Question for Officers and Police Recruiters

[midibite]

Dear Officers,

I would like to give you some background information about myself and see if you feel that I would qualify as a Potential Police candidate.

I am currently 39 years old and have seriously considered becoming a police officer the past couple of years. I decided to go back to college to get my degree in Criminal Justice to assist my pursuit of my career.

A little background information on why I am requesting your response to my inquiry to see if I would fit with a department. (I am located in California).

Formally, I was in the Navy. I signed up under the DEP program when I was 17 years of age. Prior to DEP, I was a Sea Cadet and joined the Navy with a higher rank upon completion of boot camp. When I reached boot camp, I was recruit commanding petty officer because of my prior experience with the Sea Cadets. Unknown to me, my recruiter had signed me up as an AO (aviation ordinance) which I found out after I reviewed my paperwork at the DEP station, which was not my MOS of choice. I decided to wait to get into boot camp to discuss this with my CO. In boot camp, I requested to see a jag officer regarding the situation, at the time I was told I by my company CO, I would have to finish boot camp and then make my change request, which I was told would not be guaranteed. Being 17 and completely disappointed that my recruiter had lied to me, I went AWOL in 1987 from boot camp after about 3 weeks into training. After a short stint in a Computer Technical college at the time after going AWOL, I knew I had to turn myself in and get this cleared up. I didn't have much of a family besides my mother at the time and I was very distraught with the whole situation. After turning myself in, I accepted an Other Than Honorable discharge with a discharge code of RE4. Later, my former recruiter received a court martial and spent time in the brig for recruiting violations. He was later discharged with a dishonorable discharge. He also had the gall to call me up later in 1988 and ask me if I wanted to sell him my 1964 Ford Ranchero, which I found strange.


Key Points to consider regarding my candidacy:

1. It has been 22 years since this discharge happened.
2. I have not had any run ins with the law whatsoever. 2 Speeding tickets in 22 years.
3. I have smoked marijuana a few times, but it has been several years since I have done so, long before I had consider this as a career.
4. I have never used any other drugs.
5. I did have a span of a few years of drinking due to a job loss and breaking up with my fiancée, which occurred all within the same week. But I no longer drink anything whatsoever.
6. I am in great physical shape.
7. I am currently completing my college education in the next 1½ - 2 years.
8. I have had several jobs but have never been fired for anything. I have been at my current career for 6 years.


I have been forthright in giving you as much information regarding my background information as I can possibly on this forum.

I would like your honest, candid assessment if you feel I would be a qualified candidate as a Police Officer.

I thank you in advance for your critique and assistance in obtaining any information I can to move forward in my pursuit of a new career in law enforcement.

Regards.

[manahmanah]

Most, if not all, departments will automatically disqualify you with anything other than an honorable discharge. I have not heard of anyone accepting anything less.

[midibite]

Even if it there is proof that the recruiter got busted for recruiting violations after the fact?

I may try to ask for my discharge to be upgraded. I have already found all the necessary paperwork to proceed that route which I imagine, is going to take some time to complete.

Most, if not all, departments will automatically disqualify you with anything other than an honorable discharge. I have not heard of anyone accepting anything less.

[Roger Dat]

The only chance you have to compete is to have your discharge upgraded. Law Enforcement is a para-military organization. If you dont get what you want like you didnt in the service are you just going to pack it in? Not saying thats the case but your background investigator wil ask these types of questions.

You also say you havent done mj in years. Are we talking 20 years, 5 years? 2 years? Also how much, are we beyond experientation? You have a uphill climb at best.

[txinvestigator1]

Everyone has a story. Yours is irrelevant as to your eligibility. Ony your status is.

best of luck to you.

[mcsap]

Dear Officers,

I would like to give you some background information about myself and see if you feel that I would qualify as a Potential Police candidate.

I am currently 39 years old and have seriously considered becoming a police officer the past couple of years. I decided to go back to college to get my degree in Criminal Justice to assist my pursuit of my career.

Age is OK , but some PD's do have a max. Don't be so quick to think you must have a CJ degree.

A little background information on why I am requesting your response to my inquiry to see if I would fit with a department. (I am located in California).

