Expert: Jason Grabill - 9/13/2009

Question
I am 31 years old and am looking to change careers into law enforcement. I've tested with a few agencies and scored really well (in the 90's %). But there's a problem. When I was 18 I got in trouble with the law. In 1997 I was arrested for 2 counts of theft felony/dealing in stolen property. I didn't personally do the crimes, I was just with the parties who were doing the crimes.

I take full responsibility for my poor decision-making and immaturity, as well as my lack of foresight and judgment. I am ashamed, remorseful, embarrassed and regretful of my conduct during my youth in high school. I was never convicted nor spent any time in jail. My punishment was 12 months probation. (only because I told the police about prior crimes that the party was involved in) Since then I have had my record expunged. I have went to school for criminal justice as well as stayed out of trouble since my one and only brush with the law. Also I have gotten my permit to carry a conceal weapon in FL. I have never lost my civil rights such as voting or gun ownership.

I have overcome my discipline problems, my immaturity and my lack of good judgment. I have reformed my behavior and matured greatly since the time of these infractions. I have become a responsible and productive individual, in both my professional and personal life. I have the highest devotion and desire to serve my state as a law enforcement officer. I have exerted a great deal of effort in order to correct my mistakes and have been continuously improving myself.

I wanted to know if I should continue to go forth with my efforts to become a LEO or am I just going to run into a dead end. Also if anyone has any ideas or guidance to helping me with my questions. Also I wanted to add that my driving record is perfect as well as my credit. I also have my certification in cpr and first aid.

Another question I thought of. Wouldn't a polygraph give insight on my past to show that I really didn't have any involvement regarding my past and to show that I am not the bad person that my past makes me out to be.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your answer and thoughts.  

Answer
John:

 You run into the same problem many folks who are slightly older have, you have a minor 'past run in' with the law, and law enforcement agencies nowadays have a 'zero defects' mentality.  They don't care what you have done in the last 10 years, only that you did something minorly stupid back ages ago that has no bearing on who you are now.  We can thank many reasons for this, among them lawsuits which charge 'negligent hiring'.  

 A polygraph may or may not 'clear' you.  I'm no fan of them myself, and if your state doesn't require them, then taking one and failing it will do nothing for your overall chances.  

 I'd keep attempting to get hired, you might try the smaller agencies around you instead of larger ones.  They tend to be more lenient when it comes to things like this.  

Jason