Careers: Police/job

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Expert: - 12/25/2008


Question
Hi my name is Scott, I live in St. Augustine FL, I am going to school to get my
blachelor's in criminal justice. My question is at the age of 16 i was caught with
possession of drug parphnailla. I had to go to court, and was placed on
diversion for 6 months. Since then i have been clean. Since I had a drug history
will this disqualify me, as a police officer

Answer
Scott,

Thanks for the question.

Drug paraphernalia could potentially cause you some problems in a background investigation. However, if you were considered a juvenile at the time, and are now an adult, your records should be sealed. You may also try and get your records expunged from the juvenile system.

Some paraphernalia is not considered a big deal, but what you were using it for or if there was drugs associated with it could be an issue.

I know numerous police officers that had drug use in their juvenile years, but have become stellar police officers as adults.

Some departments may never consider you, but I would imagine if you stick with your education and clean (no trouble) living, you should not have a problem qualifying as a police officer.

Good luck and best wishes!

Careers: Police

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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