How to Prepare for the Personal History Statement (PHS) Before It’s Too Late
Applying to become a police officer is exciting, but one step catches many applicants off guard:
The Personal History Statement (PHS).
A lot of applicants think the PHS is something they can quickly knock out in a few hours.
It’s not.
In fact, one of the most common reasons applicants get disqualified is simply because they run out of time trying to complete their PHS.
If you have an extensive background, multiple jobs, prior addresses, military service, schools attended, traffic citations, or personal references to track down, the process can take much longer than expected.
The good news?
You can prepare now.
What Is the Personal History Statement?
The PHS is a detailed background document used during the hiring process to help investigators review your history.
It typically asks for information such as:
Previous addresses
Employment history
School history
Military service
Family information
Personal references
Traffic citations
Criminal history (if applicable)
Financial history
Prior law enforcement applications
Social media information
Other background details
This isn’t something you want to rush.
Accuracy matters.
Why Applicants Get Disqualified
Many applicants underestimate how detailed the PHS is.
They start the process thinking:
“I’ll just fill it out when I get the email.”
Then reality hits.
Suddenly they’re trying to remember:
An old supervisor’s phone number
The exact month they worked somewhere
A full address from years ago
Contact information for references
Dates from military service
Prior application history
Before they know it, the deadline arrives.
And unfortunately, missing the deadline can mean disqualification.
The Best Way to Prepare
My recommendation?
Start building your background document now.
Open a Word document, Google Doc, or notebook and begin collecting your information before you ever receive the PHS.
This way, when the actual form opens, you’re simply transferring information instead of scrambling to remember everything.
Think of it like building your own “background master file.”
Information to Gather Ahead of Time
Create a document with:
Personal Information
Full legal name
Date of birth
Driver’s license information
Social Security number (keep secure)
Address History
List every place you’ve lived:
Full address
Approximate dates you lived there
Roommates (if applicable)
Employment History
For every employer:
Company name
Supervisor name
Contact number
Job title
Employment dates
Reason for leaving
Education History
High school
College/trade schools
Graduation dates
Degrees/certifications
Military History
If applicable:
Branch
Duty stations
Dates of service
Rank
Supervisor/contact information
References
Prepare:
Friends
Coworkers
Supervisors
Mentors
Make sure their contact info is current.
Driving Record
Track:
Traffic tickets
Accidents
Suspensions
License history
Legal History
Be honest and document:
Arrests
Citations
Court cases
Police contact
Financial History
Be ready to explain:
Collections
Bankruptcies
Major debts
Delinquencies
Accuracy Is Better Than Speed
Trying to guess dates or leave out details creates bigger problems later.
Take the time to be organized and truthful.
Background investigators will review your information carefully.
Being honest about mistakes is always better than appearing dishonest.
Final Advice
The Personal History Statement is not the step you want to underestimate.
Applicants who prepare ahead of time reduce stress, avoid missed deadlines, and give themselves a much smoother hiring experience.
Don’t wait until the clock starts ticking. Build your background document now so you’re ready when the time comes.
