I'm very concerned... need feedback

[Loving44]

I'm 22 years old and a current full-time student at a major Southern California university studying Criminal Justice. It has been my goal to become a police officer for as long as I can remember, and I have strived throughout my life to do things that would help me further myself towards achieving my goal.

I was and continue to be a good student, maintaining at least a 3.3 GPA as well as being involved with programs such as JROTC (in high school) and The Criminal Justice students association.

A little over a year ago I was hired by a local municipal police department as a "police cadet". I had to pass all of the same background as a normal officer would, but worked an "un-sworn" position. Everything was looking great for me and I as well in reach of becoming a sworn peace officer as soon as I was done with school according to my supervisors.

Shortly after being hired I was involved in a car accident and was arrested for DUI. I was indeed over the legal limit and had blown a .13. I was cited and released without any jail time. In the morning I called my department and explained what happened and after a three month suspension I was forced to resign my position. They told me that it would be three to five years until I could apply for a law enforcement job (I'm assuming because my probation is three years). I have a clean driving record besides this DUI conviction, and I have not had any other major run-ins with the law. I also do not have a drinking problem as a DUI arrest may suggest

My concern is this,
After I receive my BS degree, how much will this conviction deter me from being hired? There is not a day that goes by that I don't think to myself that with those couple drinks I have ruined my chances of ever becoming a police officer. I would really appreciate any officers with experience in the hiring process who have anything or any information they can give me to possibly give me guidance into things I can do to improve my situation or give me some peace of mind!!!

[michiganstud]

My concern is this,
After I receive my BS degree, how much will this conviction deter me from being hired? There is not a day that goes by that I don't think to myself that with those couple drinks I have ruined my chances of ever becoming a police officer. I would really appreciate any officers with experience in the hiring process who have anything or any information they can give me to possibly give me guidance into things I can do to improve my situation or give me some peace of mind!!!

Its not a good outlook for you. I'm sorry. But go for the BS, and go forward with applying. You might get lucky.

[Unit19]

Ok. Not an LEO but I will give you my opinion. I can tell you the one thing that will hurt is you will be up against candidates that HAVE NOT been convicted of this.

I don't think that you have ruined your chances but have created a great hurdle. Don't give it up and hopefully things will turn out good for you.

[Loving44]

Thanks for the replies

[cntryboy0531]

Definatly not good. My agency wouldn't even look at you unless you had minimum of 60 months clean. And that's just looking, no Promise you'd be hired.

[Unit19]

http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=34568

This is GREAT INFO.

[mxwelch]

You must not want it bad enough. When I choose to pursue a career in LE I made sure that I wouldn't even get a parking ticket much less a DUI. Time is your friend.

[Loving44]

You must not want it bad enough. When I choose to pursue a career in LE I made sure that I wouldn't even get a parking ticket much less a DUI. Time is your friend.

I assure you I want it very bad, and I too have never received a parking ticket... the DUI arrest was the result of a weather related accident that may or may not have been avoided had I not had anything to drink that night... Since the arrest I feel I have become a more responsible and mature person and have only occasionally had anything to drink since the incident almost a year and a half ago.

Thank you for your response.

[Unit19]

THE RESULT OF THE DUI WAS BECAUSE YOU DRANK AND GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL. NOT A WEATHER RELATED ACCIDENT!! Did the people you hit make you drink and then force you to drive? That excuse will surely get you DQ'ed!!

[Loving44]

THE RESULT OF THE DUI WAS BECAUSE YOU DRANK AND GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL. NOT A WEATHER RELATED ACCIDENT!! Did the people you hit make you drink and then force you to drive? That excuse will surely get you DQ'ed!!

Not to be mistaken, I take full responsibility for drinking and getting behind the wheel and I'm not making any excuses for my drinking and driving, but I didn't just run into a car, lots of factors went into the accident. I understand I should of refrained from the alcohol knowing that I had places to be later in the night.

[MetPC]

lots of factors went into the accident. I understand I should of refrained from the alcohol knowing that I had places to be later in the night.

There's no such thing as a "weather related accident" only driving that is not suitable for the road/weather conditions. That collision was caused by a failure to drive properly, probably because you were under the influence of alcohol. If you try and represent it as anything else you'll be shown the door for sure.

[Loving44]

There's no such thing as a "weather related accident" only driving that is not suitable for the road/weather conditions. That collision was caused by a failure to drive properly, probably because you were under the influence of alcohol. If you try and represent it as anything else you'll be shown the door for sure.

I completely agree! Thank you for this!

I often think that had I not been in this accident and made it home that night it's possible that I would have done the same thing in the future and possibly hurt or killed others or myself... It really frightened me then and it still does today... so I am trying to make the best out of my situation and take it as a wake-up call of sorts.

[Nole795]

Unfortunately you learned your lesson a little too late. I think your chances of ever working in a Law Enforcement Profession is minimal at best. Your too much of a liability to a department. A PD already took a chance with you and you blew it...miserably.

You are doing the right thing though, get a degree, and start a new life, though you should look into another career path.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Loving44,

Just to put things into perspective - I'm also 22 years old, graduating in May with a BS in Crim Justice and Sociology, heavily involved on campus and with volunteer work, steady jobs, never used drugs or alcohol period, no arrests, good references including one from my internship with a Sheriffs Office, and a reserve officer with a local Police department.

I have not yet even made it on to an eligibility list...

However, I wish you the best of luck. We all learn lessons, some learn them the hard way. If anything, this should make you stronger.

[Loving44]

Unfortunately you learned your lesson a little too late. I think your chances of ever working in a Law Enforcement Profession is minimal at best. Your too much of a liability to a department. A PD already took a chance with you and you blew it...miserably.

You are doing the right thing though, get a degree, and start a new life, though you should look into another career path.

I just feel really unsure of what I'm supposed to do... I'm a handful of classes away from my BS in Criminal Justice... and working in the CJ field is what I want for my life. It would be more than a job for me, I believe in the work.

If it's going to be this hard to get hired at the municipal level... what about probation or parole? I hear stories all the time about hardcore gangsters becoming police officers... but it may be just a few random cases hyped up...

I feel like I have really pigeon-holed myself with a Criminal Justice BS!