Background question for military guy

[Ranger33]

I am looking to get some opinions and thoughts on my chances for getting hired in local or Fed LE. First my background issues. DUI 11 years ago when I was 18, Petty Misdermeanor Disorderly 10 years ago and finally A Expunged Disorderly 7 years ago. So, my main question is will what I have done since than help or increase my chances of getting hired. U.S Army Ranger 7 years, tour in Iraq recieving outstanding evaluations and Medals for actions taken under fire. Worked for a Police Department in a non-sworn position that included patrol and work with the public.This position included Background check and Pshycological test. Recieving very good evaluations there. Currently Still in the Guard in A leadership position finishing my degree in Law Enforcement. Any Thoughts on my chances or what I could do to improve them would be greatly appreciated. Trying to decide if I have a chance or should head back to Active Duty. Thanks

[Valor55]

The DUI and other legal problems will be a severe hindrance. If it doesn't automatically disqualify you it will make it hard for you to compete.

Unfortunately for you many of our new hires are Iraqi vets and they don't have the criminal convictions.

I would recommend discussing it with a recruiter and see whether they think it is worth your time to apply. Some may tell you to try and that's all you can do is try.

[Ranger33]

...

[Bearcat06]

On the same note of what Valor said. I am a former Army MP and I had friends that had stuff on their backgrounds from stuff they did before they were in service.....and they had problems getting hired.

Not wanting to discourage you.....but you might look at some smaller agencies to get your foot in the door....get some experience....and then look for a bigger one to settle down with.....

Good luck.

[Ranger33]

I appreciate the comments. I guess I will keep plugging away at apps. I am yet to be formaly turned down by any one I have applied for and am waiting on some backgrounds. Either way I will have tried and the Spec op world will always be there for me to go back to. Thanks again..

RLTW

[Ranger33]

A quick follow up question. Is there any type of time limit one could look at for having things in your background. I.E. if your last offense was 10 years ago, does that start to be a push in your favor. Also what else can someone do that has a shaky background to prove that they have matured and moved on. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Valor55]

A quick follow up question. Is there any type of time limit one could look at for having things in your background. I.E. if your last offense was 10 years ago, does that start to be a push in your favor. Also what else can someone do that has a shaky background to prove that they have matured and moved on. Thanks in advance for any help.

The more time the better. However you will be competing against people with nothing like that in their past. It will still be difficult.

[Ranger33]

Valor, thanks for the responses.If you dont mind me asking, what area of the country are you a LEO in? Do you have any military Experiance? Just Courious to see the opinions from diffrent areas and backgrounds. Thanks again.

RLTW

[mikeyd2006399]

Checkout the thread that I started "Rather leanient requirements", maybe that would be a department you could be competitve in.

[Bearcat06]

A quick follow up question. Is there any type of time limit one could look at for having things in your background. I.E. if your last offense was 10 years ago, does that start to be a push in your favor. Also what else can someone do that has a shaky background to prove that they have matured and moved on. Thanks in advance for any help.

I have two buddies that work as LEOs and both of them have DUIs from 10-15years ago and it took them forever to get hired.....

They started at smaller PDs....did their time (2-3 years) so they could show that they could cut it as LEOs and not get in trouble......and now they both work for decent sized suburb PDs around the Kansas City Missouri area...

So, it can be done....but you will have you work cut out for you.

[sgtbear111]

You might consult an attorney regarding having the old records expunged. But, these things still occurred, and will be there in memory (ref polygraph exam), if not in a formal record. Good advice provided by other officers here.
Good luck.

[Ranger33]

Thanks for the comments and advise everyone. I have looked into expungement of my records. I had the most resent disorderly expunged already. The DUI is very expensive to get done. Will this be worthwhile enough to have done. We are talking a couple of thousand dollars. I would do it if it was going to really help in the process, just dont want to lay down the cash and have it not be worth while for me. If anybody knows how that would work please let me know. Thanks again for everyones comments.

RLTW

[Valor55]

Thanks for the comments and advise everyone. I have looked into expungement of my records. I had the most resent disorderly expunged already. The DUI is very expensive to get done. Will this be worthwhile enough to have done. We are talking a couple of thousand dollars. I would do it if it was going to really help in the process, just dont want to lay down the cash and have it not be worth while for me. If anybody knows how that would work please let me know. Thanks again for everyones comments.

RLTW

It's hard to say it won't be worth it.

Part of the issue is that agencies are usually self insured or insured by another company. Your driving record can affect their rates if they are insured or underwritten by someone else. In that sense the expungement would help.

However, you did what you did and it will come up in the investigation. You have to reveal it and it will count against you. It may be impossible to get hired at which point the expungement was an expensive waste.

But it might not be impossible. None of us can say for sure. Like Bearcat said you can try and you might succeed. You really need to discuss this with the recruiters of agencies you are interested in. They will tell you whether it is even worth applying and you can ask them if the expungement would help you.