Waiting to (hopefully) start the Dallas PD Academy...

[milkcartonkid]

and i have some questions:
#1. With my background check underway (some of my personal references have contacted me saying the investigator called them) what should i expect from the psych eval and final interview?
#2. The academy is tough. Like boot camp. (i went thru NAVY basic back in '92) How much like boot camp? Obviously no beds to make... So what else?
#3. Is the personal reference check the last part of the Background check? I would assume the Civil/Criminal history part is first, then work history/references, then personal. Any ideas of the actual order of that?
thanks in advance!

PS. I got a 99 on my civil service test. Does this help my impression with the investigator? Or what?

[srothstein]

The psych eval is usually a fairly standard personality evaluation, most of the time using the Minnesota Multi-Phase Test (MMPT and I think I remembered it correctly). The interview is usually both a standard job interview (why do you want this job, why should we hire you, etc.) and an assessment of judgement (scenario type questions). don't worry about the answer being right or wrong from a legal or cop standpoint, they are looking at can you make a decision and explain it and stick to it if questioned about it.

The background check is done differently by each agency, so I cannot tell you what part should come first or last. I usually start with work history and then go into personal references, but I know people who start the other way also. As for impressing the investigator, don't worry about it. He has seen them with 100's and with 70's on the test. He knows good cops come from both ends of the scale sometimes, as do the bad ones. If he is an old-timer, he probably is a little more afraid of the high scores as having book knowledge and no common sense. The military background will probably weigh better with him, as vets are generally a little more mature and have better judgment (except ensigns and 2LT's ).

[CHL/LEO]

Don't worry about impressing your background investigator. He or she could care less - they are just fact finders that verify items from your Personal History Statement, along with with other checks that they perform. I don't want to pop your bubble but your score on the CST doesn't really weigh much (if any) into your hiring process. Basically, you either pass or fail the test.

Who you need to worry about impressing is the Applicant Interview Board (AIB) members. If you pass through them you will then meet with a Final Interview Board (FIB). If you did well at your AIB you shouldn't have a problem with the FIB. If you had problems with your AIB and barely passed, be prepared for your FIB. Their job is to weed out borderline candidates.

Once you pass your AIB then you'll take your physical and psych tests (srothstein is pretty much right on regarding his comments about the psych process) - at least that's how it was when I went through. In fact, your recruiter should have given you a document that outlines all the steps in the order that you will be going through them during the hiring process.

If you make it through all of that I'd advise you to get in shape (both mentally and physically) as Lt. Owens runs a very tight basic academy.

Good luck.

[milkcartonkid]

Don't worry about impressing your background investigator. He or she could care less - they are just fact finders that verify items from your Personal History Statement, along with with other checks that they perform. I don't want to pop your bubble but your score on the CST doesn't really weigh much (if any) into your hiring process. Basically, you either pass or fail the test.

Who you need to worry about impressing is the Applicant Interview Board (AIB) members. If you pass through them you will then meet with a Final Interview Board (FIB). If you did well at your AIB you shouldn't have a problem with the FIB. If you had problems with your AIB and barely passed, be prepared for your FIB. Their job is to weed out borderline candidates.

Once you pass your AIB then you'll take your physical and psych tests (srothstein is pretty much right on regarding his comments about the psych process) - at least that's how it was when I went through. In fact, your recruiter should have given you a document that outlines all the steps in the order that you will be going through them during the hiring process.

If you make it through all of that I'd advise you to get in shape (both mentally and physically) as Lt. Owens runs a very tight basic academy.

Good luck.

Ok...the CST..kinda figured that. I guess its just to cross "t" and dot "i"s No big deal, i am glad i got what i did. If for nothing more than my own "feelers"!
the AIB, i guess that is who i spoke with the weekend i did the initial physical fitness test/polygraph et al.. i was told "Passed with flying colors" by the lead interviewer (out of 3 total officers)..so not to worried about that part. The PT part is coming...i have been in the gym in anticipation since the end of May and i can handle mindgames. And i quit smoking. <----that part sucked.

I checked out the outline...i guess my question is actually, If my friends are getting called, am i getting close to getting the call to come in for my psych/physical/urinalysis. I mean, are they done with all the rest of the BG to include my work history and criminal checks? It would seem that I would be... Sorry if this is kinda wordy.