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Expert: - 6/9/2009


Question
I have a DUI conviction on my record at the age of 18 years old . I am currently in college finishing my AA degree and wondering how the DUI conviction will effect my status as a potential future officer in the state of Florida . I have been given all sorts of answers and have to decide which way I will go with my education .  Thank you for your help

Answer
George,

I have no way of knowing what any individual police department is going to do or what their hiring standards are.  I would be the last person to tell you not to try to get involved in law enforcement.

But here is the problem.  Any given department might have a hiring pool of a thousand applicants.  They can afford to select only the ones with perfect or near-perfect records.  Secondly what would happen if you made an arrest for DUI and you got on the witness stand and the first thing the defense attorney did was to ask you to describe your own conviction?  It would kind of screw up the case.

The best I can do for you is to say that your conviction certainly will not help 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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