Expert: Jack Toomey - 2/19/2009

Question
I'm hoping to begin a career in law enforcement.
I have a clean driving record, excellent credit, a college degree, received a good score on the CJBAT(90%),I am bilingual, and I meet all the requirements for the department I'm applying for in Florida.
My concern is that five years ago, I was questioned by college campus police at the institution where I worked because someone accused me of stealing their bicycle (which I did not). Nevertheless, when I came to meet with campus police, they read my Miranda rights. I didn't realize until today that that actually means I was "detained" (although I voluntarily came to answer the campus police officer's questions, and then left --there was no evidence that I'd had anything to do with the theft)
Also, just over four years ago, my wife and I had an altercation with a mutual friend (a student at that time at the institution were I used to work) -- to make a long story short, we were picking her up to take her to brunch, she was stressed from finals, got feisty, words were exchanged, and we immediately decided to leave. The situation did not escalate above a simple verbal argument (i.e. nothing physical, no threats, etc.) Later that day, we received a call from campus police saying that a no-trespass was being issued against us & we were no longer permitted on campus. In the last 4 years, I've tried to have the no-trespass lifted, and have had no success. in 2006 I met with the new Deputy Chief om campus who, after talking with me and reviewing the file, said that he didn't see any just cause for the trespass. He pointed out that the report was one sided, since they had never questioned me to hear my side. He told me he was lifting the no-trespass. However, he called me the next day to advise me that it was a political issue, and it would be put back into effect indefinitely. I've had no interaction with the former friend, who left the school in March 2006 or anyone I worked with there. In both instances I did nothing unlawful in any way.
Will these two issues "brand" me and keep me from pursuing a career in law enforcement? Will it cause me to be DQd? I have an Oral Board Exam in one month. Do you have any suggestions for how to handle questions concerning these two instances? I would really appreciate your advice and input.

Answer
Carlos,

Let me tell you something.  Yours is the third question today dealing with "CJBAT" and private police academies.  In MY state there is no "CJBAT" and there are no private police academies.  All police academies are run by the individual police agency and they do the hiring before anyone is sent to the academy.

I also need to tell you that there are probably over a hundred police departments in Florida (where I assume you are since the CJBAT people have brought it up) and each one has its own hiring standards.  So there is no "yes" or "no" answers to your questions.  All I can advise you to do is to tell the truth and be up front on all issues.
Your prior incidents surely will not help you but then again they might not hurt you.

I'm sorry that I can't be more specific but I am not the investigator, on the oral board, or privy to the hiring standards of the department that you are interested in.
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