Formally, I was in the Navy. I signed up under the DEP program when I was 17 years of age. Prior to DEP, I was a Sea Cadet and joined the Navy with a higher rank upon completion of boot camp. When I reached boot camp, I was recruit commanding petty officer because of my prior experience with the Sea Cadets. Unknown to me, my recruiter had signed me up as an AO (aviation ordinance) which I found out after I reviewed my paperwork at the DEP station, which was not my MOS of choice. I decided to wait to get into boot camp to discuss this with my CO. In boot camp, I requested to see a jag officer regarding the situation, at the time I was told I by my company CO, I would have to finish boot camp and then make my change request, which I was told would not be guaranteed. Being 17 and completely disappointed that my recruiter had lied to me, I went AWOL in 1987 from boot camp after about 3 weeks into training. After a short stint in a Computer Technical college at the time after going AWOL, I knew I had to turn myself in and get this cleared up. I didn't have much of a family besides my mother at the time and I was very distraught with the whole situation. After turning myself in, I accepted an Other Than Honorable discharge with a discharge code of RE4. Later, my former recruiter received a court martial and spent time in the brig for recruiting violations. He was later discharged with a dishonorable discharge. He also had the gall to call me up later in 1988 and ask me if I wanted to sell him my 1964 Ford Ranchero, which I found strange.

OTH discharge is not good , period. See if you can get it upgraded. Simply because your old recruiter got arrested for recruiting violations doesn't automatically mean that he did so to you. You would need to prove it.


Key Points to consider regarding my candidacy:

1. It has been 22 years since this discharge happened.
2. I have not had any run ins with the law whatsoever. 2 Speeding tickets in 22 years.
3. I have smoked marijuana a few times, but it has been several years since I have done so, long before I had consider this as a career.

How long ago and how many times ?

4. I have never used any other drugs.


5. I did have a span of a few years of drinking due to a job loss and breaking up with my fiancée, which occurred all within the same week. But I no longer drink anything whatsoever.

When and how long ??


6. I am in great physical shape.How great is great ? What is your 1.5 mile run time ??


7. I am currently completing my college education in the next 1½ - 2 years.


8. I have had several jobs but have never been fired for anything. I have been at my current career for 6 years.


I have been forthright in giving you as much information regarding my background information as I can possibly on this forum.

I would like your honest, candid assessment if you feel I would be a qualified candidate as a Police Officer.

I thank you in advance for your critique and assistance in obtaining any information I can to move forward in my pursuit of a new career in law enforcement.

Regards.

Replies / questions embedded.

[midibite]

Replies / questions embedded.

5. I did have a span of a few years of drinking due to a job loss and breaking up with my fiancée, which occurred all within the same week. But I no longer drink anything whatsoever.

When and how long ??


Over 10 years ago.

OTH discharge is not good , period. See if you can get it upgraded. Simply because your old recruiter got arrested for recruiting violations doesn't automatically mean that he did so to you. You would need to prove it.

I am in the process of doing this now but I think that I will only be able to get a general discharge

3. I have smoked marijuana a few times, but it has been several years since I have done so, long before I had consider this as a career.

How long ago and how many times ?

Over 15 years ago. About 10 times.


6. I am in great physical shape.How great is great ? What is your 1.5 mile run time ??

13:68


Thank you all for your response.

[ShadowWarrior]

In Florida it states in Florida Statues: "Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States." Since yours was not dishonorable, you would not be DQ'd by statue. Many departments raise their own standards and say anything other than Honorable. You would have to check with the department you are thinking of applying too.

As with most people who post here, you would be better off asking these things to the recruiter of the department you are thinking of applying too, rather then us. We can tell you what our departments would say, but with 27,000 departments in the US, you could get a few different policies.

Be well and good luck...

[midibite]

Dear Chris, I have been told by some other departments in California the same exact thing. They only consider dishonorable discharges to be bad and take anything else on a case by case basis. I will be speaking with the Professor at my University and with the local recruiter for the Sheriff and Police departments to receive more information.

I thank you very much for your information and appreciate your response.

In Florida it states in Florida Statues: "Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States." Since yours was not dishonorable, you would not be DQ'd by statue. Many departments raise their own standards and say anything other than Honorable. You would have to check with the department you are thinking of applying too.

As with most people who post here, you would be better off asking these things to the recruiter of the department you are thinking of applying too, rather then us. We can tell you what our departments would say, but with 27,000 departments in the US, you could get a few different policies.

Be well and good luck...

[ShadowWarrior]

Dear Chris, I have been told by some other departments in California the same exact thing. They only consider dishonorable discharges to be bad and take anything else on a case by case basis. I will be speaking with the Professor at my University and with the local recruiter for the Sheriff and Police departments to receive more information.

I thank you very much for your information and appreciate your response.

No problem, and good luck..

[midibite]

Besides, I figured I get a great college education in CJ in the meantime and I would be able use the education in many other facets if not in law enforcement. I greatly appreciate your assistance and I will try my best.

No problem, and good luck..