Academy Guide (eBook)

Bill Langan, Shannon Langan, Matthew Thomas (Autoren)

eBook Download: EPUB

2014 | 1. Auflage
432 Seiten
First Edition Design Publishing (Verlag)
9781622875900 (ISBN)

Infos

Welcome to The Academy Guide where we will help guide you from application through graduation and everything in between. Begin a career in the honorable and rewarding lifestyle of law enforcement, corrections/detention or firefighting.

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Welcome to The Academy Guide where we will help guide you "e;from application through graduation and everything in between."e; Begin a career in the honorable and rewarding lifestyle of law enforcement, corrections/detention or firefighting.

Textauszug

The Application

 

Agencies are looking for the law enforcement applicant who separates themselves from the group. It starts with "ATTENTION TO DETAIL."

 

As with any employment opportunity the first part of the process is to learn about the job. Most law enforcement job listings can be found advertised in local papers, online job links (such as those found in our Employment Links section), and the agency websites.

 

Law enforcement positions require you to read and understand ALL of the job requirements. More importantly, you must read and understand the list of disqualifiers. The application and hiring process is both lengthy and thorough. If the requirement is that you have never been "convicted of a felony" and you have been to prison, save yourself the time and effort of applying to the position. You will NOT be hired. If there are questions to your specific circumstance be sure to contact the agency to which you are applying and ask them specifically if you meet the qualifications.

 

 

After reading the entire job posting and determining that you meet the minimum standards of qualification. These requirements include, but are not limited to, residency requirements (which mean you must live within a certain area or jurisdiction), age, driver's license requirements, etc... There will be a set of detailed instructions that will provide important information on applying for the desired position. For example, if the application must be notarized, the deadline for submittal, notification processes, etc...

 

Be Prepared! Completing a Law Enforcement related job application is a lengthy process. So, be sure to set aside ample time. Completing the application is not a timed event. Take your time. If you hastily complete this portion, it will show. Most standard law enforcement applications can be several pages long and require A LOT of information.

 

You should review the entire application first, gather the necessary paperwork and information, and then move forward. Be sure to read and understand all the instructions before you begin. Have all of the supporting documentation available to you, including driver's license information, social security number, names and addresses of past/present employers and references, diplomas including high school and college, transcripts, military documentation such as DD 214, certificates, financial records, and any other item that is required for you to include with your application.

 

The application may be an online application, a paper packet, or a combination of both. Many agencies require the application to be in computer format submitted online, with the background questionnaires and other documents being submitted in the paper form. Either way, read the application through. As with all applications, ensure that ALL blank spaces are filled out. If the space doesn't apply to you, then either place "not applicable, N/A, or none" in the space provided. This will immediately tell the reviewer that you have seen the question and have nothing to put there. It is recommended that you NEVER put “See Resume.” Take the time to include all the information on the required form. It is also recommended, when completing an application, to ensure your handwriting is legible. PRINT, preferably in capital or block style. DO NOT use cursive handwriting. Use BLACK ink. If a resume is required or submitted, ensure that all the information on the application is consistent with the resume.

 

Ensuring you have ample time will allow you to be both thorough and neat. Your application will be a representation of you to people who otherwise do not know your qualifications. Be sure to take the time to be CLEAR, CONCISE, and CORRECT on ALL information you submit.

 

If you have had law enforcement contact, received a traffic citation, been a victim or witness of a crime or case, been arrested (even if not convicted), or been accused of a crime ensure you have the dates and agency and be able to articulate the disposition of the case.

 

Remember that there are several people involved with the review of your application. It will usually start with a clerk from human resources who ensures you have the minimum information and qualifications. In the next step, your application and information will be placed on the desk of an investigator who is assigned to complete your background check.

 

A background investigator will give your application little consideration if there is information missing, omitted, or partially completed. Law enforcement agencies are often inundated with applicants. Ensuring that your application is more complete than the next person, improves your value to the employer. Applications lacking information are often set aside without further consideration. For instance, if the application requires you to provide the address and telephone number to an elementary school you attended, then it will be in your best interest to do your own research, find accurate information on that school, and list the requested information. Keep in mind that you are 1 of 1000 people who want the SAME job. Do more research and be more complete than the next person.

 

Be Honest! If the application asks, "Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor? Yes or No," the next part to this is usually, "If 'Yes' state violation, court or jurisdiction, and date of conviction. Please provide circumstances of this incident." Ensure that you are complete and honest in your answers. An affirmative answer does not necessarily mean that you will be automatically disqualified. However, if there is even a slight indication that you are attempting to show deceit, you will be dropped from the application process. Honesty is the best policy. Keep in mind, most agencies will eventually require a polygraph to ensure that you have been honest in your application and information provided.

 

Never intentionally omit negative incidents or issues on the application/background questionnaire. If you have had a problem in your past do not think that the subject will not come up later. The background questionnaire is a very thorough process. Professional investigators will spend a lot of time verifying the information you provided. If you intentionally omit an incident and the situation is discovered later in the process attempting to state "I forgot" is not going to give you an advantage with the agency. Most agencies will disqualify you based on these omissions.

 

Attempting to add information at the polygraph appointment, especially that which is considered negative, only makes you look like you will not make admissions unless you are confronted. This can hurt you later during the polygraph portion of the process. Put it ALL on the form.

 

Most states are governed by Police Officers Standards and Training boards, which specify who can and more importantly CANNOT be a Law Enforcement Officer. If in doubt, ask the hiring agency.

 

Let’s Review-

 

1.     You have set aside time and gathered the necessary documentation with information to assist you in filling out the application and background questionnaire.

2.     You have notified your references of your application and advised them to be prepared to complete and return a form verifying you as their friend, relative, co-worker, family member etc..

3.     You have made a copy of the application and background questionnaire for your records and to refer to in the future.

4.     You have printed legibly, in black ink and are clear, concise and correct. You have further ensured that all sections are filled in and no area has been left blank.

5.     You have reviewed and met the minimum qualifications.

6.     You have included all the necessary attachments including background questionnaire, necessary waivers and releases.

7.     You have provided a COPY of all supporting documentation as required.

8.     You have paid attention to the deadline and know exactly where to mail it or take the paperwork.

 

Notification of applicants can come in many different forms. Some agencies will contact the applicant by mail via letter, certified letter, or post card while other agencies will notify you by email or telephone. The method of notification is less important than the fact that you have been accepted to the next step of the hiring process.

 

The next step of the process could be anything from a physical fitness test to an oral interview. Keep in mind that agencies will be looking at the costs associated with the process and will attempt to minimize this cost. As a result, the normal progression is: application,...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 20.4.2014
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften
• Themenwelt: Sozialwissenschaften ► Pädagogik ► Erwachsenenbildung
• ISBN-13: 9781622875900 / 9781622875900