I'm applying for a correctional officer position and in the background investigation phase of the process. The background investigator contacted me for the background interview over the phone and it was revealed to me I had been arrested on two occasions in 1995 for misdemeanor obstruction charges that were dropped and case dismissed. I honestly don't have any recolection of this incident so I answered "no" when asked if I've ever been arrested. I got in touch with the local police department that arrested me and they won't provide me with the copy of the arrest report but would cooperate with the background investigator, I let my background investigator know. I called the background investigator today to get a status update on my application and I was told he was still working on it and someone from recruiting would get in touch with me within a week to let me know if I've advanced to the next stage in the process. Do I still have a chance or is it over for me?
2007-12-05 04:23:31 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Just to clarify, I was arrested for obstruction once, then I likely forgot to show up for court and arrested again for failure to appear. That is the only logical explanation I can recall. Just for the record, I had nothing to do with any of the charges against me, that's likely why the prosecutor didn't or couldn't prosecute.
2007-12-05 04:25:05 · update #1
I was just asking a question, some of you sound like you took it personally with your responses. Take it easy.
2007-12-05 05:08:08 · update #2
I hear this all the time and not saying that you are lying, but being arrested only once isn't something people forget. I could see if you were arrested multiple times, then forgetting one might happen. But how does someone forget one time. It's like marriage, you never forget the first time you get married. Maybe you were drunk and can't remember; but not stating in your application that you've been arrested is a huge factor and you might be disqualified. You do still have a chance though. I have hired individuals that have omitted their arrest, but only after finding out from the arresting officers what the situation was and if the candidate (you) has no other check marks against him/her. i.e. work issues and drug usage, just to name a few. Good luck.
Just so you know, it isn't a conviction that the investigators look for. It's the criminal conduct which is important in background investigations. Trust me I do this for a living.
Edit: Nothing personal, I just hope the investiagtor is cool and doesn't take it too serious. Know what I mean.
2007-12-05 04:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by Speedracer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How could you forget being arrested? I'm sure you didnt put it on your application since you werent convicted of any crime but this job requires a much deeper investigation than a regular position with a company. You would have been better off to have been very open and they would have been happy to hear your story. Since you either have a cognitive problem or an honesty problem, you probably will not be considered for the job.
2007-12-05 04:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Diane M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think most people would remember being arrested. It sounds like you dropped the ball on this one. It appears that you might have been trying to hide your past from the background investigator. You might still have a chance, depending on what the police department tells the investigator.
2007-12-05 04:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You lied. Forgetting to show up to court is irresponsible. There is no way you will ever become a corrections officer or any other law enforcement official.
2007-12-05 04:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