what are your thoughts ,,, update

[pdred]

I need your opinions. I looking to apply for a sheriff dept, and am wondering about my past. Reading the messages posted, I need your thoughts. I am 40 and about 20 years ago I did try cocaine and for a summer or so, had a friend who sold the drug. So on a poly I would have to answer yes on the question have you ever sold a drug. also, if there is no poly would this dq me on a back ground?
what are some for sure DQ's on a poly and back ground, other then the normal ones you see.
thanks

[Drakor]

My local sheriffs department will dq you for trying cocaine even once. So the fact that you used it for the summer plus sold it...would get you dqed from here. I don't know about standards from other departments but normally they will tell you up front during the pre-interview what their tolerances are and what will dq you right from the start.
 The fact that it was twenty years ago may make a difference but I'm not sure. This is a tough one but honesty is normally the best road traveled. Charlie may have more for you.

[Charlie]

pdred--Got to agree with Drakor's assessment about this one. Overall it depends upon WHO you apply with and WHAT their qualifcations may be. Again, not all departments do things the same way nor are all of their qualfications the same either. I think the only thing in your favor is the fact all this stuff occurred 20+ years ago....BUT...as Drakor noted, with some departments, this may get you disqualified. I would recommend that you contact any recruiter with the agency or agencies you may be interested in applying with for a position. The way I see it, be up front about it and find out first hand if this will disqualify you to prevent anyone from wasting their time.

I most definitely favor the honesty part. You could possibly lie, get by with it, and get on board somewhere.   BUT...IF you are ever caught in a lie, even years down the road should you get yourself on board a PD, it could have a devastating effect on your career.   Something to definitely ponder and a decision you'll have to make on your own.

Sometimes, life just doesn't seem to make it easy for anyone. ;D

Nevertheless, best of luck to you.

Charlie

[Drakor]

I really think this will  be something that any department will dig and dig until they think your an all out drug dealer. As far as the poly is concerned... there are a lot of good web sites out there that can show you the positives and the negatives about polys. I suggest you check out some of these web sites before you decide what to do and how to do it.
    Another thing to ask yourself is whether you feel that your actions can possibly be used against you later. Can someone blackmail you with this information? I always go for the honesty approach but I also feel that too much information is just as bad as not enough.
    8) I classify this one as an UFO, you've seen one, you know in your heart that you've seen one but don't tell, because its hard to prove it exists. Also people will get the wrong impression of you and think your crazy.
     :-XI hope you get my meaning but it's all up to you. Good luck

[pdred]

Update,
I took my poly this week. Seem to go ok. Answered the 250 pre-test questions, the tester went over all the yes answers, to be sure they should be yes. Got hooked up the the machine, new technology, the machine was linked to a lap top, which makes it more sensitive he says. Went through the questions twice. He did not ask about any one question after the test. Waited about 2 minutes then did the test again. No after test interview no questions. He then took me to get my finger prints done. What are your opinions ? Do you think I passed or failed?
The use of cocaine in 1981 did not seem to be a problem. Thanks for your thoughts and advise.

[Tommy]

Along the same line...

I tried marijuanna for the first time when I was eight.  I think I was trying to prove something to my older, and much tougher cousin at the time.  Ironically, I don't truly think even he was inhaling.   We were both city kids just trying to prove a point, whatever that may be.  <br>
Besides that one incident, I smoked it twice in 1999 while traveling in Germany.  So on an application I've seen, it asks what drug, and the first and last dates of use.  So from that perspective, it looks like I've been a user from 1984 until 1999.  Umm, yeah, I'm sure that can't look good    ;D

So, do I try and list it twice as two seperate incidents of marijuanna use?  Or will using alone dq me?

Thanks.    

[junior]

tommy,

eight years old?  anyway i doubt that smoking marijauna three times will dq you.  when it comes up be truthful, show that you have matured and admit it was a mistake .   i would try to list them individually if possible.  i will say that depts vary regarding their policies on the frequency of usage.  usually illicit drugs will get you dq'd.  as far as pot goes some may ask if you have done it in the last year, and some may ask in the last 4 years.  i would say that you should probably be o.k. .  best of luck to you!

8) junior

[Drakor]

    Sounds like you passed your poly. They weren't nice enough to tell you right on the spot? Anyway I think they wouldn't fingerprint you unless you passed.
    I'm glad things went well for you keep us posted.

[pdred]

Just an update....
I had my first interveiw with my background investegator yesterday. I got the impression he was just going through the motions. He did not introduce himself, did not shake my hand,, nothing. We sat down, he went thru my PHQ and asked ages of people and such, and that was it. He did comment on an accident I had in 1984, but he was saying wrong information, and with an attitude. I did not want to get in a debate or make him look bad by correcting him, giving the way he was already acting. The info was not to far off and didnt warrent correction at this time I thought.( it was my age he had wrong ) But for sue the next time I am face to face I will correct him. He said he wanted me to take another poly with an outside testing place, so I set up the appointment.  I feel I should have said some thing, or say some thing to some one else about his attitude, but do not want to rock the boat. What do you think?  thanks

[junior]

pdred,

i think that you made a very wise decision by not saying anything .  however i would have corrected him regarding incorrect information.  maybe the investigator had a bad day, is always rude, or he was just testing you to see how you would react .  you should treat every encounter as if you were talking to the chief/sheriff.  i think people may tend to get defensive when they are given the cold shoulder by the b.i. .  that is the worst possible thing to do.  remember no matter how much you are offended, bite your tongue!  you may be going through a "test" ;D.  good luck and keep us posted.

junior  8)

[pdred]

Just another update, the department had me take another polygraph, at a different outside location from the department. I think it went better then the first poly. Well it has been over a month since I took the second poly, and I have not heard from my anyone. I sent the admin Sgt. an email and she said my background investigator will contact me. What are your thoughts? Im thinking if I did not pass, I would have heard from the human resorces dept with a letter saying I was disqualified. Do you think since I have not heard , the background investigation is proceeding?
Thanks for you responces.

[GlennS]

Until they tell you that you are DQed, your not DQed and the process is still ongoing.  Stay positive!

GlennS