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Careers: Police/Your opinion on my chances
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Question
I wanted to ask your opinion on my chances of getting into the police department. I have not graduated college, and due to some more pressing family issues I have to at least for a while put school on the back burner. I do have 4 years college experience,at first I was majoring in Information Systems, then I switched majors to Crimianl Justice. I have a perfect driving and criminal record. I currently work as undercover loss prevention. One blemish I have is that I once got fired from a job for what they said was attempted theft. A friend of mine wanted a product, and I allowed him to hide it under my jacket in the back receiving area of the store. They found it under my jacket, so I got fired for it. There were no charges or police involvement. Do you think that will kill my chances of getting into the police, along with not yet having a degree? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Andre,
I am sure that you are aware that there over a thousand police departments in this county and all of they have different hiring standards.
Not having a degree most likely will not be a problem. However the attempted theft incident will most likely be a stumbling block. I know that it would probably be a disqualifer on MY department. The reason is that if the department had a thousand people in the hiring pool and they intended to hire fifty why would they waste their time on a person who was fired for something like that? Now please don't take that personally but that would be the reason. In NO WAY does that apply to any other department.
So basically you will probably be asked if you have ever been fired from a job and why and you will have to answer truthfully. Either that or it will come up during your background.
But you will not know for sure until you try so don't let that incident discourage you from trying.
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Answers by Expert:
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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