Friend was denied LEO job because of too many guns...

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CountGlockula

CountGlockula

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Disclaimer: This is in no way bashing the excellent organization of law enforcement. I have ultimate respect for those who volunteer to put their lives on the line. Anyways...

My wife and I are getting some stuff done at our home and I bumped into my contracter/friend who's changing careers to become a police officer.

The last time I saw him was probably 6-7 months ago as he was going through the initial stages: written exams, psychological tests, interviews, etc.

When I saw him yesterday he looked great, he lost 50 lbs!!! But the bad news he shared was his application for the LAPD and the LA County Sheriff's department was denied. Reason why is that he owns a lot firearms (his dad is a collector) and owns a UT CCW permit (the agency's reason was that him owning the permit, was a liability issue).

Can anyone please share some additional light on why a young man who has a passion with firearms and CCW permit approved holder cannot get into law enforcement?

What saddens me is that he's always wanted to become a law enforcement officer for a long time.

He's going to try again with the local police department to give it another shot.

Thanks.
 
If your friend is really committed to a profession in Law Enforcement perhaps he can apply at another department, that has a more lenient acceptance policy, maybe in a more rural area and do a lateral department transfer?

As to why LAPD & LASD denied? I personally think their excusse is BS. They are so afraid of any liability they will choose a candidate who has little or no experience over one who does out of fear. This carries over into the issuance of CCW.
 
Why would they ever even ask him how many guns he has. If he owns, or has experience shooting, seems adequate to me. I'm resisting the urge to call it typical CA liberal bull puckey.....trying real hard.....
 
If he has something in writing that says that I would think you could take that to the courts. If a department I was applying for asked me how many guns I had, I would respectfully tell them that is none of their business and then ask them what that has to do with my application. There are other departments though and I would consider hanging my hat elsewhere anyways if I was asked that question.
 
Actually, when I got interviewed for a PD reserved position they require you to list the firearms you own-with serial numbers. It's probably standard operating procedure for the background check.
 
I dont think they can do that if you really pressed the issue but Im not certain. Last I checked they do not ask here in OKC.
 
Here in Maine they're only interested in make, model, caliber, and serial number of guns you qualify with for duty use.
 
Why work for either of those fine law enforcement organizations, anyway?

There are sure places I'd rather work as a cop than LA, and a lot of them wouldn't give two ****s about a gun collection.
 
Actually, when I got interviewed for a PD reserved position they require you to list the firearms you own-with serial numbers. It's probably standard operating procedure for the background check.
Click to expand...

Every now and then someone may have their RKBA denied if there is a "problem" that occurs later down the road.
If that should ever occur, "they" just want a list of what to come looking for.
 
LAPD is a great way to find yourself scapegoated for something, and LASD patrols unincorporated Watts.

There are plenty of other police departments out there.
 
Tell him to move across the border into Free AZ, we have lots of agencies who are looking for qulaified people. Phoenix PD comes to mind, right off the bat - advertising on yahoo, of all places.
 
I was going to apply to the LAPD as a reserve officer, went to orientation, took tests, and after looking over the Financial disclosure required on the personal investigation questioneer I decided not to. It's none of their business how much money I make What my financial and realestate holdings are. After reading this I'm sure my FL & UT CCW's & collection would have caused a rejection as well.
 
Tell him to apply for Portsmouth Va police department. they recently hired a guy that was a fellon..........he made it to the acadmey graduation and was arested (and fired) shortly there after Funny how a fellon can make it through a 6 month acadmey and not get noticed.
 
LAPD is a great way to find yourself scapegoated for something, and LASD patrols unincorporated Watts.

There are plenty of other police departments out there.
Click to expand...

LAPD actually covers Watts, its patrolled by SouthEast Div. LASD covers Florence/Firestone and Compton, which basically surround Watts. LASD requires all recruits after the Police Academy to do a 2 or 4 year tour in the Jails, before hitting the streets.

LAPD is good agency, but with every agency they all have their inherent problems. Not one single agency is perfect.

I would suggest other county S.O's such as Ventura or Orange. Smaller city departments are hiring non-stop all across Southern California.
 
Thanks for your input. As we speak he's at our local pd, Glendale, to try again.

He'll have other better options I'm sure. Whether it be a small local station or out of state.

But just sharing what happened, that left me :cuss:.
 
It is standard procedure to ask questions about financial status, tax issues, investments and holdings. It is very common to ask about an applicant's hobbies, interests, and memberships in clubs and service organizations.

1. They want to have some indication of how "needy" a candidate is to assess the risk of them using the "power" of the badge to enrich themselves.

2. To find out what kind of people they commonly associate with. Affiliations prior to becoming LE can go along way in influeincing how they choose to enforce the laws.

3. While interest in, and proficiency with, firearms used to be a major qualifying factor it is now far less inportant to a major LE agency. They are so busy meeting the equal opportunity standards which require them to hire by percentages that being "qualified: has taken on a whole new meaning.

Yes it sucks!
 
He should sue them! Sorry, I am not pro lawsuit, but it sounds discriminatory to me based on this person only exercising their 2nd ammendment rights...
 
He should sue them! Sorry, I am not pro lawsuit, but it sounds discriminatory to me based on this person only exercising their 2nd amendment rights...
Click to expand...

Pretty sure being a gun owner isn't a protected class. He'd have to be discriminated on the basis of race, religion, etc. in order to sue
 
I've worked for three different departments over the years and no one was ever concerned about how many guns I owned.

I will say that if he presented himself in the interviews as being fixated or enamored with gun and shooting, he probably didn't pass. No one wants to hire a real life "Tackleberry". Even if he didn't leave that exact impression, profiency with and an interest in weapons scares administrative types almost as much as it scares the antis. Maybe more, because they see liability.

There are plenty of police departments out there. He should apply somewhere else and don't reveal anything more about his aptitude with firearms then what they ask him about.

Jeff
 
Not on the books

Lady Justice has scales that balance from left and right.

I think a suit through the EEOC; though I don't know what law to hang my hat on would be appropriate in this instance.

They will not even listen unless your friend has enough desire to take it to the courts in any case.
Should he win, he may even be reimbursed the cost.
 
My agency never asked me about any of my firearms or if I had a ccw. That was 12 years ago though and in AZ. They did however require a credit check just like applying for a loan which I dont agree with but they say is shows a certain amount of responsiblility if are not behind on payments etc and I would have to agree. They never asked about how much money I had, how large the loan on my house was or anything like that though.

We have numerous officers with multiple (lots and lots) firearms and ccw's and its never been an issue. And they never asked for a list of my firearms and serial numbers.

Agencies do not have to disclose why you were not hired or taken off of the list etc. Maybe they jusy gave you a excuse and their reason was something different altogether?

Im aware of someone that did not get hired bcause they were an applicant and an intern or volunteer and inquired about a reward for something that had been involved in while off the clock. That ended up being the reason they were not hired. They thought it showed something about his character.

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