Expert: Jim Pastore - 3/11/2008

Question
I am interested in applying for a position on my local county sheriff's department. Please allow mw to give you a little history on my situation. I am 30 years old. I will be 31 this month. I do not have any college education. I do have a GED. I work full time as a repossessor and I am looking to do bigger and better things in my life. I have acquired several police officer friends in my line of work. to make a long story short, I am was wondering if I could get hired on in a Indiana department without college. I also would like to know if a bad driving record (IN THE PAST) would cause my application to be denied. I got caught driving on a suspended DL a few times when I was younger. This happened in my early to mid 20's. I am not a drug user or alcoholic. I do not have any felonies. I only have misdemeanor traffic from when I was younger. My goal is to get hired and work while I continue on with college. Does this seem possible?? Thanks for your time.

Answer
Shawn,

   I'm not sure what requirements Police Departments in Indiana have as far as College goes. I know in Ohio and Florida some do require a degree but most do not. in civil service Departments in Ohio you do get extra credit on the entrance exam if you have college or are an Veteran with a honorable discharge. As for the driving record. They realize that everyone make mistakes and what you told me is hardly a reason to be denied employment. The main thing to remember is to be totally honest in all your answers to their questions. Hop this helped.

Jim