Can I be a cop with a Class A misdemeanor

[samantha4]

I was wondering if I can be a cop if I was arrested for assault against a family member with bodily injury. My charge is going to be dismissed so I didn't know if it would still hold me back. I also have a minor in possession charge for alcohol. I always wanted to be a cop and I would hate for 2 mistakes I made not let me pursue my dream. Also, I live in central Texas. Thanks.

[retdetsgt]

I was wondering if I can be a cop if I was arrested for assault against a family member with bodily injury. My charge is going to be dismissed so I didn't know if it would still hold me back.

The MIP isn't insurmountable, but the arrest for assault probably will. Why is it going to be dismissed? Who did you assault? What kind of injury? Apparently, this just happened?

[samantha4]

The prosecutor I was assigned to told me he thought I was a good person and was going to give me a chance and only sent me to this program I have to complete and after I complete it my case will be dismissed. I was arrested in December and the program is 24 weeks long so I will be done in November. I assaulted my boyfriend at the time. I hit him and his eye was swollen so the cops took me to jail.

[Kimble]

I was wondering if I can be a cop if I was arrested for assault against a family member with bodily injury. My charge is going to be dismissed so I didn't know if it would still hold me back. I also have a minor in possession charge for alcohol. I always wanted to be a cop and I would hate for 2 mistakes I made not let me pursue my dream. Also, I live in central Texas. Thanks.

Assaulting someone is hardly a "mistake," particularly for someone who "always wanted to be a cop." I'm not saying you're a bad person - I don't know you, and this could be something you did out of character - but let's not minimize a criminal act as if it's something minor like not matching your socks.

If you end up being convicted of domestic violence (misdemeanor or felony) the Lautenberg Amendment (i.e. federal law) will bar you from carrying a firearm, which will also permanently disqualify you from holding a law enforcement job.

[samantha4]

Assaulting someone is hardly a "mistake," particularly for someone who "always wanted to be a cop." I'm not saying you're a bad person - I don't know you, and this could be something you did out of character - but let's not minimize a criminal act as if it's something minor like not matching your socks.

If you end up being convicted of domestic violence (misdemeanor or felony) the Lautenberg Amendment (i.e. federal law) will bar you from carrying a firearm, which will also permanently disqualify you from holding a law enforcement job.

It was a mistake because of the circumstances. I didn't just randomly hit him, there was a history behind everything. So like I said, a mistake.

[Kimble]

It was a mistake because of the circumstances. I didn't just randomly hit him, there was a history behind everything. So like I said, a mistake.

Without you sharing any of the background details, I have no way to agree with you on that.

If you apply to a department, even if this is dismissed in the courts, they're going to want to know EVERYTHING about this incident. Simply stating, "there was a history behind it" won't suffice.

[samantha4]

Without you sharing any of the background details, I have no way to agree with you on that.

If you apply to a department, even if this is dismissed in the courts, they're going to want to know EVERYTHING about this incident. Simply stating, "there was a history behind it" won't suffice.

I will be totally content with telling them everything about that and my whole life. I have nothing to hide and I want to be a cop more than anything. I was going to join the Army and I been training myself for it but I realized its not for me and I want to pursue my dream since I was literally 3. My boyfriend at the time hit me and grabbed me before and I kept everything bottled in. I was raped when I was 13 and I never dealt with it. So i had a lot of emotions built up and the night I was arrested, he started screaming at me so I snapped. A person can only take so much. So there's the summary of what all happened.

[retdetsgt]

Nothing gives a chief or sheriff much more heartburn that one of his people being involved in a domestic violence situation. If you have a history of it, no matter what the circumstances, that's going to make them not want to take a chance on you. You had a choice to make and you made a very bad one for someone who wants to go into this profession.

I guarantee you will be yelled at on this job and if you "snap", it's going to be all over but the tears.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Even if the charge is dismissed, there's always a spot on the applications for listing times you've been arrested even if not convicted. You'll have to list what happened and details about the 24-week course you're being required to take. Even without a conviction, violence is extremely frowned upon in applicants, especially family violence for the above-listed Lautenberg reasons.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I will be totally content with telling them everything about that and my whole life. I have nothing to hide and I want to be a cop more than anything. I was going to join the Army and I been training myself for it but I realized its not for me and I want to pursue my dream since I was literally 3. My boyfriend at the time hit me and grabbed me before and I kept everything bottled in. I was raped when I was 13 and I never dealt with it. So i had a lot of emotions built up and the night I was arrested, he started screaming at me so I snapped. A person can only take so much. So there's the summary of what all happened.

If you miraculously passed through the initial application process, you will be washed out by the psych exam. There is too great a risk of transference and you've already shown an inability to physically control yourself.

[Citicop]

I will be totally content with telling them everything about that and my whole life. I have nothing to hide and I want to be a cop more than anything. I was going to join the Army and I been training myself for it but I realized its not for me and I want to pursue my dream since I was literally 3. My boyfriend at the time hit me and grabbed me before and I kept everything bottled in. I was raped when I was 13 and I never dealt with it. So i had a lot of emotions built up and the night I was arrested, he started screaming at me so I snapped. A person can only take so much. So there's the summary of what all happened.

So what happens when you go to the academy, get hired as a cop, and respond to a domestic violence or rape situation and "just snap" again and punch a compliant or restrained suspect in the face?

I'll tell you, you and the department will get sued into oblivion.

I'm sorry about what you've been through, but it sounds to me like you have some issues to work through before any department I am familiar with would hire you as a cop, if at all...

-Citicop.

[samantha4]

Nothing gives a chief or sheriff much more heartburn that one of his people being involved in a domestic violence situation. If you have a history of it, no matter what the circumstances, that's going to make them not want to take a chance on you. You had a choice to make and you made a very bad one for someone who wants to go into this profession.

I guarantee you will be yelled at on this job and if you "snap", it's going to be all over but the tears.

Yes I did make a very bad choice. I wish I could take it back but I can't so lesson learned.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Yes I did make a very bad choice. I wish I could take it back but I can't so lesson learned.

Just remember this throughout your life. If you truly believe it and live by it, you've several steps ahead of a lot of people that have come in here asking questions.

Good luck.

[samantha4]

So what happens when you go to the academy, get hired as a cop, and respond to a domestic violence or rape situation and "just snap" again and punch a compliant or restrained suspect in the face?

I'll tell you, you and the department will get sued into oblivion.

I'm sorry about what you've been through, but it sounds to me like you have some issues to work through before any department I am familiar with would hire you as a cop, if at all...

-Citicop.

There is no way I would do anything like that. It would be my job to protect people and serve my city as it should be. That is the horrible thing...although I know I would never do it again, the police department doesn't know if I would. That's why I was asking if by law I am able to still be a cop.

[samantha4]

Just remember this throughout your life. If you truly believe it and live by it, you've several steps ahead of a lot of people that have come in here asking questions.

Good luck.

I will. Thanks for the help.