Worried about being DQ'd for past mistakes

[drbne313]

The main goal I have in life is to be a Detroit Police Officer. I've had this goal since I was atleast able to know what a cop was. Growing up ive been in plenty of trouble. I've been suspended plenty of times in middle school and high school. 90% of the time for cussing or talking back to the teacher. I smoked marijuana in 8th grade, and once more in 10th grade, then realized how much I hated it. When i was 16 i was arrested for minor consuming alcohol, paid fine, no probation. When i was 18 I was arrested for larceny from auto. Alcohol was involved. I completed 6 months probation and the charge was dismissed under the First Offenders Act. Have not been in any trouble what so ever since. I currently do not drink. I dropped out of high school and got my GED. Ive had a job since i was 14 years old. Right now im 20, I've matured quite a bit, christianity plays a big part in my life now, although ive known right from wrong my whole life, I now have a much clearer, defined distinction. I am in my first year of community college with a CJ major, Im pursuing an Associates degree (which Detroit does not require) but I will be getting a bachelors degree from a university, although I plan on having a job in law enforcement before that. My question is, do I even have a chance at making it through a background investigation, and if not, is there anything else I could do "make up" for my past. This is the most important goal in my life, more passionate about this than anything, I will chase this dream until I run out of energy, and do whatever it takes. Thanks in advance.

[AmarulaCream]

The main goal I have in life is to be a Detroit Police Officer. I've had this goal since I was atleast able to know what a cop was. Growing up ive been in plenty of trouble. I've been suspended plenty of times in middle school and high school. 90% of the time for cussing or talking back to the teacher. I smoked marijuana in 8th grade, and once more in 10th grade, then realized how much I hated it. When i was 16 i was arrested for minor consuming alcohol, paid fine, no probation. When i was 18 I was arrested for larceny from auto. Alcohol was involved. I completed 6 months probation and the charge was dismissed under the First Offenders Act. Have not been in any trouble what so ever since. I currently do not drink. I dropped out of high school and got my GED. Ive had a job since i was 14 years old. Right now im 20, I've matured quite a bit, christianity plays a big part in my life now, although ive known right from wrong my whole life, I now have a much clearer, defined distinction. I am in my first year of community college with a CJ major, Im pursuing an Associates degree (which Detroit does not require) but I will be getting a bachelors degree from a university, although I plan on having a job in law enforcement before that. My question is, do I even have a chance at making it through a background investigation, and if not, is there anything else I could do "make up" for my past. This is the most important goal in my life, more passionate about this than anything, I will chase this dream until I run out of energy, and do whatever it takes. Thanks in advance.

You should be worried, because with that larceny at 18 you will be DQed for probably the next 5 years. I am glad to hear you do not drink, since you are 20, and that would make such activity illegal for you ;) My, and probably everyone else's advice will be: get a bachelors and keep your nose clean.

Something also tells me that just based on what you have disclosed, your background is a bit "thicker" than what you have alluded to thus far...

[mcsap]

They weren't mistakes. You KNEW exactly what you were doing.

But staying out of trouble , staying away from the crowd that can get you into trouble, a college degree and or military AND a few more years of age should make a reasonable candidate.


Your theft charge is STILL going to be on your criminal history so NEVER tell a prospective PD that you were never arrested. Same with your underage offenses.

[Question]

As a Detroit police offficer? You should be OK. :D

[AmarulaCream]

They weren't mistakes. You KNEW exactly what you were doing...

I prefer the term, a "miscarriage of judgment"... that sounds more dehumanized ;)

[txinvestigator1]

The main goal I have in life is to be a Detroit Police Officer. I've had this goal since I was atleast able to know what a cop was. Growing up ive been in plenty of trouble.

So your goal was to be a cop, but you were a delinquent anyway? I'd say your chances are slim to none.

[Citicop]

So your goal was to be a cop, but you were a delinquent anyway? I'd say your chances are slim to none.

+1

I love it when people come here and say, "My dream is to be a cop, but I have been arrested for theft, drank alcohol under age, used illegal drugs, and been in trouble at school... do I have a chance?"

Allow me to say this:

YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!!!

You may meet the minimum standards, but you will have an extremely difficult time getting hired; you are COMPETING against the other applicants for the open positions. How many of them do you think have better backgrounds than you, in addition to college, military service, prior law enforcement service, or some combination?

With enough time to show you have changed, you may get hired. I think you may be under 50%, but it COULD still happen.

-Citicop.

[drbne313]

thanks for the feedback, I figured I would have a tough road for this, but a couple things, as far as my background being thicker, there isnt anymore than what I've told you guys. Honest question though, are there or have you heard of any cops that didnt get in trouble as a kid? maybe not theft, but suspensions, or minor offenses?

[mcsap]

18 is a legal adult.

[MDEMT280]

18 is a legal adult.

And I'm pretty sure that most people start to get a pretty firm grip on the concepts of right/wrong, legal/illegal, moral/immoral some years before age 18.

[james w.]

The above officers hit the nail on the head. I find it very offensive when people throw words around such as, "I've always wanted to be a police officer", yet they have lived their lives in the manner reflective of a criminal. If one has been arrested for an offense, it is probably a safe bet that the same person has committed the same offense before (but wasn't caught).

Do Detroit (and every officer who has EARNED his badge) a favor: Find another career.

[Roger Dat]

[QUOTE=drbne313;886015]thanks for the feedback, I figured I would have a tough road for this, but a couple things, as far as my background being thicker, there isnt anymore than what I've told you guys. Honest question though, are there or have you heard of any cops that didnt get in trouble as a kid? maybe not theft, but suspensions, or minor offenses?[/QUOTE]

ME

[Question]

If Kilpatrick resigned as mayor, that would be a much bigger favor for Detroit, and perhaps yahoos like these actually wouldn't have a chance. :D

I'll stop the Detroit bashing now.