Stupid shoplifting case, now I am concerned for my future career!!

[s2kevint]

Long story short, I had an argument with my girlfriend, so I left her house and wanted to smoke a cigarette. Low and behold, my lighter ran out of lighting fluid, so that irritated me even more. I drove to the local supermarket, and I wanted to purchase a lighter. I was irritated, in a hurry, and the lines were too long, so my dumb self just stole the lighter. As I walked out, the store security gaurd politely asked me to please follow him back inside. Yes I knew I was caught, and I willingly followed him. I didn't try to bull**** my way out, or resist in any way, I have respect for people who work in law enforcement or security jobs. The security gaurd and I actually shared a few laughs, and he said I was the most cooperative and fun shop lifter he ever caught. He just took a photo copy of my CA drivers lisence, and wrote me a fine I had to pay the store. I already mailed a check to the supermarket, so thats the end of that. Will this show up on my background check, will this stupid mindless stunt I try to pull really ruin my chances of my dream career?

Just to recap: I paid the supermarket, not the court, a fine. No police officers were called or notified while I was there. I was 18 when this happened, and if it even matters, I was far away from home. I've always wanted to be a police officer, and working hard in college to get a degree in Administration of Justice. I would just hate to work so hard only to get this one event bite me in the *** when I am old enough to apply!

Please, any input will be helpful; And be bluntly honest.

[Citicop]

Now you are concerned for your future career?

It's a bit late for that, no? You knew that you wanted to be a Law Enforcement Officer while you were stealing things from a store, right?

Past behavior is the best indicator we have to predict future behavior. I would not hire you.

You will have to disclose it in your background. I'd say you have almost no chance in the near future. If you wait 10 years and use the time wisely, you'll increase your chances.

Citicop.

[s2kevint]

Thanks for the quick responses. I feel discouraged now. Im still young enough to change careers (Im still 18), but I'm so confused on what I want to be. Being a LEO was what I wanted to do my whole life. Any other input would be appreciated as well.

[Kimble]

A theft on something as minor as a lighter can be mitigated with time, but like citicop said, the bigger issue is that you did it recently and while obviously knowing you wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement (evidenced by the fact you're studing a CJ cirriculum in school). You have to realize that no police agency is going to hire someone they know will steal, and if you've wanted to be a LEO "your whole life", how are they to see that you wouldn't continue to steal while employed with their department? Not smart, but put some time between this with responsible behavior and good judgment and you may have a shot in a few years.

[Roger Dat]

Well now your decision on what to do with your life is a little easier. You can eliminate law enforcement for the time being.

[InTheEnd]

Time in the military might overshadow the event as you allow time to pass.

[s2kevint]

Yes. Im not gonna make up a reason or bull**** to you guys why i stole a lighter. matter of the fact is i stole it. i just dont want that one event to be reflecting on who i am to the department. Minus that one event, I've done nothing criminally wrong.

Im the stock guy for a sprint store and i am the only one in charge of my store's inventory. There's so many loop holes in our system, i can literally steal phones everyday and start my own cell phone store, but i don't. So I hate to be labeled as a guy who will steal continuously if I were to be hired just based on one incident in my 18 years of "almost" perfect record.

@Ros - You mentioned give it a few years with good actions. Well I am only 18, I can't apply until 21, so I have to wait a few years anyways. Would 3 years between the event and when I apply be long enough? Thanks.

[s2kevint]

@InTheEnd
I was actually considering joining the USMC. I called my cousin (Whos in the USMC), told him of my situation and asked how the military life was. But I would love to still pursue being a LEO.

I have good relations with my Criminal Justice Professor, and between her and her husband, they seem to have alot of good connections around the area. Told her of my situation, and I have a meeting with her about my options and what I can do. She knows how bad I want it and how hard I work to be a LEO, so she said she will help me.

I know some of you officers will think I don't deserve to be a LEO or whatever reason wished I received no help for what I did; But I did a mistake, and whats done is done. I will continue to pursue it, and if I get DQ'd and 4 years down the drain, at least I wont have any regrets when I'm working on a new career.

[Legoate]

You are really missing the point. If you REALLY wanted to be an LEO like you keep saying, you wouldn't steal. At the point that stealing even started into your mind something should have kicked in and told you how stupid it was. However, you chose to ignore it- that is the real problem.

Secondly- stop smoking. I'm not going to take the time to tell you the reasons why.

[s2kevint]

Yes I know. Im stupid.

And yes, I'm trying to quit.