Is there still hope for me to be a cop?

[MR_NO_LUCK]

My name is Charlie and I would really like to become a cop. My only thing is that, Growing up I got into minor trouble, I believe nothing real serious. The last problem I got into was in 2005 and it was semi serious because it involved possesion, the case was dismissed in court due to PTI. I am 36 years old and I moved to VA to Start a new life, any starting points (schools-National Guard) if you think I have a chance?

[Switchback]

IMO, the "incident" 5 years ago would be less of an issue if you could blame it on youthful indiscretion. The problem is that you were 31 when it happened.

Now, as with all blemishes in one's past, the more distance you can put between you and the blemish, the better. With that said, many agencies/departments have age cut-offs and you may very well be past these before you have the necessary time between you and this incident with which you are concerned.

Who knows, different places have different standards. You may be able to find one that does not put too much weight on the problems in your background. The economy will not be your friend, though, as there is more competition for every job out there.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

My name is Charlie and I would really like to become a cop. My only thing is that, Growing up I got into minor trouble, I believe nothing real serious. The last problem I got into was in 2005 and it was semi serious because it involved possesion, the case was dismissed in court due to PTI. I am 36 years old and I moved to VA to Start a new life, any starting points (schools-National Guard) if you think I have a chance?

You have not provided anywhere close to enough information to provide you with an answer. Switch told you about all we can give without knowing more.

[manahmanah]

Possession of what? Dildos? Fleshlights? What is PTI?

[mcsap]

Why dont you give a full accounting of these " minor " incidents and let us weigh in with a lot more accuracy ?

[Samuel]

If he hasn't been RE-possessed in the last 5 years, I say he's good to go...

[Kimble]

IMO, the "incident" 5 years ago would be less of an issue if you could blame it on youthful indiscretion. The problem is that you were 31 when it happened.

Ditto! Little hard for anyone to believe a 31 year old man is still a "dumb kid."

[DeltaV]

PTI (pretrial intervention) doesn't mean that the charges disappear. PTI is a program given to those without serious records in order for them to complete a program so adjudication isn't applied. So why you were not technically convicted, you basically pled guilty in order to enter a program. If that charge was for possessing anything other than marijuana, you're done and have about zero chance of ever getting hired. If it was for marijuana then your chances improve slightly, but not much.

I won't even get into your drug use, which obviously is on more than an experimental basis if you're 31 and getting arrested for possession. That is going to be another nail in the coffin regardless of the arrest.

[sgtbear111]

My name is Charlie and I would really like to become a cop. My only thing is that, Growing up I got into minor trouble, I believe nothing real serious. The last problem I got into was in 2005 and it was semi serious because it involved possesion, the case was dismissed in court due to PTI. I am 36 years old and I moved to VA to Start a new life, any starting points (schools-National Guard) if you think I have a chance?

I see that "minor" became "nothing real serious" and "last problem" 5 years ago became "semi serious" for unspecified "possession". No specifics here,

Do you have a chance? Insufficient information. Vague, evasive wording means avoidance of a problem, not stepping up to deal with it.