Expert: Jason Grabill - 12/19/2007

Question
Hi, my name is Chris and I’ve wanted to be a police officer my whole life; however when I was a teen I made some childish mistakes. I was arrested for criminal property damage two times and mob action once. All three charges were dropped in court. I also acquired many traffic tickets and was convicted on driving on a revoked license two times. I also have had some city citations for underage drinking and other minor offenses. There are many police reports on my record as well. All these offenses happened when I was the age of 18 or younger (with the exception of mob action when I was 19, a few traffic tickets when I was 20 and 21, and a drinking ticket). They were all childish acts and I have since matured and learned from my mistakes.

I am now 22 years old and have had no trouble with the law since. I am in the Air Force and will be getting out when I'm 24. I also am going to school and will have my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice before I separate from the military. I also do community service work and a portion of all my paychecks go to charities to aid children in need. When I move to California for the Air Force I plan on volunteering with a police dept. and working every weekend if possible.

All my actions in the past were all due to immaturity and influence. I never intended to harm anyone ever and have no criminal convictions. I plan on getting the criminal damages and mob action expunged. Is there anything else that I could do that would help? Will I still have a chance in a police career or do you think I should look into something else? Thanks for your time I appreciate it.


Answer
Chris:

  I won't lie, you are going to have a VERY difficult time, at this point, getting hired as a police officer.  I think you are on the right path, though, with the military, getting a degree, and things like that.  That works in your favor for sure, and will provide a counterbalance to the issues you had as a juvenile.  

 I think you are going to have a rough, but NOT an insurmountable, road here.  Keep trying and keep plugging away at it.  Don't get discouraged, your military career will help you, as well as the degree.  I think it's certainly worth trying.

Jason