Background Review and Strategy Development
Find out what your background will show before an investigator does.
Get your Personal History Statement reviewed by an S2 coach, then talk through every gap and issue in a one-on-one conversation and learn how to address them honestly.
$250 one-time. Enroll online anytime.
Don't lose a year to something you didn't know about.
We created this program in response to the high number of police candidates who unnecessarily waste one to two years in the hiring process because of unidentified background issues. Often, candidates never identify or address the deficiencies that make them un-hireable.
We have found that most background issues can be overcome when they are properly identified and addressed. The first step is knowing what you are dealing with.
Who this is for
This program is built for candidates who:
- Have been non-selected and don't know why
- Have failed a background investigation before
- Are worried a past issue could keep them from being hired
- Want an honest answer on whether they are a valid candidate before they invest more time and money
- Are about to apply and want to find problems first
Sound like you?
What You Get
A Staff Review of Your Background
Our staff reviews your completed Personal History Statement, covering finances, driving, employment, education, relationships, and drug and alcohol use, to find the issues an investigator will question.
A Confidential One-on-One Call
Spend 1 to 2 hours with a coach going through each issue, whether it can be overcome, and how to address it honestly.
A Plan You Can Act On
By the end of your call you will know exactly what to address and how, and which agencies fit your background and career goals.
What we walk through
Every area an investigator will look at, one at a time:
Finances
Debts, collections, and how your money history reads on paper.
Driving
Tickets, accidents, and your license history.
Employment
Where you've worked, gaps, and how each job ended.
Education and grades
Your school record and anything in it that needs explaining.
Relationships
Personal relationships and associations, and how they may be viewed.
Drug and alcohol use
Past use and how it is evaluated.
How It Works
- Enroll. Create your account and pay the one-time $250 fee.
- Complete your form. Download the official California POST Personal History Statement (form 2-251), or upload the background form for your own state. Be as thorough as you can. Anything you leave blank, we will help you fill out during your session.
- We review it. An S2 staff member goes through your answers before your call, so your time together goes to solutions.
- Schedule your call. Stan Appel is your primary contact. Your 1 to 2 hour one-on-one call is scheduled within 3 business days and held over Google Meet. Bring a notepad. Your call is a conversation, and you will want to take notes.
Ready to find out what your background will show?
Includes your staff review and a 1 to 2 hour confidential one-on-one call with a coach.
Police officers who have been on both sides of the process.
Every S2 instructor is a current or retired police officer. Our four lead instructors bring 141 years of combined law enforcement experience, and three of them retired as Senior Investigators with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. They know how investigators read a background because they have been the investigator.
Frequently asked questions
What if I have a serious issue like a DUI, a bankruptcy, or a past termination?
It depends on the issue, the agency, and the details. That is exactly what the call is for. We will tell you honestly whether it can be overcome and how to approach it.
Will this guarantee I get hired?
No. S2 does not make hiring decisions and cannot guarantee any outcome. We help you understand and address your background so you can be the strongest candidate you can be.
Can I leave something off the form if it's embarrassing?
No. Deliberately leaving out or misstating information can get a candidate disqualified. The review only works if we see the full picture.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is coaching, not legal advice.
I'm just thinking about applying. Is it too early?
No. It is often the best time to find out what is in your background, before you invest more time and money in the process.
How does the call work?
Stan Appel is your primary contact. Your call is scheduled within 3 business days and held over Google Meet. Bring a notepad. Your call is a conversation, and you will want to take notes.
How should I fill out the form?
Be as thorough as you can. Anything you leave blank, we will help you fill out during your session.
I'm not in California. Can I still do this?
Yes. We work with candidates in all 50 states. Background investigations are largely the same everywhere. Use the California POST form we provide, or upload your own state's form if you have it.
Can I reschedule, or ask about my purchase?
Need to reschedule or have a question about your purchase? Talk to us. We work with you to make it work.
One-time fee: $250
Includes your staff review and a 1 to 2 hour confidential one-on-one call with a coach.
Enroll NowGo to your courseAlready enrolled? Log in
Need to reschedule or have a question about your purchase? Talk to us. We work with you to make it work.
Please note: this is coaching, not legal advice. S2 does not make hiring decisions and cannot guarantee any outcome. Be truthful on your form.
After your review
Your call is the start. Depending on where you land, S2 can help with the next steps:
Oral interview prep
A group class or a private session. 99.9% of those who have attended the group class have passed their oral interview.
Learn more →
Physical fitness certification
For candidates in the background process who need to update their fitness or physical assessment test scores for their background investigators.
Learn more →
Candidate Preparation Class
Group physical fitness classes modeled after the P.O.S.T. academy fitness program, with mentoring and guidance by police officers.
Learn more →