Expert: Jack Toomey - 7/26/2011

Question
In June of 2010 (just over a year ago) when I was 22 years old I came home from a semester abroad in England and decided to go to a friend's BBQ. I had a few too many drinks and my night ended with a DUI citation. I went to court and plead guilty, I am in the middle of a 3 year probational sentence (non monitored, just with driving restrictions).

Getting the DUI was the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me and was the cause of a lot of maturing and changing in my lifestyle and my attitude. For most of my life I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career but in the recent year it has become more and more obvious to me that my calling is to become a law enforcement officer and I will do whatever it takes to obtain that career. I'm a very self motivated person when it comes to setting my mind on something and getting it done.

I know that entrance into police academies are very competitive and I would like a realistic view on how much having the DUI on my record will hold me back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.

Answer
Kelsie,

I suspect that in your area that there are private police academies where prospective officers pay their own tuition and then after graduation its up to you to find employment.  Am I right?

I had never heard of this kind of setup until a few years ago.  In my area of the country you are hired by a police department first and then you enter the academy that is owned and operated by that department.

In today's world there are thousands and thousands of applicants to police departments.  They can afford to hire only the best of the best since budgets have been cut, hiring is way down (my county had only one class last year), and they can afford to be very picky.


Having said all that I can tell you this.  If you applied for MY department you would be disqualified immediately due to your DUI arrest.  That does not mean its the case all over the country since every department has its own hiring practices.

The best that I can do for you is to tell you that your arrest certainly will not help you.