Lou 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would answer the question honestly, and state that it was a long time ago, and you are not in the habit of doing that.
2007-11-26 07:32:34 · answer #10 · answered by bgee2001ca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