Pros and cons of self sponsoring yourself through the Acadmey vs going as recruit? Does it strengthen your application being a certified officer? Have had some non selects and just thinking of putting myself through the Acadmey and coming out and applying. Getting on as a recruit is extremely difficult, in Texas Atleast. But I have zero experience in law enforcement. Been EMS my whole life…
Dallas, TX...
I spent about 8 1/2 months going through this entire process. Interviews, backgrounds, polygraph, everything. I passed the written test, passed the PAT, passed the initial interview, passed the panel interview, passed the polygraph, passed and made it through the background investigation. I got so close that I could almost taste it.
Its been quiet for 2 months since my BI, "turned in my file for chain of command to review"... I called and asked for an update. normally they send a letter notifying you of a non select or disqualification which I haven't got.......but I found out the Chief did not sign off on my file. They may have forgot to send it maybe?
I believe this may stem from 2024 when I applied to about four departments at the same time. Looking back, I realize that was probably a mistake. I was working full time, going to school full time, being a father, and trying to complete multiple Personal History Statements at the same time. I ended up rushing through them because I was trying to meet deadlines, and I made mistakes with residence dates and a few numbers being wrong, or address being incorrect. There was even a PHS that I forgot to sign, or a Page missing... just terrible..
Looking back, I should have slowed down or even withdrawn my applications until I had everything organized correctly. Instead, I pushed forward, and I feel like those mistakes have followed me ever since.
If I was in their shoes, I would be very skeptical about hiring somebody with those errors, and I completely understand... thats why my BI did a long deep dive background investigation to confirm everything I've stated was true.
The hardest part is feeling like I have created a reputation for myself because of those inconsistencies. When other agencies contact departments I previously applied with, I worry they see all the applications and assume the worst, and just wont even look my way..
What bothers me the most is that none of those mistakes were attempts to hide anything. I was never trying to conceal arrests, debts, tickets, child support issues, or anything that would affect my character. I explained to my background investigator that the mistakes came from being overwhelmed and trying to keep up with everything, not from trying to be dishonest. Some of the errors came from me trying to remember where I lived at 14 years ago. (ive moved alot due to school, family stuff).
If it counts for anything, I know I have made mistakes, but I also know my overall history shows who I am. I have never been evicted, never been arrested, my last traffic citation was four years ago and was dismissed, my credit score is around 718, I have no collections, and I am current on my child support. I have spent over 10 years working in healthcare, taking care of people, and trying to build a better future. I also have had a stable job for over 6 1/2 years...
I just don’t know what else I could have done differently. Going through eight and a half months of this process, passing everything they asked of me, and getting that close makes it difficult to accept.
I truly believed I had a fair opportunity with Dallas, especially knowing the department needs officers. I thought my experience, my background, and my willingness to be honest about my mistakes would outweigh the errors I made in those PHS documents.
Right now, I just feel like I dug myself into a hole that I am struggling to climb out of, and I don’t know what more I can do to prove that those mistakes do not define who I am. I feel I have a tail of PHS's that are dragging behind me, and I'm becoming a "career applicant"... so disappointed in myself..... I cant blame anybody but myself.... I even considered putting myself through the academy, but theres no guarantee, id get hired.. even as a certified LEO.
does anybody have advice? Just pretty lost right now..
Pending the call. Its been over a month since I have gotten an update from my BI, Was told "the 1st or 2nd week of July" ill hear something. He did find a few mess ups, wrong date where I lived at 10 years ago, but nothing too bad. is anybody familiar with this process? Last I heard anything was June 3rd. I completed and passed poly, written, panel interview, now just pending completion of backgrounds. . Not sure what to think....... my anxiety thinks if he wanted to DQ me he wouldn't have completed and called all my references , employers, neighbors etc.
Ive applied to about 14 departments in my span.. My original PHS is what did it. I made the mistake of applying to 9 different departments at one single time, because in 2023, I wanted to get in, anywhere and I didnt care where it was. I just wanted my foot in the door.
