You are here:

Careers: Police/being a police officer

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/4/2008


Question
hi mr. toomey, my question is about being a police officer with tattoo's. what are the regulations with tattoo's? none of them are gang related but when i am wearing a short sleeve shirt, they do show.


my second question is about my prior military backround. i am currently serving in the u.s. armed forces. i am a private first class combat engineer and a paratrooper, part of the 82nd airborne division. i have fifteen jumps under my belt, 1 tour to iraq, i will be about 21 years old when i get out and hopefully i will be an nco. will this sort of backround help me get start a career as a police officer when i get out?

Answer
Eric,

  I think that I am going to have to put something on my profile about this.  What I mean is that there are thousands of police departments in the United States and every single one has its own hiring standards and no two are the same.  So in one city visible tatoos might be an automatic disqualifier while next door it might not matter.  But I will say this.  Having a visible tatto might not hurt you but it is not going to help you.

  Your military background is certainly going to be a plus.  But of course there is going to be an extensive background check and most of the top flight departments will send background investigators to talk to many of your friends, superiors, and/or teachers in high school because your high school career is a good predictor of your aptitude for police work.  So yes, your military career will be a plus and help you but make sure that your traffic and criminal record is spotless.

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.