LAPD/Airport Police Background check

[merlinx]

Hi All, I am thinking of applying for the Airport Police or LAPD but Im worried about my criminal record as a juvinile. Im am 35, have a masters degree and work as a teacher and have been clean for a while now; but as a teenager I hung out with the wrong crowd. Before the age of 18 I have a misdemeanor riding in a stolen car (without my knowledge), breaking and entering that was charged as a felony (the house was vacant and I didnt know any better), and taking a bb gun to school in 9th grade. I have also tried cocain in the past but this was all about 18 years ago. Im wondering if I should admit any of this stuff or not and what are the chanced that they will hire me. Any help is appriciated thanx

[MisterK]

breaking and entering that was charged as a felony (the house was vacant and I didnt know any better),

Strike 1 - Yes, you did know better.

I have also tried cocain in the past

Strike 2 - Auto DQ in many many departments

Im wondering if I should admit any of this stuff or not

Strike 3 - You're out - If you don't know then you shouldn't apply.

[Unit19]

Have to say it does not look good. Would probably look to other careers or stick with the one you have now. I sure know I wouldn't want you backing me up on the streets if you are contemplating whether you should be honest or try to sneak it by them.

You will find this career option is EXTREMELY competitive. Usually hundreds of applicants to every one opening. You would need to tell the whole truth through the process and even if you didn't get DQ'd you would be way way down the list.

Good luck in your endeavor and don't forget to put the tack in your shoe!!!!

[MP_Steve]

I won't say that you are completely DQ'd just yet, but you may not have a very good chance. I know one guy who tried drugs, admitted it during the poly, and went on to become a Police Sergeant. You are 35, some agencies have hiring caps at 37 or 38 unless you have military experience. The Maine State Police has an auto-DQ for any felony conviction, juvy or adult. I assume this is true for most law enforcement agencies.

You have things working for you aswell, although they may be minimized by your criminal history. You have a great deal of life experience, and you have your education. If you are a teacher in a public school in LA, you may be given hiring preference (that is if you even are eligible for hire) because you already work in the city's system.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again... Look at who has been posting to your question, including me... Not one of us works as a Police Officer for a law enforcement agency. Don't do it now, but your questions may be better answered by posting in Ask-A-Cop.

I am in the Military Police... our enlistment cap is 37, and yes you are DQ'd due to your past. Next.....