8 Common Reasons for Rejection When Applying for a Job as a Police Officer

The police test is not simple to pass. From the 35% of those who pass it, just 10% get hired. It’s about how the exam is approached and how the questions are answered with factual information. Many qualified men and women with exceptional academic and physical abilities have made mistakes and failed to get hired.

Here are some common reasons for application rejection to avoid as a rookie when applying for a police officer job.

Why Candidates Get Turned Down?

There seems to be no denying that learning to be a police officer is challenging. Still, you’ll only be capable of executing the job that you’ll be asked to do if you receive targeted and professional education and training. The job of a police officer is tough, and no other career beyond the security forces requires as many talents and abilities or as much labor. That is why the candidate must demonstrate their capability by successfully passing the Police Officer Entrance Exam, which is typically tough to pass. But there’s something about it that many people don’t get.

1. You Didn’t Fill Out The Application forms Truthfully

Let’s imagine this is your first time filling out a form with any department. You probably make an error and fail to give an address. You also complete out a form for another department, and your two forms don’t match each other.

When a law enforcement agency receives a new job application, they need you to disclose every one of the departments to which you have applied. After that, they phone and fax each other every single page of your job forms to figure out which of the departments you’re misrepresenting. This is a regular element of doing a background check.

And soon, they will inform you about finding a discrepancy in your background history.

Solution: First and foremost, get a complete duplicate of every law enforcement application you’ve ever completed. Double-check that all of the same information is included in each one. if you have a query regarding the structure of your replies or the questions they’re asking, call their department and ask for clarification.

You can also notify your next department investigator in person that you feel there was a problem and that you’d be pleased to address any questions regarding any forms you’ve submitted to other departments.

2. You Didn’t Fill Out The Application forms Truthfully

This happens when a candidate forgets to put information or leaves out an employer status. The result is the same as before: you will fail to get selected for the job.

So, it is best to avoid making the same mistake in the other law enforcement application by preparing a document with all your past and present application and employment. In this way, you will mention every detail without missing any.

3. You Have Friends Who Don’t Follow the Law

It is quite frustrating but true. While law enforcement does a background check, they also check your acquaintances, friends, and family who have any criminal background and are currently involved in criminal activity.

If a police officer’s job is more valuable than your friends and relatives, it is best to end ties with them completely to add it to your plus point.

4. Bad Employment Experience

If someone found it difficult to keep their job and got fired, it might raise a red flag to a law enforcement agency. Recruiting and training a new candidate takes time, money, and effort for agencies. A person who has a history of not holding down a job is a high-risk applicant.

Furthermore, if you were fired from a prior job because you created issues or demonstrated an unwillingness to follow commands, you will not be able to get selected.

5. History of Driving

Potential police officers must also have a clean background. However, the criteria may vary depending on the agency. Some departments will not recruit someone with a speeding ticket history, rash driving history, roadside accidents with their fault.

6. History of Drug Usage

Every agency has its policies regarding drugs. Any current drug misuse will automatically disqualify you. Most agencies refuse to hire people who have taken drugs, including cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and other similar substances. In most circumstances, if the candidate has not used drugs in the last one or two years, they have a chance of getting disqualified.

7. Criminal Record

Felony records are the most relevant part of determining whether or not you are suitable for employment as a police officer.Crimes especially violence or domestic abuse can be problematic. If you’ve got a history of domestic violence, you will not be trusted to properly resolve such issues or respond appropriately when called to such a situation.

8. Postings On Social Media That Aren’t Appropriate

In today’s era, everything you publish has the potential to get you into trouble. Photos depicting you drinking excessively, doing drugs, or acting in a way that demonstrates poor judgment, will get you disqualified. Photos or social media posts that are racist, sexist, or discriminating in any form are also a problem.

 

To become a police officer is a challenging task that necessitates a significant amount of work on the part of the applicant. To begin, go through the job vacancies to see which ones are the best fit for you. Then you must study for the written exam using Police Exam practice tests and prepare for the polygraph and interview.

Civil Service Success is a private tutoring and preparation company that offers course materials and workshops to people who want to take the Suffolk County Police Exam.

For more than 45 years, our New York-based school has been assisting students in passing their exams with flying colors.

We provide preparation classes for the NYS Court Officer Exam, the NYC Sanitation Officer Exam, and a variety of other civil service exams.

To learn more, register with us.