[verdugo60]

After a long time considering different avenues and getting a lot of good advice off of here I have decided to try for some local PD positions in the Denver, CO area.

Turned in my first one today, supposedly will get a letter of invite to test(obstacle course and written test) if I meet minimum qualifications, which I think I do.

Only thing I worry about is that I have had 3 tickets in the last 5 years. Two for speeding, one for running a "pink" light. Don't have anything else in my past. Tried to disclose full info, but did not put anything under "action taken against license" since I just didn't know.

I am planning to shotgun apply to all the PD's in the area that are hiring with intent to put recruits through the academy. If I get hired by one before I graduate this coming December, all the better. I can finish the last semester doing online or night classes.

Anyways, having trouble sleeping partly because of falling asleep on the couch earlier and partly because I can't stop visualizing hopping my big butt over the 6' wall and running through the other obstacles. It's gonna be epic!

Just thought I would update ya'll and check in since it's been a while.

[DaBigBR]

When they ask about action against your license, they're almost certainly looking for suspensions, revocations, and the like.

[verdugo60]

Oh, gotcha. I answered that in another section. Never had any.

[verdugo60]

You guys are supposed to tell me how, if you were on a hiring board you would hire me first. And that I won't even be out of breath after the agility test. And how I will have a meteoric rise in the department and get hired from my very first application!

[JBaird22]

OP, I am going to tell you this, LE, is a profession where nothing ever seems to go right. So, be prepared for rejection, having your dreams pissed on and other forms of disappointment. That said, if you really want to be a cop, you'll keep pressing on. Coping mechanisms are your friend.

[Patchman]

It's usually a very long road before walking across that stage to get sworn in. Just ask some of the other posters here!

You just started, so... keep the faith and your eyes on the ball.

[Rabbi]

Originally Posted by verdugo60

Only thing I worry about is that I have had 3 tickets in the last 5 years. Two for speeding, one for running a "pink" light.
:

You need to kill that "pink" light stuff. You ran a red light. It was your choice and it was a poor choice.

In general, if you do anything other than accept what you did, it looks like you have problems with honesty, reality or a number of other issues.

This is something that will help you.

[KiloBravo]

Originally Posted by Patchman

It's usually a very long road before walking across that stage to get sworn in. Just ask some of the other posters here!

You just started, so... keep the faith and your eyes on the ball.

Agreed! Good luck OP, and I second what Rabbi said about admitting any wrong doings immediately and be truthful through the entire process.

Now if you all will excuse me, I am going to get ready to go for a run.

[kayl]

Originally Posted by rabbi

you need to kill that "pink" light stuff. You ran a red light. It was your choice and it was a poor choice.

In general, if you do anything other than accept what you did, it looks like you have problems with honesty, reality or a number of other issues.

This is something that will help you.

+1...

[TMNKWD]

People make mistakes. You learn from those mistakes and you don’t make excuses for those mistakes. Whatever it is, you own it – after all,it’s yours! There are no “pink” lights. There are red lights and yellow lights and green lights. What color was the light when you entered the intersection? What are the consequences for entering the intersection when the light is that color? Every day you live, you learn. You’re not going to be excluded because you ran a red light – that’s an excuse. You won’t get accepted because you don’t know the difference between being truthful and making excuses for your behavior.

Hey, good luck though. ;-)

[TMNKWD]

Originally Posted by rabbi

you need to kill that "pink" light stuff. You ran a red light. It was your choice and it was a poor choice.

In general, if you do anything other than accept what you did, it looks like you have problems with honesty, reality or a number of other issues.

This is something that will help you.

+1,000.00097

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by JBaird22

OP, I am going to tell you this, LE, is a profession where nothing ever seems to go right. So, be prepared for rejection, having your dreams pissed on and other forms of disappointment. That said, if you really want to be a cop, you'll keep pressing on. Coping mechanisms are your friend.

Roger that, I am simply trying to be positive. I know that for many it is a matter of years rather than months to be hired. I also know it's what you make of it a lot of times.

[Top_Shot_31]

Some of the best advice I heard regarding applications for LE jobs is this: There is NOTHING in your life that you have done that is worse than lying about it.

So when I fill out applications and it asks if I've ever been fired, I say yes, I have. It may have been when I was in high school, and it may have been for petty reasons, but they never asked why. They just asked if. After being honest with yourself (and with the department's application), it becomes easier to do and you begin to stop trying to justify they things you've done. Just be 100% honest, don't try to justify anything, and let the chips fall where they may.

Best of luck to you. It sucks reading some of the posts on here about guys who have been applying for two or three years and getting zero bites. Hopefully the process is quicker and more painless for you.

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by TMNKWD

People make mistakes. You learn from those mistakes and you don’t make excuses for those mistakes. Whatever it is, you own it – after all,it’s yours! There are no “pink” lights. There are red lights and yellow lights and green lights. What color was the light when you entered the intersection? What are the consequences for entering the intersection when the light is that color? Every day you live, you learn. You’re not going to be excluded because you ran a red light – that’s an excuse. You won’t get accepted because you don’t know the difference between being truthful and making excuses for your behavior.

Hey, good luck though. ;-)

The pink light statement was simply an attempt at humor. I obviously took ownership of it as I paid the ticket promptly and was up front.

The light WAS yellow when I entered the intersection, the pink joke was because I wasn't clear when it turned red. Should I have entered with heavy traffic and a yellow light? Probably not, and normally I wouldn't. Only reason I did was because I was at the time working with a severely handicapped individual that was about to lose it to anxiety and was about ready to put his head through the window. All the same, I had to pay the consequences.

