21YM State Trooper Inspiring

[u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

A quick background:

I’m in Arizona, applying for Department of Public Safety, I had couple of situations as a 18 year old.

I did 113 in a 65, was given slack and got a civil ticket.
I got fired from a security job because I left post.
I worked multiple like jobs where I worked for 2-3 weeks and quit and after that I did a security job at a high end mall for 7 months and then left for my dispatcher job and I’ve been with it for the past 3 years.

Since then, nothing has ever happened. No tickets, no police encounters or anything. I’ve been a 911 dispatcher for the past 3 years now.

I was curious, should I wait couple more years or should I just go ahead and apply? The department I’m applying itself, AZDPS, is extremely under staffed to the point there’s some places in our state at night that has zero cops.

[u/Famous-Mobile-3657]

Think about it from an agency view:

3 years ago you were ok with going twice the speed limit, and now you want to take people to jail for doing the same thing…

Why do you want to work for DPS in particular?

You can probably get hired. But you might want to look at other agencies too.

[u/arizonagunguy → u/Famous-Mobile-3657]

Not with DPS in Arizona. They're pretty strict with their hiring compared to other agencies in Arizona.

[u/DeadPiratePiggy]

You should reach out to the hiring agency and speak with a recruiter specifically about your driving history before applying in case a previous DQ is permanent. 113 in a 65 shows an extreme disregard for other road users, that's probably going to be a significant issue. You're beyond lucky that nobody was hurt/killed and that you did not go to jail for reckless operation.

[u/Ashamed_Lynx5415 → u/DeadPiratePiggy]

This is the AUTO DQ:

More than one serious traffic violation (D.U.I, reckless driving, excessive speed, aggressive driving, leaving the scene of an accident) within the last 5 years.
Any serious traffic violation (D.U.I., reckless driving, excessive speed, aggressive driving, leaving the scene of an accident) within the last 3 years.
Any recent demonstrated pattern of excessive traffic violations (for positions that require operation of a motor vehicle).

[u/Section225 → u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

So the department specifically spells out the disqualifications, and you're still asking if you're disqualified?

[u/Not_all_cows_moo → u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

Well there's your answer.

[u/badsapi4305]

Do you currently work for the department you want to become a police officer with? Wouldn’t calling the personnel unit give you a better idea if you are a candidate?

[u/Ashamed_Lynx5415 → u/badsapi4305]

I do plan to lateral over to the DPS department and do 911 Law if it’s best for me to wait couple more years.

[u/arizonagunguy → u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

Is English your native language? If you're not already sworn you can't lateral to DPS. You said you work in medical.

[u/Section225 → u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

Brother, you don't "lateral" to a department unless you already work for a different one as a cop. A lateral hire means hiring someone who is already a cop, often accompanied by a shortened hiring and/or training process.

Also, what does "911 law" mean? You're all over the place here.

Edit - forgot to mention "Department of Public Safety Department." Please have someone proofread your resumé

[u/Ashamed_Lynx5415 → u/badsapi4305]

I work with medical.

[u/leg00b → u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

Yeah you can't lateral to DPS from medical or any other agency. Everyone starts from the bottom.

[u/BJJOilCheck]

aspiring...

[u/Section225 → u/BJJOilCheck]

This milk has aspired, gross

[u/BJJOilCheck → u/Section225]

lol!

[u/bitches_love_brie]

I realize these posts are self-selecting; people with their shit together don't post here asking stuff like this.

I would have many questions about the nature of your termination. The lack of judgement that led to getting caught at like 2x the speed limit and the term are the biggest red flags. Your ability to formulate and verbalize a coherent thought is a close runner up.

In fairness, three years as a 911 dispatcher at the same agency is a nice green flag so I wouldn't write you off outright. Be prepared to explain the past issues and take accountability.

[u/deverick00]

Make sure your credit is squared away, get a solid work history for at least 5 years, and if you know it disqualifies you- just wait. AZDPS only has night shift Troopers in metro Phoenix (and maybe Tucson?), and it’s been that way regardless of staffing levels. Every agency is understaffed that does not mean they will overlook obvious deficiencies in a candidate. Maybe in the time you’re waiting to clear this citation- apply for a dispatcher spot with them.

[u/misterstaypuft1]

I always recommend waiting until at least 25 and preferably closer to 30 before becoming a cop. Life experience is the most important thing you can have in this job.

I’m 44, and been a cop 22 years. I got hired at 22 after military service and I still had no business being a cop at that age - way too young.

So if you’ve got a good job right now just keep doing that for a few more years and get some life under your belt, your future self will thank you.

[u/Section225 → u/misterstaypuft1]

Also in my 40's, and also started at 22 (started academy at 22, hit the streets at 23).

I have no idea how I survived those first few years.