Expert: Jack Toomey - 9/20/2006

Question
Thank you very much Sir, I'm just glad that I found a website that would be able to help me along in the process. Also I wanted to ask about all these "help books" that I see online form EX-police officers. Are they really worth buying?
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Followup To

Question -
Hello Mr. Toomey, your services to the public make me proud to be an aspiring police officer. I have a problem, a little under two years ago I was ticketed with a criminal drag racing charge. I was young and stupid, and after i took care of that issue ( I plead nolo-contesto, and ajudication was withheld), I straighted up and everything was going fine. I am about to receive my A.S. in criminal justice administration but I just recieved another ticket in Seminole county FL. (speeding not racing)I live in Miami and was wonder what this is going to look like when i go to apply to the police force. I was not a minor in either happening and I am concerned that the police forces in Miami, or any other area will reject me... Your advice is highly valued in advance.
thank you
jonathan m.

Answer -
Jonathan,

    I would bet that I have received at least fifty similar questions where people wonder whether a traffic record or minor criminal record is going to be an automatic disqualifier for the position of police officer.

   There is really no way to know this because there are literally thousands of police departments in the country, some with two officers, some with thousands, and all have their own standards for hiring.  So with department #A that can afford to be very selective due to a large number of highly qualified applicants your situation could be a disqualifier.  But with department #B that does not have a large number of highly qualified applicants your record might not matter.  So it all depends on who or what department that you are hoping to be hired by.

Answer
   I wouldn't buy one.  Ask yourself this question.  Why would an "ex" police officer be writing a book about this subject?  Its probably because he was a failure in what he did in life and now has to write books.  Similar to a book about what stocks to pick.  Why would that person share his secret and not just buy up all of the stock?  Thats just my personal opinion.  If you have any friends on the department that you are applying for it might not be a bad idea to ask them what the interview process is like.  In other words what kind of questions would you expect at the time of the oral interview. Good luck in your goal to become a police officer.  Don't forget the rating section.