I'm very concerned... need feedback

[tre8]

It seems that alot of people are beating up on the poster......


Well, you did make a mistake that's going to hurt your chances with any LEO job in the immediate future. Driving while under the influence shows irresponsibility and immaturity. If and when you do get to a BI, you are going to have ALOT of explaining to do.

However, if you really want to be a police officer, I say go for it. You are going to need a good 5-6 years of clean living and work experience (military perhaps?) in addition to a degree to even be considered. The DUI has blackballed you from a good number of agencies, and delayed your chances for alot of others.

While you are waiting for that 5-6 years to go by, I would strongly suggest picking up a test prep guide to prepare you for the hiring process. Because of this DUI, you're going to need to score exceptionally high on any test you ever take to be considered.

I think you may have shot yourself in the foot, but you are not done yet. Good luck and keep applying. Hopefully you don't participate in this kind of behavior again.....

[SpacemanSpiff]

On a side note: I'm often amazed as to the students along side me in my Criminal Justice programs... most of them are party animals... smoke pot… and seem to have no concerns about ever getting a job...

Haha, you are very correct. I've seen the same thing at my University, and I can tell you that the cold hard stick of reality will be beating them pretty soon, don't you worry!

However, out of the 100 CJ students at my University, I only know of 3 others personally that want to be cops. The others are a mix of people with nothing better to do, so they take an "easy" major, or plan on going to law school.

[Nole795]

However, out of the 100 CJ students at my University, I only know of 3 others personally that want to be cops. The others are a mix of people with nothing better to do, so they take an "easy" major, or plan on going to law school.

It's good to know that not much has changed since I graduated from college 10 years ago.

[smoke63b]

Off topic but, I'd love my CJ classes if it wasn't for all the retards in them... Seriously the most disrespectfull, obnoxious, bunch of people at my college. There's maybe 3 people in all my CJ courses that I consider mature or even normal for that matter...

To the original poster. Nothin to it but to do it. Just finish up your degree and try. That's really all you can do. If you try for a long time and get sick of it, move on. Good luck to you in whatever you end up in.

[TaylorMade18]

Everyone makes mistakes. The toughest thing about yours is the fact that the LEO job hunt is EXTREMELY competitive, its literally a dog-fight for the positions that are available out there.

Like many of the others who have posted, let some time go by and keep plugging along. You are young, and time is on your side so use it to your advantage. Best of luck to you...

[ObtuseAngle]

It sounds like you are owning up to your mistake and really feel sorry about what you did. My advise, even though I do no have alot of experience in LEO hiring process, is:

Finish your degree since you are so close, don't let your money and time go to waste.

Join the military, focus on infantry or some other combat arms MOS, avoid some typewriter job.
This will result in you going to Iraq, You will automatically earn 5 points for veterans preferance, you can earn 10 points in getting a purple heart by being a wounded in action. (That part is going to suck though!)

Stay in, go to Ranger School or join the Special Forces, those look good on any resume!

Gain those 5 years, then apply for LEO jobs like a rapid dog.

Those veteran points will at least move you up on higher some hiring lists that are based on points, regardless on previous bad deeds, but then the rest of it is up to the department at that point.

Hopefully this helps, or I am just rambling;)

[Valor55]

Those veteran points will at least move you up on higher some hiring lists that are based on points, regardless on previous bad deeds, but then the rest of it is up to the department at that point.

You can have all the points and preferences in the world but bad deeds are always there and they will always be competing against people who don't have them. It will always be a hindrance. Otherwise your advice was sound.

[ObtuseAngle]

You are right, Valor.

If this guy can at least pad his resume by having skills and experiences not exacly run-of-the-mill with each other LEO canidate in the run-up, maybe this can increase his chances.

But in the long run that DUI is going to hurt.

By fed/state law though, veterans points have to be awarded regardless on the canidates qualifications:cool:

But vet points are a small part of the overall process.

[mxwelch]

You are right, Valor.

If this guy can at least pad his resume by having skills and experiences not exacly run-of-the-mill with each other LEO canidate in the run-up, maybe this can increase his chances.

But in the long run that DUI is going to hurt.

By fed/state law though, veterans points have to be awarded regardless on the canidates qualifications:cool:

But vet points are a small part of the overall process.

It couldn't hurt. I stepped back from the hiring process to hopefully pull some time as a Marine and work on a 2 year degree during that time frame. I gotta believe that'll make the difference.