Expert: Loren Stevens - 1/2/2008

Question
When I was 15, a friend and I were arrested for credit card fraud for buying 2 $50 master card gift cards and a movie. 6 months later i found out my girlfriend was pregnant. I'm now 17 and have done nothing wrong since then. I am a manager at a grocery store. And in August I will be joining the marines for 6 years. I live in Texas and there is a law that is called Automatic restriction of access to records. And that law states that nobody can see your record including federal agency's, government, or anyone for hiring purposes. The only time it is accessible to anyones eyes is if you are being investigated for a crime. But the HPD hiring people said they have access to it for hiring. they also said they have access to sealed records. My records are sealed and when i turn 21 I automatically receive the Restriction to access of files. When i get back from the marines ill be 24. I dream of being a police officer and would do anything to be one. Do i have any chance in becoming one. Is there anything i can do to increase my chances.

Answer
Hello Matt,
I understand the laws and practices you describe, as they pertain to juvenile records. What they have in your jurisdiction is not unusual.
However, I would caution you on how you treat these matters in the oral interview aspects of an application.
The two paramount attributes agencies are looking for, are: HONESTY, and CHARACTER. If it were me, I'd answer any question posed to me honestly, and let the chips fall where they may. Many agencies now factor in a polygraph into their hiring process. I can tell you with a measure of certainty, that questions on this type examination, will address areas of honesty/character.
Keep in mind, that polygraph tests are "YES/NO" oriented.
'Tewer me, I would rather address these matters in the conversational arena of the oral interview, where I could express myself with more commentary.
And, I would be up front about some choices, decisions, and challenges I experienced, during the formative years, coupled with youthful exuberance etc. Being able to craft an answer favors your position in the long run.
The variables of an oral interview are such, that they are inherently designed to be flexible in their scope....to a point.
There are no guarantees about becoming a police officer. Understand, that slightly less than 10% of applicants in law enforcement get hired, and more of them wash out during training and probationary periods.
In my humble opinion, if I was the recruiter, I would be more interested in what your choices/decisions, and behavior was in contemporary times, than in youthful developmental periods.
It would behoove you to distinguish yourself while in the service. Try for written commendations, excel in the extraordinary. Get as much training as you can, in a variety of areas. You can never get too much first aid training. Learning as much written and oral communication skills will benefit you on many levels.
Staying fit is essential.
Learning a foreign language etc. My point, is the more favorable "stuff" you can pony-up to a recruiter, the better your chances, and the more attractive candidate you make.
Also, consider doing some volunteer work in a relevant area, take positive initiatives where you can. You'd like to smother any negative things in your past, with positive things in your present.
While you are in the service, stop by a number of different police agencies' personnel bureau's and pick up their literature, and speak to various recruiters and you'll get a feel for that which matters.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Good Luck in the Marines,
Semper Fi,
loren