Would you hire me?

[Brs3842]

Hello,

I am currently serving on Active Duty in the US Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor, HI. While I have enjoyed my time on active duty, I am going to transition into the reserves so I can do away with all of the deployments and being away from my family. We plan on landing somewhere in the Missouri/Kansas area. After being in the military, there is no way that I can go to a 9-5 gig or be stuck in an office all day. My father is a Sheriff's Deputy, and I would like to follow suit.

However...

I have had a total of 5 moving violations in my life:

Speeding - 2004
Speeding - January 2007
Reckless driving (20mph over) - July 2007
Failure to maintain control - July 2007
Improper driving - December 2007

After I joined the military in 2008, I have had a stellar record, including numerous awards, one for saving a Marine's life in a non-combat situation, good conduct award, as well as Sailor of the Quarter and 2011 Sailor of the Year in Navy Region Hawaii. I also earned my Bachelors in Organizational Management while on Active Duty.

I have no drug history, no criminal background (other than tickets), and I am squared away now. I was in college during 2007 and, quite frankly, I was just driving carelessly.

So, my question is, is there a point where the "good outweighs the bad?" I am really worried about my reckless driving charge, because it is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. I have read that some departments want no misdemeanor charges in the last 5 years (which mine will be 5 years in July).

I am worried about nothing else with the process, except my ticket history. Would you hire me?

I truly appreciate you taking the time to read/respond.

Thanks!
Brian

[mcsap]

Hi Brian;

Thanks for serving our country !

While your traffic tickets aren't great , the newest one is 5 years old. As long as you can KEEP it that way , you will be fine.

[Kimble]

Hi Brian;

Thanks for serving our country !

While your traffic tickets aren't great , the newest one is 5 years old. As long as you can KEEP it that way , you will be fine.

Agreed. Time and responsible driving help mitigate traffic tickets, honorable military service only helps more. Finish your commitment to Uncle Sam, keep your nose clean and give it a shot.

[Jim1348]

The answer to your questions is difficult without knowing more about other applicants. Thank about it. If another applicant just got out of the US Air Force, also has a Bachelor Of Science, is on the local police reserves, and is currently working at the jail nearby as a correctional deputy, I might select him or her.

But really what your asking is if your traffic history will adversely affect your getting a job in law enforcement. It has been several years ago, so with explanation on your part about the only thing I would want to know is if the Reckless Driving was actually a drunk driving charge that was pled down to reckless driving. That is not unusual in my area, but it may not be common for the area that you would like to work.

Anyway, I would say keep doing what your doing and if you can get some experience as a CSO, police reserve, correctional deputy, etc. that can only help. Good luck!

[Brs3842]

Thank you for the response. I was hoping/expecting those answers, but since I'm not in that field, I wanted to ask some experts. The reckless driving was for a 75 in 55, no alcohol involved (Speed trap right where speed limits changed...good ole Virginia). I make no excuses though.

Thanks again and I will proceed with getting my foot in the door to become a LEO.

Thanks for all you do!

Brian

[retdetsgt]

The tickets would be no problem with us. Good luck, hope you can land a good spot.

[Gutwrench]

You must compete with the other qualified candidates, but there's nothing you mentioned that on its face would make you unhirable, in my opinion. So I echo the others. Thank you for your service and good luck. Your dad is a valuable resource. I hope you take advantage of it.

[Brs3842]

You must compete with the other qualified candidates, but there's nothing you mentioned that on its face would make you unhirable, in my opinion. So I echo the others. Thank you for your service and good luck. Your dad is a valuable resource. I hope you take advantage of it.

Yes Sir I agree. He told me the same thing, but I guess I wanted to confirm that it wasn't just a comforting answer because he is my father. Not that he's ever steered me wrong.

Thanks again everyone!

[mcsap]

Even I managed to attract a few tickets before I became a Police Officer

[marinepilot]

Even I managed to attract a few tickets before I became a Police Officer

They had cars back then? I wouldn't think you'd be able to Fred Flinstone your rock car fast enough to get a ticket!!

[TEXASCOP]

Thank you for the response. I was hoping/expecting those answers, but since I'm not in that field, I wanted to ask some experts. The reckless driving was for a 75 in 55, no alcohol involved (Speed trap right where speed limits changed...good ole Virginia). I make no excuses though.

Thanks again and I will proceed with getting my foot in the door to become a LEO.

Thanks for all you do!

Brian

Yeah, in Texas 75 in a 55 would be a far stretch for a reckless driving charge.

[retdetsgt]

Yeah, in Texas 75 in a 55 would be a far stretch for a reckless driving charge.

Same in Oregon. I seem to recall reading from a cop on the east coast that 20 over is considered reckless there though. I think it was one of the Carolinas.

[mcsap]

They had cars back then? I wouldn't think you'd be able to Fred Flinstone your rock car fast enough to get a ticket!!

Ahem...I had a 1970 Super Bee with a 440 out of a 1972 Montana Highway Patrol car. It got SIX miles to the gallon and idled like it had a broken motor mount. ( but it didn't). Gas was also 59.9 a gallon.