Will this keep me from becoming a cop???

[smiley05]

When I was 15, I was involved in a situation where my high school though I e-mailed in a bomb threat. I did not e-mail the bomb threat, and I thought that my computer had been hacked into. My computer was sent off to the lab, and they said that the e-mail definitely came from my computer, but that they couldn't see any evidence of a hacker. My lawyer got me a deal where if I pleaded no contest to "Giving False Info to a Police Officer," that I could get my computer back and do community service. So that's what I did.

The investigating officer was very impolite and unprofessional, and had told my lawyer that I didn't think something was right with him. A few months later, the officer went to prison for trying to set up a meeting with a teenage girl over the internet. So that shows you his credibility.

I was a Police Explorer at the time that this was going on, and the dept. let me stay because they didn't think I did it. My question now is, how much of an effect do you think this on my record will have on me getting a job as a cop in the future??? Supposidely when I completed community service it was taken off of my record, but I think there has to be something of it still there. Will this be on my permanent record since I was a juvenile at the time, or how does that work??? Thanks!

[MetPC]

They can look into anytime you've been arrested and the results of it. I doubt many PD's will give you a look in with a conviction for "Giving false information", especially given the context of it, unless there are many many years and many good things between the conviction and your application and even then I can't see it happening.

[phantasm]

Wow. this is a new one.

Tell the truth. The fact that you were an explorer, and that continued should help. It is not on a record that anyone OTHER THAN A POLICE AGENCY can get, but the record still does exist to POLICE AGENCY's. If you fail to disclose it, you will be DQed.

[smiley05]

Well I want to work for the department I was an Explorer at during this. The Chief said he knew that I didn't do it, and that he knew I didn't really give false info, so I could stay. I did a lot of respectable work for the department, and many of the officers and Explorer Post Advisors have come to me and said that they respect me for sticking with the department in spite of rumors and everything. I have a perfect record except for this incident, and I feel that at this particular department, I should have a fair chance. The Chief really seemed to enjoy my involvement with his department, and praised me often for my work. Does that change either one of your answers knowing that the Chief and most of the officers know that I didn't give false info??? If I ever wanted to get on with a different department, would the fact that I passed a polygraph saying that I didn't give falso info prove enough to them that I didn't do it?

[smiley05]

Oops... forgot to include this with my last post:

NetPC: I was never arrested. Does that make any difference in your opinion?

[smiley05]

Forgot to include this stuff in my last post:

NetPc: I was never arrested. Does that make any difference in your opinon?

I don't know if this is worth anything either, but my lawyer said that if they looked up my criminal record, it would be clean since I was underage when this incident occured, and since it was dismissed upon fulfillment of the community service assignment.

I'm really worried about this. Do you guys think it would be appropriate for me to ask the Chief what he thinks about my chances? I've been friends with him for about two years now, and he's always said if I ever have any questions to come and talk to him. Would that be appropriate or not?

[MetPC]

The Chief really seemed to enjoy my involvement with his department, and praised me often for my work. Does that change either one of your answers knowing that the Chief and most of the officers know that I didn't give false info??? If I ever wanted to get on with a different department, would the fact that I passed a polygraph saying that I didn't give falso info prove enough to them that I didn't do it?

It'd sure go a long way to help, particularly if you're applying at that Dept. I'm confused though, if you didn't do it why go for a plea bargain?

[smiley05]

It's a very very long story. One part had to do with lawyer fees. My family was going through a very tough time financially, and we really just needed to get the thing settled ASAP. My computer had already been at the lab for 4 or 5 months, and they weren't coming to any tangible conclusions.

It wasn't exactly a plea bargain because they didn't have enough to charge me in the first place. The whole giving false info was a random charge my lawyer worked out to get me my computer back. They had no proof I gave false info, nor any proof that I sent a bomb threat. It was a very long, painful, complicated situation to say the least. There were many other factors involved, but that's the short version of the story.

[Valor55]

It will be looked into and you will be polygraphed on it. If you are being honest about not doing it you won't have any trouble.

[phantasm]

I don't know if this is worth anything either, but my lawyer said that if they looked up my criminal record, it would be clean since I was underage when this incident occured, and since it was dismissed upon fulfillment of the community service assignment.

Let me REPEAT MYSELF. When a crime is commited as a juvenile, the crime is sealed to everyone EXCEPT FOR POLICE/LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN REGARDS TO BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR HIRING PURPOSES.

[Mike925]

My lawyer got me a deal where if I pleaded no contest to "Giving False Info to a Police Officer," that I could get my computer back and do community service. So that's what I did.

Forgot to include this stuff in my last post:

NetPc: I was never arrested. Does that make any difference in your opinon?

How could you have plead "No contest" if you weren't arrested and charged? You may have not been placed in handcuffs and driven to the jail but you were sentenced for a crime which means you were arrested. Like everyone else has already said, be honest, forth-coming, and humble. If your department feels the way you say they do then you should be fine.

[smiley05]

I answered "No Contest" to the charge in court. I was never arrested... being charged and being arrested are two different things. Thanks for your advice!

[Valor55]

I answered "No Contest" to the charge in court. I was never arrested... being charged and being arrested are two different things. Thanks for your advice!

Actually they are the same thing. A charge is an arrest even if you aren't put in handcuffs. So how about you not telling us about the law we deal with every day and have far more knowledge and experience with than you?

[mxwelch]

Actually they are the same thing. A charge is an arrest even if you aren't put in handcuffs. So how about you not telling us about the law we deal with every day and have far more knowledge and experience with than you?

But Valor, it's an explorer.:rolleyes:

[Mike925]

I answered "No Contest" to the charge in court. I was never arrested... being charged and being arrested are two different things. Thanks for your advice!

No, thank you for yours. I am being tested on criminal law, arrest laws, and the like in the academy and I had no idea there was a difference:rolleyes: .