DQ'd on Psychological exam

[macboyrules]

In October of 2001, I was laid-off like many here in Silicon Valley. I am 26, married, and have a 10 month old son. While I was searching for a new job, I began to reflect on why I was in high-tech, and what I wanted for my future. While searching and reflecting, I found an ad in the paper for the Sheriff's Office. I had never thought of LE in the past as a career, but I was also very young and was living a "free" life. Now with a wife and child, suddenly the LE choice was much more appealing. I have been involved with sport officiating for several years, and knew many LEOs, as the two professions seem to be very similar in many aspects. So, I thought, lets give it some serious consideration.
I talked to several of the officers I knew, and went on three ride-alongs, including one with a friend of mine. After two months of research, I was hooked. I put in my application for the Sheriff's office, and bought a video and ARCO book to help study for the written test. I also started working out for the agility test.
I aced them both. I began the long road through the background process, which really made me examine my life. I was lucky that I had lived a very moral life, with enough bad things to overcome to show life experience. I passed through the contracted BG company's process, and then through the SO's background interview and test. I was brought in several months later and given a conditional offer of employment. Everyone I talked to was wonderful, and I was even introduced by my BG officer to the Sgt as the next academy student. I sat down to take the four and a half hour psychological written test with the only advice "Be yourself, and as long as your not crazy or any pathology is found, this is a piece of cake." I took my time and carefully answered the questions. I was relieved when the test was done, because my hand was dead.
A few weeks later I went in for the oral part of the psychological test. I arrived a little early, and patiently waited outside for the psychologist, who I was told was going to be one person, but it ended up being another person.
The interview seemed to go well I thought. The man from the very begining seemed very disorganized (he had lost a few of the papers I had signed before, and I had to do them again), and was very concerned with "getting this stuff right for my boss." He asked the normal set of questions, and wanted me to clarify a few of my answers, and that was it. An hour scheduled interview was done in about 15 minutes. I asked him if that was it, and if I could be of any more help, and he said no, everything was great and thanked me for my time.
I continued and passed the physical tests, and was ready to enter the final oral interview, which with this SO, is actually an introduction and is not part of the hiring criteria. A day before I was suppose to have my interview, I received a letter of rejection. I called to SO, and found out it was the psychologist who DQ'd me. I called his office and talked to his boss. He double checked the finding rating, and verified that I was DQ'd according to the psychologist who interviewed me. He did not have any other info other than the rating. He said that there was no appeal process, and that it was no use interviewing with other agencies in the area, because they all used his office.
I am very frusted that I got so far and to come up short in an area with no feedback from anyone. I could guess and speculate, but I have talked to many other officers who know me well, and every one of them was shocked to hear the news. Not one of them could understand, and the best reason I got was that perhaps the pschologist thought I was "too good" in that I have never smoked, tested or experimented with drugs, and don't drink at all.
Because of this, I am trying to evaluate if I should continue to pursue LE as a career. As I had made it so far in the process only to be DQ'd by a non-LEO, with no explanation or appeal, does this mean that I should give it up? Is there anyway for me to have my Psych test come out differently? As I don't really know what they are looking for, it's very frustrating. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about the legnth, and Thank You for your time and interest.

[Minnesota Trooper]

I can't speak for what goes on out in your neck of the woods, but I can speak about some experiences that I know some of my friends in LE have had here in the midwest.

I know a shrink who washed a guy for one agency, then a few weeks later approved him for another. This is the same psychologist, just two different police agencies.

I am of the understanding that this particular shrink would also let you see your file to show you what you had to work on. (of course this cost $$$$)

Although it would be discouraging, don't give up. LE is a great profession to be in, and sometimes it takes some time to get your foot in the door.


Good luck!

[Drakor]

I love shrinks....In fact I love them so much that you could take them the media and lawyers and put them on a big jet airplane to the moon one way.
It's the only doctor that you don't get to have a second opinion and most of their findings are base upon either Freud or Joung(misspelled). Most will judge your profile base upon their opinion.
I wasn't Dq but was told I didn't score high enough and would have to wait a year to retake that portion of the hiring process( of course at my own $$$$$).
That hasn't discouraged me in the least and it shouldn't discourage you either. If they tell you not to bother applying to another department they rule upon its because they are afraid that they will have made a mistake or one doctor will rule in your favor while one of their own rule against you.( base soley upon opinion).
Did you know that you could have your neighbor locked up for up to a month base on a simple phone call saying he was acting crazy(disturbed) and if it was you you could tell the doctors that your fine. The doctors would fine something wrong with you anyway. It's a corn ball profession base soley on opinions and trying to impression each other while they are having their 2 martini lunches. How's you judgement after you sat and drank your lunch? Worst part is they are judging us.....in which I think most of us have a screw loose just to go out....out manned, under armed and under paid. I feel strongly about this can ya tell....