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Careers: Police/DUI and becoming a PO
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Question
I am an army veteran who served in Iraq. I have had a wet and reckless charge when I was 18 and a D.U.I. charge on a four wheeler while I was on leave when I was 21, I am 26 now. I am now living in Texas and was wondering if I would be able to be able to become a police officer with the record that I have.
Police Departments will look very closely at someone with a prior DUI on their record and depending upon how far back it goes will pass over someone when all things are equal with another candidate, there is a chance that you may be passed over in the selection process.
With that being said, I encourage you to show any police department that may hire you that you are serious about not letting the mistake happen again and that you've learned from this transgression in judgment. Enroll in a Defensive Driving course of your own accord, and of course NEVER Drive after drinking again. I believe if you take these positive steps and demonstrate your regret you should have no problem getting hired on a Police Department in your area.
Good Luck!
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Answers by Expert:
Eric Potts
Expertise
I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.
Experience
I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.
Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School
Basic Law Enforcement Training
Arson Investigators School
DARE Officer Training
Interview and Interrogation School
Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer
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