Careers: Police/Police career

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/1/2008


Question
Hello,
My name is Joe Calderon and I am actively seeking a career in Law Enforcement.  However, I know I have a few items in my history that I am deeply concerned about.  Although I know you can not give me specific answers unless the are in regard to your department, I am interested in your opinion.  I have had three major issues in my opinion that could hinder me from starting a career in Law Enforcement.
First I used illegal drugs about 5 times until 2002. Second, I had a suspended license for about a month due to a lack of insurance.  And third, because I was so irresponsible as a teen, I recently filed for and discharged a bankruptcy.
Are my dreams of becoming a police officer pretty much non existent because of my past?

Answer
Joe,

  As you correctly noted any answer that I give in this category might not apply to every police department in the nation since every department has its own hiring standards.  

  The drug usage might not be a problem as long as the drugs were not "heavy drugs" as in more than marijuana.  My department called it "recreational use" and as long as the applicant was truthful and the usage was not a lot it normally did not hurt his chances.  The suspended license won't work in your favor and I would assume that you were knowingly driving while suspended so that is not a good message to a propective employer.  Then bankruptcy would probably be an automatic disqualifier because it is a pretty good predictor of future behavior.

   So let me say this again.....none of these things should disuade you from applying to whatever department that you are looking at.  The bigger and more prestigous the department the lesser chance you will have.  The smaller and more rural the better the chance.  None of these things will help you but then they might not hurt you.

   Good luck!

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.