Thanks for the good advice, and point taken on not making excuses, just being upfront.

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by Top_Shot_31

Some of the best advice I heard regarding applications for LE jobs is this: There is NOTHING in your life that you have done that is worse than lying about it.

So when I fill out applications and it asks if I've ever been fired, I say yes, I have. It may have been when I was in high school, and it may have been for petty reasons, but they never asked why. They just asked if. After being honest with yourself (and with the department's application), it becomes easier to do and you begin to stop trying to justify they things you've done. Just be 100% honest, don't try to justify anything, and let the chips fall where they may.

Best of luck to you. It sucks reading some of the posts on here about guys who have been applying for two or three years and getting zero bites. Hopefully the process is quicker and more painless for you.

Thanks for the well wishes. I hate seeing some of the dudes on here that can't catch a break, it sucks for them and is disheartening for me. I'm just hoping that with enough departments hiring and my Spanish and maybe a little luck I will get a fair shot. We will see...

[Rabbi]

Originally Posted by verdugo60

The pink light statement was simply an attempt at humor. I obviously took ownership of it as I paid the ticket promptly and was up front.

The light WAS yellow when I entered the intersection, the pink joke was because I wasn't clear when it turned red. Should I have entered with heavy traffic and a yellow light? Probably not, and normally I wouldn't. Only reason I did was because I was at the time working with a severely handicapped individual that was about to lose it to anxiety and was about ready to put his head through the window. All the same, I had to pay the consequences.

Thanks for the good advice, and point taken on not making excuses, just being upfront.

You are still missing the point.

It is as simple as "I ran a red light"

If you cant understand that, you are probably in for a hard time with what you are trying to do.

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by Rabbi

You need to kill that "pink" light stuff. You ran a red light. It was your choice and it was a poor choice.

In general, if you do anything other than accept what you did, it looks like you have problems with honesty, reality or a number of other issues.

This is something that will help you.

Point well taken Rabbi thank you.

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by Rabbi

You are still missing the point.

It is as simple as "I ran a red light"

If you cant understand that, you are probably in for a hard time with what you are trying to do.

I understand what you mean. I think I have a pretty good moral compass, and I know that was not the best choice. Live and learn. Just glad it wasn't a bigger "learning experience" involving something like a felony.

[SAR]

Originally Posted by verdugo60

The light WAS yellow when I entered the intersection

Don't know about your state, but in California, it is not illegal to enter an intersection with a yellow light. If you don't take 100% ownership of running a red light, you will never be hired. I don't know if it is stubborn pride or inability to accept responsibility, but most candidates who do not get hired refuse to own up to simple mistakes which are no big DEAL, but refusal to admit to them IS.

[Rabbi]

Originally Posted by verdugo60

I understand what you mean. I think I have a pretty good moral compass, and I know that was not the best choice. Live and learn. Just glad it wasn't a bigger "learning experience" involving something like a felony.

You are STILL missing the point.

"I ran a red light. It was my fault and it was a poor choice" (or similar language)

That is it. It is a test and you are going to have to take it, maybe several times. You suck thus far.

[drewseph]

I think the background investigation interview/polygraph interview is gonna blow this guys mind. One great way to be clear- used the least amount of words possible.

"The light WAS yellow when I entered the intersection, the pink joke was because I wasn't clear when it turned red. Should I have entered with heavy traffic and a yellow light? Probably not, and normally I wouldn't. Only reason I did was because I was at the time working with a severely handicapped individual that was about to lose it to anxiety and was about ready to put his head through the window. All the same, I had to pay the consequences." ------FAIL

"I ran a red light."----- you may or may not fail.

I wish you better luck than Ive had.

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by Rabbi

You are STILL missing the point.

"I ran a red light. It was my fault and it was a poor choice" (or similar language)

That is it. It is a test and you are going to have to take it, maybe several times. You suck thus far.

I guess it's better that I get it beat into my head here than during the polygraph huh?

I should not have run that red light. Period. I did it, have not risked going through the yellows or pinks or anything else since. Not worth it.

[Rabbi]

Originally Posted by verdugo60

I guess it's better that I get it beat into my head here than during the polygraph huh?

I should not have run that red light. Period. I did it, have not risked going through the yellows or pinks or anything else since. Not worth it.

IT IS NOT RIGHT!

Again, "I ran a red light, it was my fault and a poor choice."

[verdugo60]

Originally Posted by Rabbi

IT IS NOT RIGHT!

Again, "I ran a red light, it was my fault and a poor choice."

By not worth it, I mean not worth endangering others or myself. So yes, it was not right!

[MeefZah]

Originally Posted by Rabbi

IT IS NOT RIGHT!

Again, "I ran a red light, it was my fault and a poor choice."

Jeez, chill out, he's owning the mistake. He gets it.

OP: I know you are excited but as someone else said, stow your excitement until you reach a point in the hiring phase where it's appropriate.

Filling out an application would not be that phase.

Application: any thug can fill one out
Test: any thug can test
Physical: any thug can take that test, too
Prelim background: weeds out some thugs, and some decent applicants
Interview: weeds out thugs and tools, and some decent applicants
Second interview: double checks the results against a second panel thus weeding out a thug or two and some more decent applicants
Background: weeds out a few remaining thugs and some more decent applicants
Poly: weeds out decent applicants
Psych: weeds out non-crazy individuals, mostly
Conditional offer: excitement time

Get a conditional offer, come back here, we'll chat it up with you.