Careers: Police/certification

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Expert: - 3/16/2009


Question
i've recently enrolled in the Augusta technical college course called "basic law enforcement" inwhich sends me to the academy plus a few college credits, but i was arrested in 2002 for obstruction, i heard obstruction will hinder my certification, is this true?

Answer
Bill,

I some areas of the country there are private police academies where the student pays and then upon graduation takes their chances with employment.

In other parts of the country an applicant to a police department is hired first and then is sent to the academy that is run by the particular police department and thus is guaranteed a job with that department upon graduation.

Apparently you live in an area where the first category applies.  I live in the area of the country where the second applies.  

I really don't understand how your state can allow this kind of situation where people pour money down a hole and then are denied employment.

I know that this does not answer your question but I am trying to explain why I cannot tell you one way or another.  If you lived in MY state and were applying for MY police department your 2002 arrest/conviction would be an automatic disqualifier.  This does NOT mean that you are never going to be a police officer in YOUR state.

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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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