I worked as a local cop for 13 years. I left resigned for the job 10.5 years ago, when my ex-wife made an allegation against me. I was never charged with a criminal offense as a result of her allegation. I recently applied for a federal administrative job that is moderate risk, and requires a sp85p. The job history section on the SF85p, including who you left, and also the criminal history section only ask for 7 years of data. I have had no problems in the last 7 years, and I have worked at a large financial for the last 6 years. The job did require FBI fingerprints when I was hired. My FBI finger print record, which I also requested from fieldprint, does not show anything on it. Will that law enforcement employment job that I left 10.5 years ago come up in the investigation, or is it out of scope because it was outside of the 7 years? Thank you everyone.
For Public Trust, I believe that’s out of scope since you weren’t charged and was more than 7 years ago. But, for certain things like, for example, being arrested for domestic violence, if the investigator finds that, regardless of the time period, they are likely to ask you about it. They would probably ask your ex as well.
I was never arrested for Domestic Violence. There was an epo issued, and I got one against her at the time after speaking to my lawyer. Both EPOs were consensually dismissed in court. Those EPO were shielded, so they are no longer available on the court’s website. All this happened in 2015. I have never been convicted of any crime, and I have never arrested for Domestic Violence. Right now I have a private sector job with a large financial company. I know I have to list my ex spouse on the SF 85p. Do you think it would be worth taking this moderate risk SF85p job, or would it be too much risk for me to start that job, since I believe the background check would not be completed until after I started the job. Since I currently have a job in the private sector, I would hate to start a job and then be denied the public trust, and fired. I have not had anything on my record, except my divorce was finalized in 2016, since that time. Is it worth the risk to move ahead with the federal job?
You are the only one who can decide if it’s worth the risk or not. Too many factors…pay, commute time, work culture, the criteria that come with holding a public trust status, POSSIBLY having to explain the 2015 incident…all would be considerations.
If it were me, and the other factors were the same, and I’m happy where I am with a possibility of career growth and pay raises, I’d stay. But I hate change, and I’m a crusty old broad so your experience may differ.
PS. On the SF 86 the question reads “have you ever been convicted of an offense involving domestic violence…” (I’m paraphrasing from memory). The SF85 goes back 5 years for police record, (section 16) asks about arrests, summons, citations, tickets, charges, crimes, etc. but nothing specifically about domestic violence. Google the SF85 and read through the section. That might help.
Since you will have to list your divorce on your SF 85P, the investigator should ask the reason for the divorce and “irreconcilable differences” doesn’t cut it. This is where you may want to be upfront about everything regarding the divorce and anything that pertains to the divorce. Yes your divorce and the EPO were 10 years ago and is outside the scope of investigation, but it is always better to be upfront and honest. As we tell all Subject’s under investigation, the adjudicator looks at the “whole person” not just isolated incidents.