Expert: Jason Grabill - 11/9/2011

Question
Good Morning Sir,

I looked for this question on the board, and couldn't find any similar. I've just finished serving my country honorably in the US Coast Guard for five years. I've gotten out to pursue my degree in criminal justice, and will have my associates shortly. I would like to enroll in the police academy, but The one I applied to has a strict, "No more than five moving violations in a lifetime" rule. They said they enforce this not because they care, but because that is what "most" departments would also require. My question is this; with 6-7 moving violations should I call it quits? Does my service to this country or even my degree make up for the moving violations? I have never done drugs, and none of the moving violations are for more than 10-15 miles over the speed limit, and take place over the last eight years. Is there anything I can say to this academy to make them more likely to consider allowing me to join before I pay the $400 worth of fees it takes simply to apply? If not, and you would say I should reconsider being a cop, what are some other jobs inside a police department I could obtain with my criminal justice degree? Thank you, and have a good day.

Answer
Drain:

  First, thanks for doing what you did!  Well, let me say this about that...to me, (and most departments) it's going to depend on the type, and frequency, of the violations.  5 DWI's are going to be career killers.   5 total tickets over an 8 year period, all minor BS stuff, most departments aren't going to get too stressed over, esp with your record.   Personally, I think that academy is nuts, and I'd talk to another agency or another academy.   

 While this may be sort of a pain, I think this academy probably isn't worth your money anyway, and you should look for another.   Your record isn't the issue here.

Jason