Veterans Affairs Police

[Fallstrip45]

What could disqualify someone for the VA police? I completed my psych, medical, signed my rules of behavior, and all that... are there any major disqualification points?... I’m a 0083 now and they told me I had issues with my vision close up (far sighted). I qualified shooting from my current agency and such,

[Tjwright95]

Unfortunately, this may be the end of the road for me in this process. :/ I was just informed (via email) that I failed the Psych and my conditional offer was withdrawn. This is a very big disappointment for me as Law Enforcement is my dream career, and I spent hours of time, hard work, and money to go through this process. I even thought I had a good relationship with everyone there. I reached out to HR and requested to either challenge the decision, retest, or have the Chief possibly waive the results and have them reconsidered. I doubt they will do any of those, but it's worth a shot. Thank you to anyone who has responded to me or helped me with info/insights along the way.

[my93rx7tt]

Don't beat yourself up. I have seen multiple 20+ year retired leos fail the psych at the VA. 5 of the last 8 didn't make it past psych in hiring process. In my short time at the VAPD, I have never seen anyone hired after not passing psych.

[orlandofed5-0]

The chief can't waive the results for medical or psychological evaluations. Nor can they use any outside results unless the Dr is under contract to the Federal employee health service.

[Tjwright95]

Oh ok, I hope I can get a second opinion, because HR said that the psychologist is contracted.

[Tjwright95]

I try not to, but with completing every step, and even starting backgrounds, things seemed to be pretty certain that I had the job. I know not passing this agencie's psych doesn't mean that I'll never become a Law Enforcement Officer, but this kinda felt like a slap in the face...Just gotta keep moving forward.

Question: Do Law Enforcement agencies have access to others' psychological exams?

[scotty_appleton814]

Depends. Some do, some dont

[orlandofed5-0]

The VA will not access another agency other than federal records.

[tigers2007]

Keep in mind that the screening questions of today are far more thorough than they were a few years ago. What I mean is that HR and agency managers have caught on to people "slipping through the cracks" because they didn't ask the right screening questions. Now, do not let a failed psych scare you. It really depends on the Psychiatrist. Maybe you rubbed them the wrong way by showing up late, bad breath, who knows. The next agency you apply with may have a screening question like, "Have you ever been denied employment due to an unfavorable psychological exam.." blah blah. Obviously you would answer YES. If the agency you applied at has any common sense, they would pull the records and then run you again through their psych exam and see how it goes. If they blow you off, then its probably not a place you want to work at anyways if they are that ridiculous. The unions have been watching this sort of crap intensely for a couple reasons: they are missing out on future dues-paying members, and its their job to prevent shenanigans. Now if you lie and say, "NO", then when they find out, today or five years from now, you're subject to termination and even criminal charges 8 USC 1001. Lack of candor is a serious charge and difficult to defend. Usually if a manager or HR asks you questions like that, they already know the answer.

[Tjwright95]

Oh ok. Since I took this Psychological Exam within the VA, if I apply to another VA or Federal Law Enforcement agency, they will have access to it, right?

[waffledog47]

Oh ok. Since I took this Psychological Exam within the VA, if I apply to another VA or Federal Law Enforcement agency, they will have access to it, right?

They may possibly (but unlikely) have access to it. However, all other agencies that do psych evals will do their own on you to my knowledge.

[orlandofed5-0]

Oh ok. Since I took this Psychological Exam within the VA, if I apply to another VA or Federal Law Enforcement agency, they will have access to it, right?

Yes. The VA and other federal agencies can access your civilian employee medical records.

[Tjwright95]

They may possibly (but unlikely) have access to it. However, all other agencies that do psych evals will do their own on you to my knowledge.

Ok thank you waffledog and orlandofed! Only reason I ask is because I've heard of agencies (typically local/municipal) that will DQ you because other agencies DQed you.

[Tjwright95]

Yes. The VA and other federal agencies can access your civilian employee medical records.

Ok thank you waffledog and orlandofed! Only reason I ask is because I've heard of agencies (typically local/municipal) that will DQ you because other agencies DQed you.

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[valetudo39]

Ok thank you waffledog and orlandofed! Only reason I ask is because I've heard of agencies (typically local/municipal) that will DQ you because other agencies DQed you.

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Failing a psych is not a deal breaker at the state or local level. I've known guys that fail a psych with one agency and pass at another. As far as the VA goes you can still apply at another VA within the state of California. Long Beach uses one location for their psych tests while Loma Linda uses another location. Apply at West LA or any other location in California.

[scotty_appleton814]

Ok thank you waffledog and orlandofed! Only reason I ask is because I've heard of agencies (typically local/municipal) that will DQ you because other agencies DQed you.

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Seattle PD DQ'd e because another nearby agency DQ'd me. So it does happen sometimes.

[Pitbull4332]

Welp after finishing the whole process and told I am just waiting for my start date, 3 weeks go by and I do a follow up call and ask the status. hr says my offer has been rescinded because of my background. What a joke I've been working for DHS for 3 years I called a different hr rep and told her I haven't even submitted a background check yet. She says they did through fingerprints SMH

[Tjwright95]

Welp after finishing the whole process and told I am just waiting for my start date, 3 weeks go by and I do a follow up call and ask the status. hr says my offer has been rescinded because of my background. What a joke I've been working for DHS for 3 years I called a different hr rep and told her I haven't even submitted a background check yet. She says they did through fingerprints SMH

Wow, sorry about that Pitbull...keep your head up!! Good luck with future Departments!

[orlandofed5-0]

What do you do for DHS? Clearances are different if say you're a TSA agent and not a police officer.

[Luis Ruiz]

I was a police officer for 12 years. Moved and went to TSA. In Tsa we have a secret clearance. When i applies for the VA police they told me my clearance was higher than what i needed so all i did was get finger printed.

2 months after i was hired i was already told my background came back good. And as soon as i graduate the academy my Creds will be ready. So i guess everyone is different.

[Fallstrip45]

Anyone else waiting to hear back from HR?

[cbpApp]

Hi, all,

I recently had an interview for VAP in Indiana on Tuesday. I was interviewed by a lieutenant and captain. I Did the standard scenario-based questions and had a conversation about my past Leo experience and work history. The interviewers also asked me about my short-term and long-term goals if I got hired, and how quickly my references would respond to a phone call. Finally, they said it would be approximately two weeks before I heard something. Is there any way to guage if I passed?