Can I become a Cop?

[xnamjax]

I am a 27 yr old male living in NJ. I currently work as a custodian in a near by school. Becoming a police officer has been a dream of mine since I can remember. My problem is that when I was in high school, I messed with the wrong people and was arrested for possession of marajuana as well as a few other drugs. All charges have been dropped ( because I didn't have any of the other on me) except the weed. I was 15 at the time and since then have tried to live a respectable and honest life. I received the humanitarian award when I graduated and also received a citation from the mayor of my town the same year. Is it possible for me to still become a police officer in nj with the arrests on my record? I was gonna get a expungement but I found out that I would still have to list the arrests on my application. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cat_Doc]

Your best bet would be to decide which department you would like to work for and speak with one of their recruiters or background investigators.

[BJJVad]

"Just weed"

Why down play "Weed"? Was it a "not-so-criminal" act?

If being a LEO was your life long dream, why put that in jeopardy?

Time and positive deeds will definitely help alleviate any fears of an agency investing into you as a possible hire. Just remember to be completely honest, with whatever questions are on your application.

[xnamjax]

"Sounds to me like you down play "Weed" as a "not-so-criminal" act. If being a LEO was your life long dream, why put that in jeopardy?"

Please don't get me wrong. I am in no way trying to downplay "weed" and not being so criminal. It's not a time of my life that I'm in anyway proud of. Besides, I didn't say that it was "just weed", what I said was that all charges were dropped except the weed.

It was a dark time of my life that I am sorry about.

[Legoate]

Possibly. You won't know until you try.

[BJJVad]

"Sounds to me like you down play "Weed" as a "not-so-criminal" act. If being a LEO was your life long dream, why put that in jeopardy?"

Please don't get me wrong. I am in no way trying to downplay "weed" and not being so criminal. It's not a time of my life that I'm in anyway proud of. Besides, I didn't say that it was "just weed", what I said was that all charges were dropped except the weed.

It was a dark time of my life that I am sorry about.

Whether written as "except" or "just", I read it as a downplay. When you claim becoming a LEO has been a life long dream, but position yourself where weed and other narcotics are located, it shows you lacked decision making skills, or embellished (lied) to add legitimacy toward becoming a LEO. Then further stating a "redeeming" quality as a humanitarian award read more like a ruffling of one's own feathers.

I am still a relatively young guy, but the older I do get, the more I realize that apologies are just cop-out's.

The truth is, you will more than likely not be disqualified from what you have stated above. In some areas that may make you the cream of the crop. But, whatever your position now, you will be applying against other candidates that have zero drug history.

Welcome to site, next time use the search option. We answer this many times each month..

Refer to the excellent advice of my partners, about being a "Go-Getter".

[Kimble]

I am a 27 yr old male living in NJ.

Other than what you admitted to in your post, have you, now or at any time in the past, been involved in in "fist pumping," spray-on tanning, or other shenanigans shown on Jersey Shore?

[FBINA188]

Your best bet would be to decide which department you would like to work for and speak with one of their recruiters or background investigators.

You will receive many different answers to your question, since policies vary from agency to agency, therefore, the recommendation from Cat_Doc, will get you the direct answer without any speculation

Other than what you admitted to in your post, have you, now or at any time in the past, been involved in in "fist pumping," spray-on tanning, or other shenanigans shown on Jersey Shore?

In most places this could hurt your chances, but in NJ, it may be a requirement of the job

Good luck in your future

[retdetsgt]

Other than what you admitted to in your post, have you, now or at any time in the past, been involved in in "fist pumping," spray-on tanning, or other shenanigans shown on Jersey Shore?

Hey, I got through the little incident involving the Chinese lady and the Cheese Whiz with no problem.

[greg72982]

Other than what you admitted to in your post, have you, now or at any time in the past, been involved in in "fist pumping," spray-on tanning, or other shenanigans shown on Jersey Shore?

And do your friends/acquaintances ever refer to you as "The Situation?"

[viperphi]

"was arrested for possession of marajuana as well as a few other drugs"... What were the other drugs?

In Ohio, simple marijuana possession is a minor misdemeanor (the equivalent of running a stop sign). The only kicker is that you get the in-state drug offense driver's license suspension... Which is why I love charging the reefer! Simple arrest today leads the big stuff on the next traffic stop when they've moved past the gateway drug.

Apply and find out.