I've got a lil' question for ya'll.....

[AzAtrox]

...Back in July, I applied for a police department out-of-state...I spent a week there, and completed all the requisite tests....(i.e. written, poly, psych, medical, etc.)....I got numerous calls from friends (people I listed as references) and my boss saying that they just received literature from this department requesting info from them....

Additionally, I received a letter from a BI at this department requesting that I distribute 3 sealed envelopes to 3 of my neighbors and 1 to my landlord...Obviously, these are to ascertain whether I'm a "problem child" in my apartment complex or not....

My question is this....Knowing that departments operate in (sometimes) VERY different ways, am I to assume that they are just beginning my background investigation, or that they are finishing up, and need these as confirmation for what they have found?

BTW, the department in question is the New Orleans Police Department, and I've been informed that their backgrounds can vary from 2-8 months (depending on the candidate, of course!)

Thanks for the feedback!

-AzAtrox

[dano]

I do not work in LE. Nonetheless, my experience in hiring processes has taught me it is impossible to tell where you’re at in the BI phase.

It sounds like the BI is following SOP (whatever that dept's SOP is).

Contacting your references, neighbors and former employers is just part of the process. It may be that they have already done the criminal, military, education and credit screenings as I assume that these do not involve as much lag time (whereas, the completion of this phase of the BI is contingent upon receipt of the respondents information). This is pure speculation though.

On the other hand, they may send this information out before proceeding with other checks because they know it can take a month+ to get information from all the respondents.

Suffice to say that the process is moving along at whatever merry pace they want it to. It may be sooner, it may be later... Eventually, however, it will be completed.

Admittedly, it is easier said than done but I think you should just sit back, relax and be patient. It sounds like you aren't too concerned about any BG issues so I am sure it will go well.

[AzAtrox]

Yeah, I'm not too concerned about background issues....No illegal drugs, never been thrown in jail, Bachelor's degree, no tix in the last few years......

I suppose you're right....The investigation will proceed along whatever pace THEY set it at, and I'll just have to sit on my hands and wait....Not a whole lot I can do now anyway....It's just kinda frustrating because patience has never been one of my better virtues, and this is the 5th or 6th department I've applied with, and the second to make it this far....(I wasn't hired at the other one due to "budgetary reasons").....


-Thanx again for the response!

-AzAtrox

[snpusmc]

How was the process with the NOPD, They seem to have ongoing hiring for the past few years. How was the test, personel you delt with and process up to now?

[RoscoeRuhl]

Since you started the process in july and it's only august now, I'd say that things are moving well and probably suprisingly fast! People are being contacted and they're following up with you. Barring complications with mail and the degree of attention that those involved apply to the process, it shouldn't take long. These things never go fast enough for the applicant and they seem to drag on forever for those doing the work! Such is life!

Have a great day!