LAPD - not accepted; what next?

[bdouglas]

So, I passed my background, medical, department interview, and two polygraphs, and was sent a letter of conditional employment pending my succesful psych interview. The interviewer determined that I had issues with Decision Making & Judgment, and Social Interaction. I appealed, and the private interviewer determined that (in short) I was combative and argumentative, and because I have a background in commercial art, I am naturally too independent, outspoken and persistent to fit in with a paramilitary environment.

Honestly, it's pretty disappointing that the successes I had in this process were undone by the stereotype that "artists are free spirits", and I feel that while some of both interviews should have been better phrased on my part, the majority of the decisions were based on assumptions that don't match me. Nevertheless, I know that these are the people I need on my side if I want this position, so I need to start making efforts that I can point to next year that will demonstrate my ability to function in this job.

Does anyone have suggestions for activities or other methods I could pursue to do this?

[AlmostaLEO]

double post...shame on me

[DAL]

You could apply elsewhere. Departments vary in their psych standards; sometimes, it is a matter of whether they consider you suited to their type of policing. You could also apply to become a reserve officer, preferably at a different department. They may be more forgiving so long as the problems would not disqualify you.

[JSL0506]

So, I passed my background, medical, department interview, and two polygraphs, and was sent a letter of conditional employment pending my succesful psych interview. The interviewer determined that I had issues with Decision Making & Judgment, and Social Interaction. I appealed, and the private interviewer determined that (in short) I was combative and argumentative, and because I have a background in commercial art, I am naturally too independent, outspoken and persistent to fit in with a paramilitary environment.

Honestly, it's pretty disappointing that the successes I had in this process were undone by the stereotype that "artists are free spirits", and I feel that while some of both interviews should have been better phrased on my part, the majority of the decisions were based on assumptions that don't match me. Nevertheless, I know that these are the people I need on my side if I want this position, so I need to start making efforts that I can point to next year that will demonstrate my ability to function in this job.

Does anyone have suggestions for activities or other methods I could pursue to do this?

Did you get into it with the doc in your interview? You just have to be honest, keep it short, show accountability for any mistake and decison making errors in your past, and reflect upon how it's improved you, and leave it at that. Take pc 832 perhaps, volunteer, work with youth who are on probation and have been incarcerated, learn a second language, show some job stability, military perhaps? These are just ideas and good luck to you. If you are truly cut out for this field, it will happen and don't give up on the pursuit.You could self-sponsor in a modular or extended academy

[DAL]

You could also join the military, and if you do well, you will thereby demonstrate that you can fit into a paramilitary environment.

[bdouglas]

Did you get into it with the doc in your interview? You just have to be honest, keep it short, show accountability for any mistake and decison making errors in your past, and reflect upon how it's improved you, and leave it at that. Take pc 832 perhaps, volunteer, work with youth who are on probation and have been incarcerated, learn a second language, show some job stability, military perhaps? These are just ideas and good luck to you. If you are truly cut out for this field, it will happen and don't give up on the pursuit.You could self-sponsor in a modular or extended academy

This was the sort of thing I had in mind. I hadn't heard of PC 832, I'll be checking that out. I'm working on learning Arabic at the moment and already have a decent command of Spanish and German, but not fluency. Job stability has been a bit of an issue because the commercial art field was very volatile coming out of school, but I've been in my current position for about a year. I'm working on a schedule for volunteering at a museum and with the Red Cross.

I did spend the last two months pursuing an army recruitment, but I test as colorblind, which eliminates almost every position, and the CO at the recruiting station is hesitant to enlist anyone with any kind of medical issue, so he wants me to go get a full blood and enzyme test done at my expense before they even send me to their own medical screening. This is after my 99 ASVAB. After some thought I decided that without the opportunity to pursue foreign language, intelligence or law enforcement work in the military, I should continue exploring my civilian options rather than potentially signing my time and potentially my life to a job that isn't my goal. Those who know me agree that my enthusiasm is with law enforcement, not military, and were much less encouraging of the military option for my sake.

There was no back-and-forth with the city doctor; she asked questions, I answered, but I think my answers had too much information that she wasn't asking for.

[leif]

Try again, now you know not to volunteer information. There are plenty of departments out there.

[DCH]

If I had a dime for every time someone behind an interview desk told me I wasn't cut out to wear a badge, I would of had a eighty-pound sack of dimes to hit someone behind their interview desk with.

[avalon42]

If I had a dime for every time someone behind an interview desk told me I wasn't cut out to wear a badge, I would of had a eighty-pound sack of dimes to hit someone behind their interview desk with.

I'd be $10 richer. That might get me a scone and grande cup at Starbucks. Just might.

What I've been told countless times is never give up and don't ever let anyone tell you you're not good enough. And if they do, move on and someone is bound to be "crazy" enough to try you out. Just don't make them regret it.

[pulicords]

Psych interviews can be very subjective. What might DQ you in one agency could be looked upon as favorable in another. Regardless of what some may think, LAPD isn't the pinnacle of So. CA law enforcement agencies. Other local departments have better pay, benefits, retirement programs, working conditions and potential assignments. Check them out, apply where you think you'd fit in and (if you get hired) after a few years you can reapply to LA if that's what you'd like to do. My guess is; that after some time on one of those other departments, you'll be glad you went where you did.

[bdouglas]

I appreciate the advice and encouragement - LAPD has been the only thing I've really looked at so far, so I'll start checking out other departments - forest and park service especially. Thanks all.

[DCH]

I'll start checking out other departments - forest and park service especially. Thanks all.

..freakin' treehugger! lol jk