Careers: Police/Expunged Record

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Expert: - 5/19/2010


Question
QUESTION: I want to be a police officer. When they ask if I had any expungements(which I did) should I put it down anyway. Expungements mean that they are wiped clean off your criminal record, right? Over 12 years ago, I had bounced a check and I had to go to court for it. I had to take a mug shot of myself and fingerprints. No arrests! Could the police departments still look it up? How can I find out if it is gone?

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

If they ask you about expunged records they mean just that. Yes they want to know if you have had any expunged. Its not anything to worry to much about, they just want to see how honest you will be and yes they can still find the orginal reports at the department level, if not the court.

Read this: http://dept.sfcollege.edu/IPS/CEW/So%20you%20Want%20to%20be%20a%20cop.pdf

It will help

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What about credit checks? Today's economy is bad...I am thinking about filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy. I have no choice. There are things that I want to do in life and I wouldn't like the filing to be a problem. I want to take care of my debt problem and I hope that they would understand. what is your opinion on this? Would you hire anyone who have filed for debt relief such as myself? It is not that I don't care and want an easy way out of debt. I just can't pay all of my obligations.

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

It will not help. There are agencies that will DQ you because of the filing for Bankruptcy. In law enforcement we deal in large sums of money at times, we also are offered at times bribes and things, you would be considered a risk. Think about how they are going to look at this, even though the bounced check was 12 years ago and now your filing for bankruptcy, it makes it appear (not saying you haven't) as if you have not learned your lesson about financial responsibility. Did you read my guide on this subject? It will explain it a little more.

Good luck..

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: A risk? I feel that filing is the right thing to do. Rather doing nothing  at all to fix the problem. Sure some people could go out there, out of desperation, selling drugs to take of their financial problems. I wouldn't do that... I would rather handle it legally. I lost my job and everything came tumbling down. I would be a risk if I became an officer and have all these obligations behind me. Like I said before, I do want to take of my bills. I have a conscience. Not to sound if I am offended, but are some PD's that anal?

Answer
Hi again Mark,

Yes they are, because if you think of it, it only takes one person who does something wrong to ruin years worth of reputation building for an agency. Plus they get hundreds of applicants, and they get to choose who is best suited to them. Sorry if you got offended, but you did ask for an honest opinion.

Hope it all works out for the best for you in the end.

Be safe.

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Chris Wagoner

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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