can i fix this mistake?

[magnetar]

I recently applied and passed the written exam and the preliminary background questionnaire for a local law enforcement agency.  About a few months ago, took another exam for a different agency and passed the exam and PBQ too.  After reading some of the posts it is clear that when someone reaches the BI portion of the hiring process for a law enforcement agency that they (BI units) cross reference applicants information to other agencies for which they applied to in the past.  My problem is that my responses on both PBQ's  do not match and I don't know what to do.  I have not entered the BI for either agency but I'm worried that when I do, I will be disqualified for both agencies for lying. http://antipolygraph.org/YaBBImages/huh.gif
Huh

Should I voluntarily withdraw my application for the first police agency I applied to a few months ago so that I can avoid a DQ?

or

Should I throw in the towel for both agencies?

I would greatly appreciate any help or suggestions that anyone can give me.

[dimas]

IT would really help to know if they are different because you LIED on both of them or it they are different because you remembered a few more things on the second one and included them there.  

If it was a simple mistake on your part and not a lie, you can actually write to the department/s and correct the mistake via a letter in which you address the issue that you remembered some other issues on a continuation sheet.  Most of the time if this is done before the actuall background investigation begins you are going to be fine.  People make mistakes and often times those Background Questionaires ask A LOT of information and it can be easy to forget some of it.  You can probably contact the department regarding this issue and they can tell you exactly what to do to remedy the situation.


Both agencies may actually request the information from the other, however, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will share it with each other.  Each agency has a human resources department with differing policies on this.  I have worked for some departments that did not reveal any information, besides date of application and disposition of such application.

I highly recommend that you attempt to fix this situation, instead of throw in the towel or allow a lie or omission to follow you around.  Lying is absolutely no way for you to start a career in LE.

Good luck