Expert: William Payne - 7/2/2010

Question
My friend and I went on vacation to Ocean City Maryland and were walking on the boardwalk with containers filled with juice and some alcoholic beverage.  We got pulled aside and were asked a series of questions by some police officers.  This resulted in both of us getting drinking citations.  The officers told us that this would not be on our personal records.  I later called the number that was on our citations and was informed that this would be on our records because we are from Connecticut and are opting to do community service in our state instead of driving all the way back to Maryland to appear in court.

My question is is this going to affect me in becoming a police officer myself?  I have no previous offenses and I'm worried that this is going to interfere with my job opportunities.

Answer
Katie,


Thanks for the question.

First things first. If you want to become a police officer, you need to start thinking about responsibilities and what ifs when you engage in certain activities, and drinking in public is one of them. That being said:

Sounds to me like you might have at least a local record, whether or not it gets sent into the FBI as an arrest, I don't know the particulars of arrest reporting in Maryland.

After the completion of the community service, it may get wiped clean from the local police agency. Call that agency and inquire about it.

Also, check with another expert: Jason Grabill. He is a police officer in Maryland, and he may have more certain answers than I can give you for the state.


Good luck and best wishes!