Your opinion?

[StreetHawk]

In 2000 i got a DWI "Zero Tolerance" i was 20 yrs old when i got this, a couple of months b-4 my 21st b-day. anyways this offence is usually enforced when a minor has a BAC above .02 but less than the legal limit of .08. I blew a .04. I guess the biggest thing that ticks me off, is that it shows DWI on my record, And I wasnt even intoxicated! If I was 21, they would have just let me go! Now im gonna have to fight in order to even be considered to be an officer. If you were in charge of hiring, what would you think about this? Would you consider hiring me? I really want to know if I dont have a chance b-4 i fork over money for school. Do i need to start thinking about another career?:(

[Stump]

Street,
I feel for ya, but ANY amount of alcohol in your system at that age is illegal.
Some PD's allow a misdemeanor charge, depending on what it is. Do not hide it on your application. Don't make any excuses or get on a soapbox about how it is unfair, but how you made a horrible mistake, paid for it, and have learned from it.
Our county has a "points" system with applications. If you have LE type experience, it gives you extra points, for example. I suggest you take any courses in school that you can to help with getting more points, get any kind of LE experience, even if it is volunteer.... Just basically do whatever you can to help balance the negative on your application.

[JuniorMPD]

I'm not experienced in this at all, but I think they will still consider you highly. Even though you weren't 21 you weren't drunk and and were obviously okay to drive. If you didn't have anything on your record I would still hire you, if you did... probably not.

But like I said, I know nothing about this, its just my opinion.

[Charlie]

StreetHawk--Gotta agree with Stump's assessment of your situation. He's offered some good advice.

Charlie

[Solego]

If that's your attitude about it, then maybe you should consider a new career path.

[Stump]

Originally posted by JuniorMPD
I'm not experienced in this at all, but I think they will still consider you highly. Even though you weren't 21 you weren't drunk and and were obviously okay to drive. If you didn't have anything on your record I would still hire you, if you did... probably not.

But like I said, I know nothing about this, its just my opinion.

Junior, you are certainly entitled to your opinion -
However, I know for a fact in my county that it is a pretty bad thing to have on your application, and they do ask about your driving record and arrest record. Not only did streethawk drink before reaching the LEGAL age of 21, but he drove ILLEGALLY after drinking. That is two bad things on his record. PD's are going to look for someone without those strikes, so I disagree with "they would consider you highly".
Also, Solego does have a point that having that the "this is bullsh**" attitude is not really a policeman's attitude. Stop playing the blame game, street, and own up to your mistake.

Pssst, Charlie --- I am a Girl Stump, not a Boy Stump.;)

[StreetHawk]

I think you guys are getting the wrong idea. I'm not playing any "blame game". All I'm trying to say is that the way it shows on my record, makes it sound worse than it really was, because it doesnt say "Zero Tolerance" on it. It just says DWI. Don't get me wrong guys, I HAVE taken responsibility for my mistakes, and I am offended when you say I dont have a "policemans attitude". All I EVER think about is being an officer. I really DO apprieciate any advice you can give me. If anybody knows, it would be you guys. Its just that this last year, I've put a LOT of thought into being an officer, and now, I cant think of anything I'd rather do and be happy doing it. I think it would be the most rewarding job in the world. Buy N E ways, thanks for the comments and suggestions. I'll most likely be back because this a great site. Thanks all!

[Island_Girl]

First of all, the people on this board are only opinions. They can try to validate your concerns, but short of that you have to walk the journey on your own. If you want it that bad, don't worry about what everyone else says because the hiring personell will see your drive and may hire you based on your good points and not on your "supposed" one mistake. Don't lose that attitude, keep forcing your way through the red tape and state your points in a non-defensive manner. Policemen put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else, they make mistakes and get away with murder (not literally). I've been a wife for over 10 years and I've seen several different departments and quite a few misbehaving cops. It's not unusual, they too are human and err. But please don't linger on the thought that LE is the most rewarding job in the world....it truly can be a thankless job sometimes. So, my point....DON'T BE A QUITTER!!!

[Woden]

Yes you probably will find a department that will hire you. But it will most likely be in a rural settiing or a department that runs 500 or more short. I t would be a liability to hire you at this time because of your past history. If anything happened driving wise it wouldn't look very good to a civil trail jury and that what a department thinks about when seeing something like that on your record. If that is the only thing on your record maybe after a period of time you can have it expunged.Or after 5 or more years it will seem like you have matured to a prospective department.

[Charlie]

Streethawk--In my humble opinion:

* Your momentary lapse of poor judgement WILL be a factor should you apply with most any given department. I would simply recommend you be open and upfront about the incident in question (Not to imply that you won't or have not been). Without a doubt, the BG investigator WILL find out about it anyways. Tell it like it is.

* One thing that is possibly against you too, as someone else mentioned, it was a fairly recent incident. The more time between you and the incident, the better.

* You're still a young person and a lot of departments generally prefer to hire people a little bit older, say around 25-years or so in age. This is not to say they will not hire someone younger or older but it is something to keep in mind that MAY be a factor depending upon where you may apply for a position. Remember, LE agency qualifications and standards vary. Everyone doesn't do things the same way.

* Competition may be a factor too. As in, the ratio of applicants versas positions available? Obviously if there are a high number of applicants and only a handful in available positions, competition can be tough and people will be eliminated as quickly as possible to get to the "creme of the crop."

* Consider contacting any prospective LE agencies before hand and talk to the recruiter. Perhaps even anonymously by phone OR, maybe even via email. A lot of departments have recruitment information on their web sites often times with email links. What would this accomplish? You could discuss your situation and concerns. This could in turn give you a better "feel" of your chances of getting hired.

* Remember: It is not uncommon for someone to apply with an LE agency more than one time BEFORE finally getting hired. If you're not hired the first time through, consider applying again.....

* Does your situation cut you out of the job completely? Again, it depends upon WHO you apply with, their standards, qualifcations, competition, etc. And, it depends upon "how forgiving" a department may be. I think you'll always have a problem with this factor but I don't think it is a permament disqualifyer---only temporary maybe for the time being. How long? I don't know.

* Finally, for the time being, I would also recommend that you attain as much education as you can as well. Preferably, get yourself some sort of degree: an AA or, even better at minimum, a B.S. It simply amounts to competition my friend.....and it is a lot easier to go to school now BEFORE getting hried somewhere as a LEO. When you're on the job, I think it is a lot harder to try and further your education.

Hope this helps in some way but that is how I see your situation at this time.

Charlie

P.S.--Sorry Stumpy about the gender misidentification...still learning about the "birds and bees" here! hehehe!:D