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Careers: Police/son's interest in law enforcement career

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Expert: - 7/8/2008


Question
My son is enrolling in the pre-law enforcement training program at a regional Job Corp center. He thinks he would like to progress into an eventual career in law enforcement. Here's the rub-- He has 3 misdemeanor possession of marijuana arrests (all legal responsibilities re: to the charges have been met).Is there any chance he could be accepted into a police academy? secure a job? We live in Florida if that makes any difference. Thanks for any help you could provide--He's trying to turn his life around and has always been fascinated with the law

Answer
David,

  I know nothing about Florida law enforcement or the hiring standards of that state.  However if your son was applying for MY department he wouldn't make it past the application stage.  Now this does not necesarrily mean that he has no chance at all to ever become a police officer since every police department has its own hiring standards.  I can easily but it this way.....his prior arrests certainly won't help him but they MIGHT not hurt him.

   You also asked about "a job".  I don't know if you are asking about a job in law enforcement or a job in the private sector.  I really can't help you on that one if you mean a "a job" as in a run-of-the-mill job but I can tell you that more and more companies are doing thorough background checks and requiring drug tests as a requirement for employment.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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