Lone behold, now you have 9 different PHS to finish in a matter of 2 weeks and by rushing, mistakes were made, address dates incorrect. Some departments as for 10 years of residency, some ask for a life time. Every place is different.
Ive moved about 16 times in my life. (im in my 30's) from college, parents, apartments, short term leases. It appeared as there was no stablilty. after I corrected the issues, and copies of leases and the whole 9 yards, everything is legit. But what happens now? this new information, does not reflect the previous departments booklets... the Inconsistencies, and information not matching.
I get embarrassed having to list ALL the departments ive applied to with the same reason for the outcome is "incorrect PHS". I look like a terrible applicant. But ive also done my due diligence, owned up to my mistakes.
Im finishing backgrounds with a major city in texas, and my BI now, has the plain ol attitude you would expect. But reality hit me today, of how awful I look.
a little background on me. Ive worked as a first responder for over a decade, a few traffic tickets, nothing within 4 years tho. credit is fine, one thing in collections. no drug use, been employed for 6+ years full time at my job. NO child support owed, passed the polygraph, psych, panel interview, PAT and now...... the last checkbox is... backgrounds. I feel like such a failure, not only I have a massive paper trail on my back of applications, it looks like im unprepared, not organized and quite frankly, dont care.
I believe I dug myself a deep hole... that I cant get out of... This was the first time I got to explain to a BI, owning up to the mistakes, address dates being incorrect, the reasoning. A big part played in apartment managers giving the wrong dates 10-15 years ago, which I hate using that excuse to shift blame, but that area is true.
I explained the whole detail, and ultimately, it falls on me. But why would he trust me when 9 other booklets are a mess? I wouldn't.... if I was him.. but I spent months digging deep, calling corporate offices and got all my past history correct.
I feel like every thing I submitted hes on edge.... I dont blame him. theres ALOT of work to do. and he mentioned its a 50/50 shot of me passing or not... sometimes in this field, digging a hole like I did, can permanently make you unfavorable.
He asked me for a full list of places ive applied to. which I submitted, but theres nothing missed, but im assuming hes wanting to see if im ontop of things.
Im hoping, with what I said, and not that it makes it any better.... but the errors that occurred on the other PHS's, nothing was criminal, never been arrested, no domestic violence... its strictly the addresses that were scrwed up....
If I dont get this job, I may permanently be done. My life long dream of wanting to become an officer, since I was a police explorer when I was 13 years old, would crumble. Ive created such a mess and dug a deep hole, that it may be impossible to get out of... Not sure if any other LEO's, or BI's have any input.. The last thing I ever want to do is waste somebodies time.
The one thing that gives me an inch of hope is, him stating "this is alot, and I have ALOT of work to do"... but in my mind, and from experience from the candidate side.... you could disqualify me right now, if you really wanted to.... I just dont know what to think or do... I want to make myself proud, make my son proud, but.. theres a time you just have to realize maybe.. its not for you... any input or anything would help.. its been radio silence since this morning explaining everything.. Im big on accountability, and learning lessons, and have had multiple learning experiences..... help.... I just feel anything I say, comes back with a more difficult question. Its a catch 22 scenario....
Probably jumping the gun here, so I apologize in advance. I completed all the necessary steps: entrance exam, PAT, PHS, polygraph, and interview panel. I passed all of them. After my last interview during the first week of April, I was told that once I passed the interview, my file would be forwarded to backgrounds.
It has now been over a month and a half. They were talking about the June academy, but I have not been assigned a BI yet and nobody has called. It has been pretty quiet. I reached out about two weeks ago, and one of the Applicant Processing Unit personnel said my file had been “picked up,” but it has been quiet ever since. I believe a second academy starts late July as well.
Does anybody know if this is fairly normal? I do not mean to jump the gun or sound nervous, but I also do not want to be annoying and keep bothering them. I know no news is usually good news. Maybe I am overthinking it or just going based off what they told me about wanting us in the June class. Is this fairly normal? Thanks.