Self sponsor or keep trying?

[dpt325]

I have been trying to get a job in LE but have found the road difficult to traverse. I know that times are tough and budgets are tight so i imagine that most PD's are gonna be very picky. Would it be a better option for me to try self sponsor myself through the Rio Hondo Academy? I recieved my interview score from CHP and i earned an 80 but needed an 85 to continue in the process. Would an 80 be good enough in better times and is that close enough to where i probably have a chance and can work on my interview skills? I think i have a chance but your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

[avalon42]

If you could add a little more about your background, I think the officers on here can better assess your candidacy.

[dpt325]

Thanks Avalon42. I have a B.S. in Kinesiology, 31 yo, no prior law enforcement but work in a health care facility where i have constant interaction with people. I believe that people skills are important because LE is all about dealing with the public. I went through backgroung with LASD and was set up for my poly but my BI called me and said to wait. I recieved a letter from LASD 2 weeks later that said i was DQ'ed because of my anabolic steroid use 11 years ago. I am in good shape, compete in 5k runs (won a few), and enjoy physical training.

[IronBruin]

It really depends on your background. If your background is clean, self-sponsoring could be a good choice. Agencies were actively recruiting the self-sponsors in my recent academy class. The drug use could be a problem, but the self-sponsor route could be the thing to get you over that hump. It's a very expensive calculated risk.

[barkalot]

I self-sponsored in CA in the early 90s due to the fact that agencies I was interested in were focusing on minorities. It still took almost a year to get hired for my first time gig.

I would do it if you can. The only way it's going to hurt you is if you get hired by an agency that has its own academy and even then why sweat it, they will PAY you to go again.

BTW, if you are by chance eligible for CA unemployment, they have re-training programs.

[avalon42]

Thanks Avalon42. I have a B.S. in Kinesiology, 31 yo, no prior law enforcement but work in a health care facility where i have constant interaction with people. I believe that people skills are important because LE is all about dealing with the public. I went through backgroung with LASD and was set up for my poly but me BI called me and said to wait. I recieved a letter from LASD 2 weeks later that said i was DQ'ed because of my anabolic steroid use 11 years ago. I am in good shape, compete in 5k runs (won a few), and enjoy physical training.

Just an FYI, for most agencies in my neck of the woods, this is a Permanent Dis-qualifier.

Glad to hear that you are in great physical shape and have a degree under your belt. Your best bet is to contact each individual agency and find out their specific drug policy. It's like a needle in a haystack, but going the self-sponsored route will not improve your chances in an area that is potentially an auto and perm dis-qualifier unless the agency is willing to hire you in the end. Not saying to give up, but definitely give it a shot.

[dpt325]

Thanks for the advice guys. Fortunately i have checked out with agencies and most are ok with anabolics after a 10 year period. I am eligible to reapply with LASD after a year as stated in the letter they sent me. I imagine if it was permanent it would have stated that it was.

[bvales]

I self-sponsored in CA in the early 90s due to the fact that agencies I was interested in were focusing on minorities. It still took almost a year to get hired for my first time gig.

I would do it if you can. The only way it's going to hurt you is if you get hired by an agency that has its own academy and even then why sweat it, they will PAY you to go again.

BTW, if you are by chance eligible for CA unemployment, they have re-training programs.

Doesn't unemployment get cutoff when someone starts school. I know they have re-training programs, but I'm pretty sure POST academy does not count, am I wrong? I'm going to start self sponsored soon, and lost my job just after the entrance exam. I have been worried about that subject to say the least.

[gonzo1510]

Deleted...

[bvales]

Deleted...

Whats up with that?

[gonzo1510]

Steroid use ... Neck...needle...give it a shot...

I'm not the only one that caught this am I ?

oooh avalon... you bad.

[avalon42]

Thanks for the advice guys. Fortunately i have checked out with agencies and most are ok with anabolics after a 10 year period. I am eligible to reapply with LASD after a year as stated in the letter they sent me. I imagine if it was permanent it would have stated that it was.

Glad to hear it. When I said my neck of the woods, I meant San Diego county.

Steroid use ... Neck...needle...give it a shot...

I'm not the only one that caught this am I ?

oooh avalon... you bad.

Gonzo, are you sure you want to work for government? You're reading way too deep into my posts...

[dpt325]

I am trying with one more ageny who was hiring bilinguals and have passed the written and physical. Their steroid use policy is "No use of Anabolics within 5 years of application". I am definitely no where near 5 years and other agencies said that 10 years is really not an issue. I was told by one agency that LASD is just having budget issues and that was probably the reason they DQ'ed me. I thought that being honest was the best thing to do as i told them about my use, if i had said nothing they would have never found out. At least i know that i have integrity which is a trait that might have backfired on me in my current situation?

[avalon42]

I am trying with one more ageny who was hiring bilinguals and have passed the written and physical. Their steroid use policy is "No use of Anabolics within 5 years of application". I am definitely no where near 5 years and other agencies said that 10 years is really not an issue. I was told by one agency that LASD is just having budget issues and that was probably the reason they DQ'ed me. I thought that being honest was the best thing to do as i told them about my use, if i had said nothing they would have never found out. At least i know that i have integrity which is a trait that might have backfired on me in my current situation?

No, honesty is the best policy. Don't second-guess yourself. That approach got me DQ'd from an agency down here, but others have picked me up (quite happily) where the one agency left off. I am still working non-sworn, but it's experience in the door with two agencies (federal and local) that will lead to sworn openings.

Given that you have had promising feedback on the steroid use, I don't think the self-sponsored route would be a bad option if you can fiscally make it work.

[X1X1X1]

Doesn't unemployment get cutoff when someone starts school. I know they have re-training programs, but I'm pretty sure POST academy does not count, am I wrong?

POST is covered. You can search and find both full time academies and modular formats that are covered under the Eligible Training Program List. It's hard to get approved though - You're basically pleading your case to a panel of folks who would rather spend the money on getting Sally certified with Excel or Johnny his HVAC training rather than get another cop on the street.

I got assigned to a guy that looked like Al Gore. Telling him that I wanted $$ to go to the police academy was like asking the real Al G. for a license to hunt polar bears.