Expert: Dick Rogers - 2/14/2008

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 so they tried me as an adult. 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 governor 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 Governor 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. In closing I do not have a conviction on my record and I was just a stupid kid. Surely I hope I don't have to pay for this the rest of my life. thanks : jeremy boldwyn

Answer
Jeremy, I am astonished that the police officers you know haven't gone to bat for you.  If what you stated in your inquiry is true, I can't imagine a department not wanting you to become one of their officers.  First, the incident happened many years ago and it is easily explained...by this I mean, when you go to the oral board exam, even though the incident is not on your record, you can explain that you were involved in a situation regarding your older brother, etc. etc. I have sat on oral boards and if you explained the situation as you have above, I would be very positive in your regard.  I mentioned the oral board and this is the time for you to let the info about the car radio out but also to  let them know that you have had numerous ride-alongs, that you were involved in assisting an officer in trouble and that you have not had a blemish on your record for many years.  I think you should focus on the positive and get to applying to a number of agencies before your age is a factor...some departments don't favor applicants above the age of 35.  Hope this works for you.