The NYPD Police Officer Background Investigation is a long and intricate process in which an Investigator will delve deeply into your personal life in order to get a full picture of who you are, including facts about your past and present relationships, employment and personal activities. How long it will take depends on how extensive your personal facts are (i.e.: have you lived in many places or only a few, have you had many jobs or just one, etc.). Based on the facts discovered during the Background Investigation, the process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months or longer.

If you are applying for a federal law enforcement position, the Investigation process is even more extensive (i.e.: collecting fingerprints, completing Questionnaires for National Security Positions, polygraphs and a background investigation) the process could take a year or more, since most of federal law enforcement positions require the candidate obtain security clearance before they are deemed eligible for access to classified information.

Regardless of the law enforcement position you are applying for, you must be patient, as the background investigation is a lengthy process and you will need to remain at the disposal of the hiring agency until the process is complete.

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

A very important part of the NYPD Police Officer Application Process is the Candidate background investigation. This process can be the deciding factor as to whether or not you are deemed eligible to become a Police Officer. You need to have a clean record if you want to be approved by the hiring agency. Passing the psychological screening is also a vital step in the hiring process. 

The background investigation will begin the moment you submit your application. Since the hiring process can take a very long time, you should remember to quickly notify the hiring agency of any changes that may occur from the time you filed your original application (i.e.: address, phone number, contact information, jobs or any other information that has changed since your original application). Not only is it smart to do this as soon as possible, but such diligence will work in your favor, as it shows that you are responsible and are able to follow through on tasks without being prompted. It will also save you time, since the investigators will not have to guess where you currently reside or how to contact you.

The background investigation involves the hiring agency looking into the following:

Friends/Family: The hiring agency will delve into your personal life. They will check in with your family, friends and relatives to find out what kind of person you are. Investigators will make personal visits to your home and ask your family and friends many questions and gather personal information about you. And, if you have been divorced within the past ten years, they will also interview your ex-spouse.

Education: The investigators will obtain transcripts from your high school and colleges to verify the educational information you provided on your application. They may also interview former teachers, professors and classmates.  And, they will check to see if you had any disciplinary actions against you while in school.

Employment history: The background investigator will check with your previous employers to find out why you no longer work for them. If you can get a positive referral from your previous employer, this could work in your favor. However, is they discover you were let go for negative reasons (such as failing to fulfil your duties), this could adversely affect your chances of getting a job in law enforcement.

Criminal record: If you have any felony convictions, it will be difficult, if not possible for you to continue through the hiring process, as the hiring agency will question how you can enforce the law, if you are unable to live according to the law.

Credit history: The background check will also include checking your financial behavior. Investigators will check your credit history to see whether or not you are financially responsible, as they feel this gives them insight as to how trustworthy you are.

Drug Use/Abuse: If you currently use/abuse drugs, the Investigator will see this as a sufficient reason to disqualify you. If you currently do not use drugs, but have in the past, whether or not a hiring agency will consider you for the job really depends on that particular department, as the tolerance in different departments vary greatly as to how they view past drug use.

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

Once you have taken the exam, the NYC Department for Citywide Administration Services (DCAS) will generate your “list number”. List numbers are generated only to Candidates who pass the exam and are generated by exam score (meaning the higher your score, the lower your list number will be).

After you pass the exam, the NYPD’s Candidate Assessment Division will email you an invitation to create a NYPD Candidate Portal account. Through this Portal, you will required to complete the Personal History Questionnaire, as this is where your assessment process starts. During this time you will be asked to prepare and upload additional documents through the Portal (which you can find at NYPD Candidate Portal (nypdonline.org)

At your first interview you will be required to bring and/or upload certain documentation. A list of the items you will be required to upload and/or bring will be listed on your NYPD Candidate Portal after you complete your Personal History Questionnaire.

You can expect the hiring process to take an average of 6 months to 1 year to be hired. In rare cases the process can take as little as 2 months or as long as 4 years depending upon each candidate’s situation. Your exam is valid for four years from the date your list number is established.

For more information about the NYPD Hiring Process, click the link below:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/police-officers/faqs-hiring-pos.page#psy

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

If you have been Psychologically Disqualified by the NYPD for the position of Police Officer, Correction Officer, Firefighter or any other civil service job, you should begin appealing immediately, as you only have 30 days to start the process.

Although you can Appeal your Disqualification on your own, a more prudent choice is to hire experts in the field who are familiar with the civil service appeals process and who have extensive knowledge and experience appealing Psychological Disqualifications.

Regardless of whether you were psychologically disqualified for anxiety, depression, poor judgment or any other reason, you should start your appeal as soon as possible, so your record does not follow you, raising red flags for anyone viewing them, thereby ruining your chances of securing a civil service job in the future.

In order to appeal your Psychological DQ, you will need to hire a Clinical Psychologist who will review your file, have you undergo additional tests and prepare a psychological evaluation on your behalf.

You should also hire an experienced Attorney who will advise you of your rights, review your entire civil service psychological record and prepare you for all the steps and hurdles you will face throughout the appeals process. Your attorney will also work closely with your Psychologist and prepare and file all of your appeals documents. Hiring an expert Attorney and Psychologist will give you the best chance of reversing your disqualification and clearing your name.

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com

If you received a Psychological Disqualification, it is imperative that you seek the legal advice of a highly-skilled attorney, experienced in handling these types of civil service cases. You must also act fast, as you only have 30 days to initiate your appeal.

Even if you decide you no longer wish to pursue the position you were disqualified for, you should still appeal your disqualification rather than withdraw. If you are deemed Psychologically Unsuitable, the NYPD and/or DOC will offer you the opportunity to Withdraw. However, Candidates should never accept this offer, because even if you decide to Withdraw, your psychological files will remain with the NYPD and/or DOC, and the documentation therein can be utilized at any time in the future by the NYPD, DOC or another law enforcement agency. The only way to truly clear your name is to appeal your psychological disqualification.

Hiring an experienced attorney will greatly increase your chances for a successful appeal, as your attorney will review your history, point out any red flags and counsel you on the best way to handle the tough questions you will be expected to answer during your psychological interviews. If you are serious about achieving a positive outcome, then advance preparation with an expert attorney is your best bet of making it to your chosen career.

If you failed your NYPD Psychological Evaluation or have been disqualified for any reason and would like to schedule a free consultation, please feel free to contact Kevin Sheerin at 516 248 0040.

Email: kevin@sheerinlaw.com

Website: www.sheerinlaw.com

Blog: civilservice.sheerinlaw.com

Facebook: Law_Office_of Kevin_P._Sheerin

Twitter: @DQLawyer

Podcast: www.newyorkcivilservicelawattorneypodcast.com