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Careers: Police/Police officer qualifications

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Expert: - 3/4/2009


Question
I live in the state of Florida and I am now 20 years old. When I was 16 I got
arrested for burglary and grand theft. I pleaded no contest and was put on
probation for a year and have been in no trouble since.  Does this unqualify
me from potentially being able to join the force?

Answer
Brad,

You said "the force".  What force?  You have to understand that there are thousands of "forces" in this country from the largest with 20,000 officers to the smallest three man departments.  Every single one has its own hiring standards.  Every single one.  With your record some department might take a chance on you but don't ask me which one because I can't possibly know the hiring qualifications for every department in the nation.

If you were applying for MY department your juvenile arrest would surely not help you but there is a chance that it might not hurt you.

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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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