Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

How is everyone doing. I got a couple questions and I was hoping you could help me out. Im from Prince William County, VA 30 miles south of DC. I wanna become a police officer but I have no idea how to go about it. I been a volunteer fireman for about 10 years now and I know how all the fire department hirings go about. Another thing criminal background??? Does it need to be CLEAN! I have a couple things on my record that I did when I turned 18 like accessory to petite larceny..... And is there any way I can "pay" for this charge to go away. Also how about driving record, cause my driving record also sucks due to me being young and dumb.I watch cops all the time and I started watching that new show on A&E called Rookies and that just did it in for me. I love what you all do and im glad I got caught doing the wrong things cause it really opened my eyes for the good. I really wanna help the young adults out there who have a problem with addiction and gang involvment So please help me out guys. If anyone can help me it would be a greatly appriciated. thanks..

How is everyone doing. I got a couple questions and I was hoping you could help me out. Im from Prince William County, VA 30 miles south of DC. I wanna become a police officer but I have no idea how to go about it. I been a volunteer fireman for about 10 years now and I know how all the fire department hirings go about. Another thing criminal background??? Does it need to be CLEAN! I have a couple things on my record that I did when I turned 18 like accessory to petite larceny..... And is there any way I can "pay" for this charge to go away. Also how about driving record, cause my driving record also sucks due to me being young and dumb. If anyone can help me it would be a greatly appriciated. thanks..

Welcome to the forum.

Police hiring works just like every other hiring for any job. Get an application, fill it out, and turn it in. The process will proceed from there.

No matter what you do, the charge will show up when they do a background check on you, and you'll be required to disclose the arrest no matter what legal magic you try to pay for later. Helping people steal will not help you get hired by a police department. What other charges do you have?

In addition to criminal history, you'll probably have to disclose any crimes you weren't caught for, as well as drug use history.

You're driving record will make a difference, but time can help there. How long since your last ticket? Were they all minor moving violations, or were they DUI/Reckless driving charges?

We'll need more specifics to give you a better answer, but remember that hiring for Police Positions is competitive. This means that just meeting the requirements is not enough in many cases. You have to be the BEST out of everyone who applied to get the job.

Citicop.

Just wanted to say 'good luck'. Northern Va. is VERY COMPETITIVE...