Careers: Police/background info

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/28/2007


Question
I'm a senior in high school and hope to (after college)become a police officer and hopefully SWAT later on.  I heard that the poligraph asks about undetected crimes.  What is the policy on underage drinking?  

Answer
Kyle,

Thanks for the question.

If you take the polygraph, don't lie is the first rule. Prior to taking the polygraph, the examiner will go over the questions with you and you can clarify any unresolved issues or items that may need an explanation.

Underage drinking is a crime, so please stop. You have the rest of your life to partake of that type of stuff. A lot of police officers have drank alcoholic beverages as teenagers and they have turned out to be excellent police officers, so I would probably not worry about it too much.

Now is the time to start trying to be a role model and productive citizen. Character and ethics are important traits in law enforcement.

Best wishes!

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.