The Police Applicant Podcast

Remember Alex from episode 31? He's back with his update and what it took to get hired after 14 years!! He'll tell us how he finally got hired and what his academy was like. Join us as we catch up with him and celebrate this great VICTORY! ___________________ Contact Ken: ken[at sign]policebackground.net Contact Minerva: minerva[at sign]policebackground.net Contact Donovan: donovan[at sign]policeb...

In this episode we interview retired Loudon County SD Lieutenant Colette about how playing professional soccer, having a dad who was FBI, and coming up through the ranks shaped her as a police officer. She now co-owns a K9 business with her husband and mentors young people wanting to get into law enforcement. This is a great listen! ___________________ Contact Minerva: mingaines213 [at sign] gmail...

Joanna's story may be like yours. She experienced childhood abuse, her father is a convicted felon, and she hit a cop! Her story is an amazing one of overcoming and never giving up. Will her childhood keep her from being hired? Join us as we discuss what she needs to do to realize her dream of being a cop.  ___________________ Contact Minerva: mingaines213 [at sign] gmail.com You're now able...

In this episode we interview old school T/O Julie, who is a 25-year veteran training officer from the Pacific Northwest. She's a Training Officer of The Year recipient. Julie tells us what it takes to pass probation and how to survive policing in a busy city. We know you'll enjoy this episode!  ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pd...

Merry Christmas Season to all of our listeners!! Here's what's going on at the podcast!!  ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for background consultation information: www.policebackground.net

This is a special Legacy Podcast. On November 29, 2009, four Lakewood, Washington police officers were fatally shot at the Forza Coffee shop, near Tacoma. A gunman, later identified as Maurice Clemmons, entered the shop, shot the officers while they worked on laptops, and fled the scene with a single gunshot wound in his torso. After a massive two-day manhunt, Officer Ben Kelly of the Seattle PD,...

Join us as we interview Sgt. J who is an old school sergeant in the great state of Texas. We talk about everything from hiring to police work. We kjnow you'll enjoy this episode! ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for backgroun...

Let's talk backgrounds! In this episode we interview Oregon background investigator Jim Shumway. The BI's compared investigative styles, how different BI's deal with candidates, the academy (stress vs. non-stress), and other topics. ___________________ *Contact Minerva: mingaines213[at]gmail.com * Contact Jim Shumway: jshumway[at]beavertonoregon.gov You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly...

In this episode we interview Jay from Southern California. Jay wasn't selected when he first applied but kept trying. He was hired by the LA County Sheriff's Department and assigned to the jails. He decided a police department was more his style and decided to lateral a couple of years in. He has a great story to tell! ___________________  You're now able to support our podcast!  Monthly...

In this episode we answer our listener submitted questions! We are joined by retired U.S. Navy veteran Adria McClain, who is an aspiring reserve deputy sheriff. Adria is also a geophysicist for the U.S. government and put Ken and Donovan's knowledge about hiring to the test with tons of questions!! We really enjoyed this episode! ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly...

In this episode we interview Commander Aaron Clem of the Kennewick (WA) PD. Cmdr. Clem started at KPD in 1996 and has worked Patrol, Narco, SWAT, and a Federal Gang Task Force, among other assignments. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. We discuss all things Kennewick and why you should work there! ___________________ Kennewick PD is hiring: https://www.go2kennewick.com/406/Police-...

Minerva, Donovan, and Ken hosted this Sept. 15th, 2022, YouTube Live to discuss the ride-along!  We discussed do's & don'ts, how to dress, and what questions to ask.  ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for backgro...

The investigators - Ken, Minerva, and Donovan will be joining together for a FIRST EVER Meet & Greet with our Washington listeners!! RSVP today for this special event on Saturday - October 15th @ 1:00 pm! 

This is your mid-week announcements episode! Here's everything coming up: Washington state Meet & Greet with our listeners, Special listener's Q&A episode, Special online listener's Meet & Greet, and a few other things! ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate...

In this episode we interview Bakersfield PD (Calif.) Officer Ian Whittington. He was our guest on episode 23. He told us how he was the #1 candidate for hire, entered the academy and quit on day one. Ian returned to the academy after some real soul searching and recently completed probation. He shares what his FTO experience was like. Another great interview with Ian! ___________________ You're no...

In this special YouTube Live episode, the investigators discuss the dreaded oral interview. Donovan, Minerva, and Ken break down what you need to know about the interview and how to pass it.  You can find another more in-depth discussion on this interview on episode 3 with retired LAPD mentor/recruiter Caroline Zavala.    __________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Mo...

This was a special event YouTube Live and Facebook Live we recorded on August 26th, 2022. We took live questions from our listeners and answered them. In this episode we interview longtime Background Investigation Division supervisor JJ Williams who witnessed the downfall of LAPD hiring over 20 years. He retired in 2022. We're publishing it as a special episode for the podcast.  In August 2022, th...

In this interview we interview Ron Z., who is a deputy sheriff in Nebraska. We discuss the hiring process, academy, and FTO. The FTO process was an interesting discussion! ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for background consu...

In this episode we interview Sgt. Eric Tung and Officer Brian Cortinas of the Kent, Washington PD Recruitment Unit. We talk about war stories, recruitment, testing, physical training, and being a cop in 2022.  Kent PD is hiring: Kent Police Department Law Enforcement Careers (kentpolicerecruiting.com ) ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anch...

In this episode we interview Thomas, a California deputy sheriff. He failed his first self-sponsored academy, returned a few months later and became the class president. He's been on for four years and is working patrol. This is a great story! ___________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypa...

Minerva hosts this special edition episode about women in law enforcement. Our guests are Officer Katie C. (east coast) and Sgt. Sharon K (west coast). This episode is a great listen for our female and male applicants alike. The women talk about working in a male dominated profession, the academy, recruitment, and the challenges facing female officers. You don't want to miss this one! ____________...

In this episode we interview Jarrod who is an applicant from Florida. We discuss his journey so far. Jarrod is also a black belt instructor in Jiu-Jitsu. A big part of this episode is about self-defense and the need to be ready for street fighting that is inherent to patrol work. Are you ready to defend yourself in the street? __________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: h...

This is a special update about you guys! Ken covers our most popular recent episodes, how you can join us in a special event roundtable, and other news! Get caught up!  _________________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for background consu...

In this episode we interview a Lt from a large southern U.S. department about her academy experience, whether getting a college degree is important, and the challenges women who are applying need to be aware of.  __________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE...

LAPD Officer Ruben Avalos spent ten years trying to become an officer. After 33 apps and 10 DQ's in 10 years, he finally landed on Ken Roybal's desk in 2006. This is his story. __________ You're now able to support our podcast! Monthly donations: https://anchor.fm/pdbackgrounds/support One-time donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VM6AE5B2A6VF2 Go here for background consultat...