How much is your background looked into when you apply for the police academy?

Question

i want to apply to be in the police academy in southern cali but i need to now how much my past is going to effect that. i used to use drugs when i was 16 and my last job i quit after a confrontation(verbal) with the supervisors, i was 16. do i need to tell them about that? is that the sorta thing they ask during the polygraph. im 20 now so that was over 3 yrs ago. Help please!

serious answers only please.

Answer 1

You need to tell them everything. Its similar to the fire academy because you have to do a very extensive background check and they also do a polygraph test. So it would probably be in your best interest to be honest. But I'm sure being out of a job for 4 years is gonna look bad lol.Not to mention they are not gonna tolerate you yelling with them they will fire you so quick.

Answer 2

You need to tell them everything.  If you don't, it will come up in the poly and you won't get hired for sure.  If you tell the truth it will probably be OK.

Answer 3

they check for criminal records.  if your work history comes up and they ask why you left the job, just tell them that your boss was a jerk and you got in an argument.  that won't keep you from getting in.  if you don't do drugs now, it's best to say you tried them but didn't like them and don't do them, IMHO.

Answer 4

You need to tell them everything.......

Answer 5

I am not in Cali, but my husband is in Law Enforcement and so are friends and relatives. They will absolutely check everything. Whatever you have, tickets, arrests, etc. will come up. At least that is what happens here.

I don't know that they do a polygraph, but they will most likely do physical and psych exams. I don't think you have to tell them about the last job, unless there was an arrest or citation involved. Just be completely honest with everything they ask.

Are you completely drug-free? I mean, NOTHING? If you are, congratulations to you on being clean. We are losing my brother to drugs and I respect anyone who cleans themself up. If you are still doing anything illegal at all, do not apply until you are clean and have been that way for a long time.

Good luck to you!