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Careers: Police/career in law enforcement-post felony conviction

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Expert: - 5/5/2009


Question
I have a criminal record from approximately 20 plus years ago. I have spent the last three years trying to get a consistent answer about eligibility for myself in law enforcement. I get a different answer (oppinion) from everyone i speak to. Who can help me with this? I wanted to be in this field of work when i was young, unfortunately, the conviction came just after high school which deterred me from ever persuing my dream. I have paid my debt to society and did 6 months in a county jail. I am running into walls everywhere i go, trying to get in the field of law enforcement. I'm a great example to use for young people with similar problems. I want nothing more than this. Is there any advise you may be able to give me in regards to being a possible candidate for a job (of any type) in law enforcement? THANKS

Answer
Gerald,

Who are you asking about this where you are getting conflicting answers?  Certainly not the recruiting officers for various police departments.

The first thing that you need to know is that every police department in the nation operates independently of each other.  Each department has its own hiring standards.  What might be true with department #A might not be true with department #B.  There are NO national hiring standards.  

The only way that you are going to get a definitive answer is to start applying to various police departments.  You have wasted three years now and you are not getting any younger.  I'd estimate that you are now at least 38 or older and by chance you do get hired you are going to be competing with kids in their early 20's.  When you apply for a police department you are going to be asked if you have every been convicted of a crime.  You will get your answer when you reply to that question.

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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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