Careers: Police/police hiring

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Expert: - 2/7/2008


Question
my name is william cheek and i live in Lexington ky. i am currently 19 years old and I want to become a police officer in my city, but i have been arrested twice. the first time i got arrested was my friends brother took a pistol in my car and i was pulled over and i consented to the search because i didnt know the gun was in the car and the officer found it and i got charged with CCDW, i am currently attempting to get out of the charge, and the second time was for driving on a suspended license, but that charge was dismissed. I was just wondering if i can  still become an officer. thankk you very much for reviewing my question and i hope you can help me out.
   thank you,
       william

Answer
William,

Thanks for the question.

If you don't get convicted of the weapons charge, you can get the arrest expunged and cleared from your history. That should help you out. If you do get convicted for the gun, you might have some problems down the road getting a police position somewhere.

The driving offense should not hamper you at all if it was cleared up and dismissed. Just watch your driving habits, this is crucial in policing to be a role model for other drivers and citizens.

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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