Getting a police job. What a crock... - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

For whatever reason my youngest son wants a career in law enforcement. He graduated from college on the Dean's List with a BA in criminal justice. Should be a slam-dunk, right? When filling out the mountain of paper work that goes with the application, he mentioned a night where he and a couple of friends were coming home from the gym. One of them found some paint balls in the floor of the car and they tossed them at some street signs as they drove past. He also told them of a couple of parties he had in college where there was booze and minors in attendance. He can not get a job. He was told that because he was almost 21 when he threw the paint balls, and over 21 when the parties were held, AND he had already declared his major, he showed poor judgement. I agree, it was stupid, but DAMN! He applied for a job in Chesterfield County where he had two ex officers and a circuit court judge, (who have known him since birth), all send letters recommending him for the job. The county never even contacted them as references. The county has held job fairs in New York, Ohio, Michigan that I know of pleading for officers, but won't hire someone born, raised, educated, in the same county. All the while they advise the citizens to "Keep your tax dollars" at home. I know of 3 other kids this has happened to, and all 3 eventually got jobs in Law Enforcement. Oddly enough, once they were out of the academy, 2 of them were contacted by Chesterfield for an interview. Neither went, and one is now in the Secret Service, and the other is a Detective with the city of Richmond. Sorry to be long winded, but this is the only forum where I think enough of the members opinions to write.

This post has been edited by rpoz-29: Dec 15 2007, 03:16 AM

rpoz-29 View Member Profile	Dec 15 2007, 12:25 AM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 620 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Chester, VA Member No.: 22	For whatever reason my youngest son wants a career in law enforcement. He graduated from college on the Dean's List with a BA in criminal justice. Should be a slam-dunk, right? When filling out the mountain of paper work that goes with the application, he mentioned a night where he and a couple of friends were coming home from the gym. One of them found some paint balls in the floor of the car and they tossed them at some street signs as they drove past. He also told them of a couple of parties he had in college where there was booze and minors in attendance. He can not get a job. He was told that because he was almost 21 when he threw the paint balls, and over 21 when the parties were held, AND he had already declared his major, he showed poor judgement. I agree, it was stupid, but DAMN! He applied for a job in Chesterfield County where he had two ex officers and a circuit court judge, (who have known him since birth), all send letters recommending him for the job. The county never even contacted them as references. The county has held job fairs in New York, Ohio, Michigan that I know of pleading for officers, but won't hire someone born, raised, educated, in the same county. All the while they advise the citizens to "Keep your tax dollars" at home. I know of 3 other kids this has happened to, and all 3 eventually got jobs in Law Enforcement. Oddly enough, once they were out of the academy, 2 of them were contacted by Chesterfield for an interview. Neither went, and one is now in the Secret Service, and the other is a Detective with the city of Richmond. Sorry to be long winded, but this is the only forum where I think enough of the members opinions to write. This post has been edited by rpoz-29: Dec 15 2007, 03:16 AM

Rob Hood View Member Profile	Dec 15 2007, 01:47 AM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,086 Joined: 16-January 04 From: Chandler AZ Member No.: 130	Was he actually arrested or detained for those incidents? If so, what was the outcome? Look to other counties within VA, or check out other states nearby. Or, have him look into one of the military services (my preference is Navy (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ). His degree should work fine in the intelligence field, or for the most part any other military specialty save medicine or law. In my current career as a background investigator, I've seen WAY WORSE backgrounds for people in the defense sector and in the military, and they keep their job.