Application processing

[u/[deleted]]

[u/GoldenStateRedditor]

Law enforcement jobs, even civilian ones, require a high level of public trust. You'll be accessing sensitive and confidential databases, have access to criminal records, and likely will be privey to some criminal investigations/warrants before a suspect might even realize police are aware of their crimes.

They need to cover all their bases when doing the background investigation.

[u/GoldenStateRedditor → u/[deleted]]

I was in a similar situation. Just do your best, explain anything you can't. Use people you work with, neighbors, friends, family, classmates. Unfortunately, it might be uncomfortable to ask those who you're not extremely close with for this sort of information.

[u/mrose0629 → u/[deleted]]

For this part I felt like I didn’t know that many people who could be used as references but I asked anyways and I was surprised about how enthusiastic some people were about it. If you have some you’re on the fence about using ask anyways! You never know, they may be more than happy to be a reference for you.

[u/LeaveLost1885]

Background check will go from the minute you were born. So that question on the application is nothing.

I had to have the address of the house I lived at from birth to 3. I knew the street name just not the number so Google maps was my best friend.

The things I really didn't know, I filled in with N/As and wrote a comment to my investigator. I also emailed/texted questions. He didn't mind at all. Like it asked for my neighbors info, I had just moved here 2 months prior to my background packet, I didn't know these people. He told me not to worry about it.

This will be the most invasive process of your life. If you aren't ready for that, it's best to quit while your ahead. If you are ready for that, then go for it.

I think I stole a pack of gum when I was 8ish years old. I don't think my dad paid for it, from my recollection. 😂 Even that was on there.

[u/Consistent-Ease-6656]

Would you feel comfortable with your average Walmart rando being able to access your driver history and social security number?

There is more to this job than “just answer the phone and send someone”. If you don’t like the application, find an easier job so you don’t have to think so hard to fill out an application.

[u/Stricken_Conscience]

no, it doesn't matter about your elementary schools. most of those individual elements mean nothing. the point is to engage you in a pointlessly brutal grind which is secretly just an "honesty test" so they can disqualify you on the basis of various arbitrary things or maybe catch you lying and disqualify you for that.

it's a trap, and it's undignified, and I wish they wouldn't do it. also, it seems to be common practice in this industry.

[u/10_96 → u/Stricken_Conscience]

Tell me you know nothing without telling me you know nothing...

[u/Seasalt-Butterfly731]

I also recently applied and havent gotten to that process yet. If they will even go through that far lol, not sure what to expect at this point! But you got it! I heard it is a lot, but will be worth it Im sure! :)

[u/EMDReloader]

Then don't do it.