Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I'm thinking most departments will want to see a few more years between my immature teenage years and employing me but I'll see what you fellas think. I'm about to turn 23 and one semester away from graduating from Penn State.
The bad: When I was 18/first year of college I smoked mj twice, drank some, got a disorderly for throwing eggs at cars and stole a bottle of booze from my buddy. Also didn't get very good grades and was along when my buddy illegally shot a deer. Also did stupid kid stuff at 16 like steal pumpkins.
The good: I held the same job for 4 years from 18-22, am currently employed as a security officer at a hospital. Made deans lists for the last 2 years. Am engaged and havent even drank at all in the last 2 years. Workout everyday and am in top shape. Just got my EMT cert. and am going to volunteer once or twice a week.

Over the next couple months I am testing at depts all over VA, MD, and WV. What do we feel? Do I need a few years or is it possible for me to get started sooner rather than later? Thanks a lot for the feedback.

It can't hurt to apply. Nothing you mentioned is really major at all. I'm in a similar situation (eerily similar actually), about to graduate, but did a little hell-raising back in '09 (you can PM me for details) when I was a freshman. I still plan to apply everywhere and honestly, I don't think departments will care too much about a disorderly from 4 years ago.

Yeah pm please man. Luckily that disorderly got expunged. Where do you go to school?

I wouldn't sweat it. I was caught hitting cars with paintballs with a slingshot as a minor and charged with "launching deadly missiles", a felony. The charges were later dropped, but long story short, I passed an oral board and a polygraph and the academy starts in 4 weeks. Never hurts to try.
Plus, I'm even younger than you.

I realize that the stealing alcohol from my friend's camp and I also stole a tow chain from the farm I worked on (since which I have returned it), will be scrutinized since stealing is heavily frowned upon. Is 4 or so years since then enough time or will departments like to see even more time go by since then?

Almost everyone has a little baggage , yours is " minor kid stuff". I like the fact of your degree , EMT cert and job history.

Go ahead and apply , just don't do anything else like you did in the past and you will be fine.

Thank you for the encouragement mcsap.

I've always been very confident with my attributes and believe/believed that I'd start my LE career sooner as opposed to later but after some investigation I'm not sure if what I did would qualify as a felony or not. I spent a good bit of time with my good friend at his camp out the mountain and one day (4 years ago) I stopped, let myself in, and took some alcohol; could this be considered a felony? I'm all beside myself now wondering if I permantetly DQ'ed myself. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Unlawful entry with intent to commit a crime IS a felony burglary in PA. But knowing the owner , not stealing guns,jewelry and plasma tv's is certainly different. Have you gone back to this person , apologized and paid for the alcohol ?

You cant change what you did but you can show that you have changed since you did it

I haven't been on here in awhile but thank you again for the advice mcsap, I do appreciate it.

On a different note I was checking out a few deptartments in North Carolina and later had someone inform me that if you've ever committed a felony, whether caught or not, that you can't become a law enforcement officer in NC. Is this accurate? Would my transgression be considered a felony in North Carolina?

I asked a question similar to this a few weeks ago, and it seems that the rules vary from state to state. However, in my brief research, it seems that most police departments are looking for big crimes, like recent DUIs (recent as in past 3 to 5 years), assault, burglary, and other felony crimes. I think you'll be okay to go ahead and apply.

I asked a question similar to this a few weeks ago, and it seems that the rules vary from state to state. However, in my brief research, it seems that most police departments are looking for big crimes, like recent DUIs (recent as in past 3 to 5 years), assault, burglary, and other felony crimes. I think you'll be okay to go ahead and apply.

Unless it is a 3rd offense , most DUI's aren't a felony.

Assaults only if it is a serious injury or a deadly weapon was used.

Burglary - always.