Careers: Police/felony

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Expert: - 5/12/2009


Question
Hi Jack,
Thank you for your time and considering my question.
To give you a little background about myself, I am a 27yr old women that came from a broken family. I've struggled severely and made some bad choices in my life that has caused me my future. I've always had interest in some day joining the police force or just being someone in life. I have a passion to be successful and never give up. I've always had a dream of becoming a correctional officer but because of my low self esteem and lack of motivation, I saw those dreams unreachable. In 2006 I picked up a case for being at the wrong place, at the wrong time and the ending result is that I have a felony on my record now. I know it doesn't look good for me but I am willing to climb the highest mountain to achive my success. Are my options completely eliminated because of this felony or is there something that I can do? Thank you for your time. Its grately appreciated.

Answer
Sarah,

 I can't possibly speak for the thousand of police departments in this country.  Each has its own hiring standards.  

 You speak of "picking up a case".  Don't you mean that you committed a felony and probably were convicted of a felony?  It tells me that you have not yet accepted responsiblity for committing that crime.  Police departments can and should be selective in their hiring.  They want only the best.  The problem with having a felon on the police department is that everytime that the officer testified in court the defense attorney would immediately bring up the officer's past and his/her testimony would not be believed.  Frankly I have never heard of a police officer who had previously been charged/convicted of a felony.

  My suggestion would be to get your degree and to go into social work.  There you can help people like yourself who have gotten into trouble.

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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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