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Expert: - 11/1/2011


Question
Hi Chris,

I'm looking at trying to get into LE as it's been a dream of mine since childhood. For a long time I let that dream get put on the back burner and now I feel like I want to try and pursue it.

My question has to do with the background investigation portion of the process. I have a spotless record, not even a speeding ticket. Credit isn't perfect, but no huge debt, and I'm trying to slowly pay back what I owe on an old Federal student loan. But pending a background investigation with a previous employer, it may turn up something I did about 7 years ago that I'm completely ashamed of and it was a one time incident. My daughter was just born and it was a bad time money-wise, I took $30 from my job and I paid it back when I got my check that following week. Well, my boss found out about it anyway and while he appreciated that I paid it back, he obviously said that he would have to let me go. He assured me that to any references for jobs afterward he would just say that i quit and give me a good reference as I was a good worker, I just made a very poor decision. So no charges were pressed, no mention of it was ever made again and in fact on their records it says that I quit and was not fired.

I have no plans on hiding this from a background investigator, it was a stupid one time incident in my life, never repeated, and I've felt bad about it every day since. Would this be something that would cause me to be disqualified immediately, should I even bother trying to pursue a job in law enforcement? My worry is that it may make them think that I would be more open for taking a bribe or stealing from large amounts of money I was handling, and I wouldn't. I don't want that one stupid moment to define me, even though it's not on my record.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate any reply.

Answer
Hey Josh,

First off, I am glad to hear you are looking at law enforcement as a career, good for you. Your background sounds great and I have to say your one time incident, well, ever hear the term "making a mountain out of a mole hill." :) You have nothing to worry about. What is great is that your honesty and conscience get the better of you and you are confessing to something that really is very minor in nature. it shows not only that you are honest (even though you took the money you paid it back) and you still are bothered by it today.

You will have no problems and should be fine. Be honest and answer the questions asked of you. But if they do not ask about your specific crime or incident then don't be over eager to confess. They may ask have you ever committed a crime you were not caught at and the answer would be yes of course and when asked what it was tell them just what you told me. They may laugh at you but don't take it personally. Yours is really minor compared to some that we hear.

From what you write your a good person and should have no problems. Good luck and I hope you get through and get a chance to pursue your dream. If I can ask where are you looking at being a cop?

Be well and stay safe..

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

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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