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Careers: Police/Becoming a police officer with OTH discharge

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Expert: - 1/24/2010


Question
Jack,

 I was in the Marine Corps Reserves, missed too many drills, and was kicked out with a other than honorable discharge for unsatisfactory participation. A stupid mistake I made a few years ago.

 Over the past 6 years I have been doing Asset Protection for a large grocery chain and realized I would like to become a police officer. I don't think I would want to make a full career out of it because Asset Protection is working out good for me, I'm moving up and making more money than I would being a police officer. I really just want a part time police officer job, for now anyways.

 I have a 2 year business degree. I was considering getting the PA Act 120 certification.

 Do you think I would have a shot landing a police officer job with that OTH discharge?  

Answer
John,

I didn't want to just ignore your question so I am going to answer it this way.  

I have never heard of a "part-time police officer" and I don't work or live in Pennsylvania so I am assuming that PA Act120 applies to that state.  To get that question answered you are going to find someone in law  enforcement in Pennsylvania.  Why not just talk to the officers who do background investigations for the department in your city?

I can tell you this.  If you applied for a position on MY department (which is not in PA) your discharge would certainly not help you.  But its possible that it might not hurt you.

Careers: Police

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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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