Expert: William Payne - 2/12/2008

Question
Hi, I currently live in kyle Texas. I have been wanting to be a police officer for about 10+yrs now, but when I was a kid (18 yrs ago) I am 35 now, I took the rap for my older brother when he stole a car radio in 1990 because he told me since I was a juvenile I would just get a slap on the wrist and he would go to prison. Me being young and stupid, not wanting my big brother to go to prison, I told the police that it was me that did it. I had just turned 17, 3 weeks before this happened. Well I ended up getting a Lawyer that told me if I take this thing called deffered Adjudication, that it will be as if the whole thing never happened and would be expunged, that ended up being a huge lie that has ruined my life thus far. When I started growing up, I decided I wanted to be a cop and found out the hard way that since I took Deferred Adjudication, my dreams were crushed. I have done everything I can in the state of Texas to get my record cleared (even wrote the govenor for a pardon, but his office wrote me back and said I have to call the office of pardons and parole. I did just that and they told me that since I am not a hard core criminal and didn't serve jail time or prison, then I would never get a pardon from the Govenor because of the Deferred. I have kept my nose clean for over 18 yrs and that is the only thing that I ever got in trouble for. my friends are all cops. I have gone with them when we did police officers benefitting special olympics and even go on ride alongs with my best friend, he works for APD. I even put my own life at risk to assist in the capture of a dangerous wanted suspect that had already assualted and immobilized the police officer I was on a ride along with. I always have people asking me if I am a cop and I tell them no, but I would like to be. They all tell me I have a cops demeanor and attitude. The closest I was ever able to get has been a commissioned armed security patrol supervisor, where my duties included responding to burglar alarms, patroling assigned locations and private subdivisions, as well as responding to numerous other types of calls. I got certified in all types of police techniques and tactics, as well as CPR first aid training. I did this for about five years, but had to quit doing this type of work because the money from security doesn't pay well. I have now for the last 10 yrs been working as a heavy equipment haul truck driver. I would move anywhere in the US that would ever give me the opportunity to become a police officer. I have read several states requirements and alot of them state as long as you have never been convicted of a felony, that it is still possible. I don't have a conviction on my record, just the deferred. If you can give a little help or info in any way that would be a blessing. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Answer
Jeremy,

Thanks for the question.

If you have not had any arrests or problems since then, I would get an attorney and get your record completely expunged. You have to have a court order to do so.

Get some of your police friends to write some reference letters for you and highlight your experiences (paid/volunteer) in law enforcement and or security.

A lot of your past can be cleared up and clarified in polygraph examination when and if you get in a hiring process with a police agency.

Most importantly get that record expunged and you can move forward from there.

Hope this helps out.

Good luck and best wishes!