What are my chances?

[drevel]

Hello,

I have always been interested in Law Enforcement as a career but never made the jump to actually apply to any departments. While I was thinking about pursuing this career I got into some trouble which I am very disgraced about. I hope that I will be able to become a LEO because I have a great desire to help people and want to be part of a great brotherhood. I feel that our country is the greatest nation in the world. I want to be a person that will represent the LE community with honor and help honest & hard working people in this country. I want to be a person that my kids will be proud of. When I have some

I guess I will some up my negatives & positives & then the forum can decide. Thank you.

PERSONAL INFO:

1. Male
2. 32 years old
3. Married (2 1/2 years)
4. Height: 6 feet
5. Weight: 220 Lbs.


NEGATIVES:

1997 - Speeding Ticket (VA) - My roommate & I drove 2 1/2 hours to pick up to stranded friends in West Virginia. While driving back I was pulled over for speeding.

01/2001 - D.U.I./Undafe Operation of Motor Vehicle(NJ) - Very regrettable now & then, a stupid mistake. I was ticketed for the DUI & Reckless Driving on the same night.

04/2001 - Driving on a Suspended License (NJ) - While having my D.L. suspended I worked at a job that required you to drive. Again I was stupid & drove when I should not have & an old person slammed into my work car. I actually walked to the Police station which was 1 block away & told them I was in an accident. They were surprised that I did this since I was on a suspended License.

So that is my negative history, very bad I know. Pretty much the beginning of 2001 was horrible for me. I grew up after that and realized that I could not live my life in this manner.

POSITIVES:

1. Graduated H.S. from private school in New jersey.
2. College Degree - B.S. in Psychology. [While in college I was also a teacher's assistant/tutor].
3. Never convicted on any felonies, misdemeanor, never arrested, cuffed nothing.
4. Since my troubles in 2001 I have not been in any trouble [no tickets. Nothing] [6 years a model citizen]
5. Have been at the same job for 6 years [A great work history with supervisors who can vouch for me].
6. I work in the finance industry with people IRA's & Stocks so security is a number 1 priority. I have already been finger printed by the F.B.I. and am clean.
7. Decent credit. No outstanding debt. [2 credit cards with $1000.00 owed on it - it was the holidays]. I have a student loan but that is always paid on time as well.
8. Never tried any type of Narcotic (no marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, acid). Nothing. I was always to scared to try sine I seen what it can do to people from videos/TV.
9. Tried a cigarette once. Yes 1 time about 3 years ago. It sucked.
10. Drink alcohol now about once a month at the most, if that. My days of partying are long over. Usually when I go out to dinner with friends I may have a Coors Light.
11. Computer literate with a extensive knowledge of programs and applications.
12. Ability to speak Spanish at a high level.
13. An honest person who is willing to point out there mistakes and own up to them.
14. Married to a beautiful woman

I am interested in joing the NYPD (I have the exam in Feb. 2007) and Customs & Border Protection Officer (Feb 2nd 2007 Written exam) I am also looking into relocating outside the NYC/NJ area. Vegas, TX, or Southern CA. Taking it step by step.

[Darin]

You have an uphill battle. Odds aren't good.

[Roger Dat]

Your probably not dead in the water but the DUI and other driving related incidents are going to be HUGE hurdles considering the time spent behind the wheel as a patrolmen. Just my opinion but it doesnt look good.

[drevel]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I thought it didnt look good I guess this verifies it. Not sure if I should even continue looking into this as a career. Does anyone think that starting off as a C.O. would give me a better chance of getting my foot in the door?

Again that you for the quick responses.

[mikecrazy]

I don't see starting off as a C.O. helping your situation. My advice would be to give it a shot. You'll never know unless you try. Depending on where you live, becoming a C.O. can often be more difficult than becoming a P.O. because of demand.

Here in NYC, C.O. is a very sort after job, where as P.O., and I won't say will take "anyone", but they may tend to be a little more lenient. Depends on where you live I guess.

[drevel]

Thanks mikecrazy. I am looking toward the NYPD right now so I am just looking to see what the forum thinks. Again I hope that 6 years of good honest living can make up for the 3 mnths of stupidity on my part. Again what I did was wrong so I cannot justify any of it. Thank you.

[Mike Romeo]

NEGATIVES:

1997 - Speeding Ticket (VA) - My roommate & I drove 2 1/2 hours to pick up to stranded friends in West Virginia. While driving back I was pulled over for speeding.

01/2001 - D.U.I./Reckless Driving (NJ) - Very regrettable now & then, a stupid mistake. I was ticketed for the DUI & Reckless Driving on the same night.

04/2001 - Driving on a Suspended License (NJ) - While having my D.L. suspended I worked at a job that required you to drive. Again I was stupid & drove when I should not have & an old person slammed into my work car. I actually walked to the Police station which was 1 block away & told them I was in an accident. They were surprised that I did this since I was on a suspended License.

When it comes to getting into this profession, it's literally GO or NO GO when it comes to a person's background and what an investigator finds, among other things like a written test, physical agility, physical, psychological, and so on. And the good doesn't always outweigh the bad.

You would have to put at least five years between the DUI and getting hired by my department. However, you also have a driving suspended as well, another jailable offense. Both the DUI and driving suspended are Class 1 misdemeanors. However, they are not criminal misdemeanors! If you have decided to go forth and sin no more (regarding your driving record), you may stand a chance with time. You already have five years on the clock. Although your chances aren't favorable at present, I don't think you're necessarily a non-consider.

Of course, this is my department and not the one you may want to apply to:
Applicants must never have been convicted of a felony or any Class I or Class II criminal misdemeanor (misdemeanors that could require jail sentence), or equivalent offense for non-Virginia laws.

[mikecrazy]

Thanks mikecrazy. I am looking toward the NYPD right now so I am just looking to see what the forum thinks. Again I hope that 6 years of good honest living can make up for the 3 mnths of stupidity on my part. Again what I did was wrong so I cannot justify any of it. Thank you.

You may not be able to justify it, but a lot of people make mistakes and admitting it is a huge plus. The test is free, so it won't hurt you financially to take it. Take it, and when it comes to character investigation spill your guts. As Mike Romeo stated, you may not be the 100% ideal candidate, but you aren't necessarily a no-go either.

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

Since you love your country so much, why not join the military?

[North Patrol]

With us the DUI and the DUS combined would DQ you.