nopolycop wrote on Jan 19^th, 2008 at 2:54pm:

 
I told the truth and am now being accused of being a liar. It hurts when falsely accused.

Thanks for the replies, I will update when things become more clear.  Thanks again.

I agree with Sarge and 80% of what nopolycop stated---but I especially agreed with nopoly's statement about firefighting. Firefighters are cool----they get great benefits, and are universally respected---and there is no questioning their motives----they save lives, period. No one calls fire fighters "pigs" or "rats." They have a strong union, a far less prevalant divorce and/or suicide rate, and yes, they typically do not take polygraphs. Remember, with getting a job as a firefighter, personality is 33% of getting hired----no one wants to be cooped up in the firehouse with a petty jerk or someone with a boulder on their shoulder. FYI

Good post Sarge, I completely agree.  I also say tell the truth, and if there are disqualifying items in your past, so be it.  If you want to help society, go become a fireman, they don't have to take polygraphs.  The real problem with the poly is telling the truth and then being accused of a liar.  There is a reasonably good likelyhood that could occur, so be steeled for that possibility.

Good luck.

The point is that integrity is required to be a good police officer.

Lying on your application in order to get a job does not show integrity.

Tell the truth on your application and during your background investigation and you will be demonstrating personal integrity.  If your past behavior disqualifies you from that department, apply elsewhere.  If your past behavior is such that it disqualifies you from employment at any law enforcement agency, seek a different career.

Integrity includes accepting responsibility for mistakes you have made, even if you were not yet an adult when you made them.

Today I found this site and began doing research I posted a question but deleted once I realized it had been answered  a thousand times already.  I myself have a shady past but have honorably served in the military for the past seven years.  I was young once just as all of you were.  You make rash stupid decisions when you are that age.  What is it "He who has no sin, cast the first stone".  I have read a number of posts from a number of different people who basicaly act as if they have never done anything they regretted.  Give me a break.  

I would love to become apart of a PD but I too have to take a polygraph.   Be honest and become disqualifed automaticaly or "lie" and possibly get a job that I really want and [b]deserve[/b].  Not to be a bad cop, not for any wrong reasons, just to do something I would love doing and would be great at.

I have read many times today on this site people replying to others in a predicament not so unlike mine that it is a great thing they failed and are not a LEO.  What?!!?  How does what I did at 16 determie who I am today.  Our president snorted Cocaine.  Hes good enough to lead the Free World but I am not good enough to give someone a speeding ticket.

While I find this site very informative and am glad I found it, please to all stop taking yourselves to seriously and realize we all come short at perfection in different areas.  If things dont work out and I fail my poly then so be it but not for one second will I believe its because I didnt deserve it or would not have  been good at it, its the failed bureacratic system we have put in place that puts to much emphasis on what once was and not what is true now, through this machine that is used but isnt even admissable in court.  Good luck to all with situations that they are worried about.  And thanks to the creators of this board for the good info.