Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Good Evening Everyone,

Just wondering what are my odds of becoming a police officer. Here are the facts:

Im 32 years old
Honorabaly Discharged in the Marines
2 Associates Degree One in Law Enforcement
Successfully Completed Basic EMT Course

Received Minor in Possession of Alcohol when I was 17. Successfully completed probation. Dismissed.

Received Holmes Youthful Trainee Act when i was 18 for Embazzlement by Agent over $100. My friend (defendant 1) picked me up from work to go shopping with him at a clothing store where our other friend (defendant 2) was working as a cashier. Defendant 1 picked out a few items and proceeded to the defendant 2 the cashier to pay for the items. (i did NOT pick out any clothes for me) defendant 1 used his own credit card to purchase the items. Defendant 2 only charged him for a couple of items. It was stupid of me, I knew it was going to happen and didnt do anything. I pleaded to holmes youtful trainee act. Successfully completed it.

In 2005 while on vacation with friends in Florida, I was charged with Tresspass on Property After Warning. It was at a bar we were told to leave but didnt due to stupidity obviously. My friend was charged Battery on Law Enforcement because he tried to stop the police officer from putting the cuffs on me. I was released the following day. I received a letter from court a month later stating:
FROM THE INVESTIGATION WHICH HAS BEEN MADE, IT IS THE OPINION OF THE WRITER THAT THIS CASE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PROSECUTION. THE CASE WAS DISMISSED.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your service!

I honestly don't know. It's not great and the competition is tough. The MIP isn't huge, I had one of those at that age and they didn't blink, but that was all I had. The arrest in the bar will show up even if it was dismissed and that's shows pretty poor judgement.

Good luck, all I can say is apply and see what they tell you.

Thank you retdetsgt for the reply. Only one way to find out is apply and disclose all of it.

Good Evening Everyone,

Just wondering what are my odds of becoming a police officer. Here are the facts:

Im 32 years old not a problem
Honorabaly Discharged in the Marinesgreat
2 Associates Degree One in Law Enforcement great
Successfully Completed Basic EMT Coursegood

Received Minor in Possession of Alcohol when I was 17. Successfully completed probation. Dismissed. small road bump

Received Holmes Youthful Trainee Act when i was 18 for Embazzlement by Agent over $100. My friend (defendant 1) picked me up from work to go shopping with him at a clothing store where our other friend (defendant 2) was working as a cashier. Defendant 1 picked out a few items and proceeded to the defendant 2 the cashier to pay for the items. (i did NOT pick out any clothes for me) defendant 1 used his own credit card to purchase the items. Defendant 2 only charged him for a couple of items. It was stupid of me, I knew it was going to happen and didnt do anything. I pleaded to holmes youtful trainee act. Successfully completed it.little more serious bump BUT it was 14 years ago and you have done a lot since then)

In 2005 while on vacation with friends in Florida, I was charged with Tresspass on Property After Warning. It was at a bar we were told to leave but didnt due to stupidity obviously. My friend was charged Battery on Law Enforcement because he tried to stop the police officer from putting the cuffs on me. I was released the following day. I received a letter from court a month later stating:
FROM THE INVESTIGATION WHICH HAS BEEN MADE, IT IS THE OPINION OF THE WRITER THAT THIS CASE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PROSECUTION. THE CASE WAS DISMISSED.

So it ended up that you weren't charged at all or that the charges were dropped ? Eiither way , not a huge deal but hopefully that is the end of your escapades

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your service!

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Thank you Mr. Creeper Cop. I was wondering if I should hire a lawyer and maybe get the "small bumps" expunged? Or would that not matter at all?
And as far as the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, I have been told I can honestly say "No" to an application (does that only apply for i.e., dead end jobs and not for Law enforcement or state license?) since it is not a conviction. I am confuse because I have also heard that it is a deferred conviction so nonetheless, I must disclose it?

Many background applications will asked if you were ever arrested, not just convicted. In fact, the one I filled out asked for pretty much any contact with police. I have a feeling you would end up disclosing all relevant info anyway.

If you want to have them expunged you should try just making a few calls before paying a lawyer... the process may not be as difficult as you think.

And expunging means different things in different states. In Oregon, it's gone, all records are destroyed and no longer exist. If anyone or any agency hangs on to any part of it, they're in violation of the court order. But from what I've learned from my colleagues on this board, the record is still available to some people in some states. Each seems to have their own definition of expunged. A few just seal the record.

I'd second the idea of seeing a lawyer and making sure you're okay. As I said, in Oregon, you can legally say that you've never been arrested and if anyone uses that against you, (even a hiring LE agency) they are in violation of the court. That's the whole idea behind expunging IMO, to get you a fresh start.

That being said, only a conviction can be expunged, not just an arrest. The arrest in Florida may still haunt you. I'd disclose it because if you don't and they learn about, your app will got in the trash.

I wouldn't worry about the MIP. That was a juvy offense.

The other two you should find out from a lawyer if there is anything you can do.

Thank you Mr. mcsap, retdetsgt, and ET109.

So in conclusion, my chances are not the greatest but dont give up? And disclose of everything even if it was under Holmes Youtful Trainee Act (the embezzlement charge), the MIP, and the Tresspassing after Warning... Thank you all. This is really greatly appreciated...

My agency would not hire you due to the amount of arrests and charges, one of which was in the past 10 years. Others might, ours just wont.