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Expert: - 7/3/2007


Question
I had a DUI 2 years ago, and I was in the middle of signing up for the Navy. They tld me I had to wait until I was off probation and everything. Now I have a family and can't really join the military, so I was wondering if I could become a police officer after two years of a DUI? I was going to be a Master of Arms in the Navy, I scored a 77 on the ASVAB and I have been in college now for the past year and half.

Answer
Sean,

Thanks for the question.

You will find that most states have a time limit in place for applicants that have prior convictions of DUI. Where I live in South Carolina the state has a minimum of 10 years. Some departments have a zero tolerance no matter how many years have lapsed.

So, I would say it really depends on what state you live and what department you are interested in working.

Hope this helps you out.

Good luck and best wishes!

Careers: Police

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William Payne

Expertise

South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.

Experience

Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.

Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.

Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.


Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.

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