Expert: Jack Toomey - 2/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: How you doing Mr. Toomey, thank you for your 26 years of service. Also I gather you served in the Military right? If I am correct on that, thank you  for your service to our Country . On to my questions. First off I live in Maryland and am looking to work towards a career in LE. A couple things in my history have me concerned. One is a charge of  furnishing or contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This happened when I was 21, 14 years ago. I'm not certain of the exact nature of the charge. I called the courthouse in Rockville, MD to get details and was told the charge had been expunged. The clerk said that I would have to submit a written request to obtain the details. Anyhow I realize that this won't help me, but will it DQ? (for baltimore city PD - my 1st choice). Another BG potential issue is a
$1,200 state tax lien(2007), which was payed promptly . I was out of the country when notice was sent, and a family member took care of it on my behalf. I tried marijuana  once as a teen, from everything I've read this won't be an issue, correct?

I'm 35 right now, with a few  yrs exp in private security , and have been considering enlisting. I contacted a Marine recruit and was told I am too old. I then contacted the Army National Guard , after finding out the Army's age cap is 42. Would you advise concentrating on civilian LE or going dual (if I go NG I've already pretty much decided on MP as my MOS). Thanks for your time, look forward to your reply - take care.





ANSWER: John,

  I am not familar with the hiring standards of the Baltimore PD.  I am guessing that you are aware that every department in the country has different hiring standards and I cannot possibly be familiar with all of the disqualifers for every department in the country.

  I find it strange that your charge/conviction of fourteen years ago was expunged without you causing it to happen.  Perhaps your attorney set that in motion without you knowing about it?  You have guessed right.  The charge (you didn't say if you were convicted or not) won't help you but it might not hurt you.  The tax lien will come up during your background check and I am sure that you will be asked about it when you apply.  Truthful answers are a must because the polygraph will catch you.

  As far was advise on careers I am afraid that I can't help you.  If I told you to go join the French Foreign Legion and it turned out bad you might have an action against you so I don't advise people what to do.  That's up for you to decide.

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QUESTION: LOL french foriegn legion ! That's a riot. I hear ya though.
I understand that all DQ's etc vary from PD to PD. But I figured you were a local (dug around a bit ),and therefor might have some info on MD. I never had an Attorney present during court 14 years back. The SA had me take a plea, and I did 50 hrs Community service. Fast forward 14 years, I call up the courthouse to get full details (to articulate honestly during interview/application/etc) and was told that the record was expunged. Having read this , and I realize standards vary around the globe lol. In YOUR area would this be a DQ? Any other advice ya want to throw out there feel free, don't hold back any punches ;)

ANSWER: I probably had two contacts with Baltimore during my entire career and neither involved applicants.  I will say this and by no means is this an attack on you.  Baltimore City is not considered to be on a level of the large suburban counties and their officers often don't qualify for the more elite departments.  That does sound bad but it is the truth.  Every so often you read about a Baltimore officer being arrested for a serious crime so around the state they don't have the best reputation.

I didn't know that the state or county expunged anyone's record without their making the request.  Have you looked up your own record in the Maryland Judiciary case database?

  http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquirySearch.jis

On my department your prior record would not help you but probably would not disqualify you. But if all other thing were equal the chief would choose the candidate who did not have your drawbacks.

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QUESTION: Well I'm shooting for BPD for two reasons. 1) The educational standards are not strict. I have nothing more than a HS diploma. Montgomery CO., Metro PD, and PG all require a degree or 60 credit hrs. I don't want to put all that time and money in w/out knowing for sure that I'll get the position.  2) Baltimore needs it, of course all areas do , but they are in a hole out there, and I love the city. Working in a full on environment like that I think I'd enjoy as opposed to a slower , such as my area(Rockville).

I had been to that link you provided in the past. The only case that comes up is the civil from 07. I know this means sh*t but the case was (gotta bite my tounge here haha) Essentialy I was the sole party present at amongst a crowd of HS seniors. Neighhbors called about the noise. MC PD shows up, issues citations and holds minors on under-age drinking. And they issue me a notice. The brother of the host provided the alcohol. As I said I don't even know exactly what the dang charge was. Didn't think it would be such a pain to get my own records! Are you aware if one can have ones records handed over to them by visiting the courthouse directly?


Answer
If the old charge doesn't show up in that database I would bet that it has been expunged.  But I'd like to know who expunged it since it is my understanding that the defendant has to make the effort to get the expungment.  Who knows.  But you are still going to have to answer truthfully when asked if you have been arrested or charged with a crime.

I'd call the courthouse first instead of driving all the way down to Rockville and being turned away.