Can he be a cop?

[duckyzgoose]

My boyfriend wants to be a cop but has had some trouble in the past that hes afraid he wont get accepted. In the past he has two misdemeanors, repeated similar offences, discharges from employment, hes on probation (for stealing, and giving away his employee discount to another employee), and got a ticket on his license. Hes a very good person now and has stayed out of trouble for almost two years. He really wants to become a cop, and wants to go to college and take criminal justice, but now hes unsure whether or not he has a chance. Is there any way he can become a police officer?

Thank you for taking the time to read this
Jenni

[dragonspider]

Jenni - It really depends on the circumstances, and the department your boyfriend is interested in. I'd take the CJ classes at the university for a few years... That'll help him build more maturity, and time between the offenses.... He'll be a lot better off a few years down the road...

[duckyzgoose]

Thanks, I'll pass it along to him

[dragonspider]

Thanks, I'll pass it along to him

No problem....

[Jynkxxie]

I think he should talk with a couple of departments that he may want to work for first...before taking any classes. Just my two.

[dragonspider]

The classes won't hurt though.... He should go to college if he can anyway.... He'll be all pre-requisites for some time, and he can always change his mind about his major later....

[Jynkxxie]

Yeah I just wouldn't waste my time on the CJ classes until I knew I at least had a chance. BS classes are fine...Or better yet, he can still major in something completely different and attempt to enter LE at the same time...Opens more avenues for him.

[dragonspider]

I can't disagree, Jynkxxie... You are the almighty source of knowledge!! ;)

[mcsap]

He NEEDS to find out what the requirements and disqulaifications are for the departments he is interested in. The theft ( regardless of how it occurred) , probation, misdemeanor arrests for ?? , spotty employment history. Put together, he does not look like a good candidate. Being a good person now is of course good but that does not erase his past.

[dragonspider]

I agree with you too, mcsap.... This is one of those gray areas...some departments may take him, some may not.... I'm speculating here, but I think this is a young kid... Maybe late teens, maybe not... Still plenty of time to clean up his life, and become a productive citizen.... maybe not a police officer, but he shouldn't rule out college just because he can't be a cop.

[txinvestigator1]

Still plenty of time to clean up his life, and become a productive citizen.... maybe not a police officer, but he shouldn't rule out college just because he can't be a cop.

Yep, best advice yet.

[SupermanPSO514]

did the offenses happen when he was a juvenille?? that might make a difference

[duckyzgoose]

Well he was arrested around the age of 16-17 and they kept pushing the court date till after he was 18 then told him hes on probation for 3 years. Hes going to be 20 this year.

[duckyzgoose]

He was also thinking of volunteering for anything having to do with law enforcement, like at his local police department, and getting a security job, and I was also thinking of telling him to maybe join coast guard but im not sure about their requirements though, im still trying to find out

[dragonspider]

Do all the volunteer work he can in his community.... it looks great before the oral board, and it's a great opportunity to make good connections in the community.... plus... it'll give him a sense of pride and service.