Will my background disqualify me from the Florida Highway Patrol?

[JHSD1975]

Hello, I am planning on applying to become a State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol next spring. I have already spoken to an FHP recruitment officer and he told me that the FHP will most likely still be actively recruiting and hiring new State Troopers throughout 2009. My question is will the FHP or any other law enforcement agency accept me with my background? I know my background is not perfect (I don’t think any person’s is.) but I also do not think it is terrible. I was hoping some verified LEO’s can give me their opinions on my background and my chances of becoming a LEO. I think it is great that I found a place where I can get opinions from and ask advice from people who have already been through what I am going to go through in trying to become a police officer. Any opinions (negative or positive) and advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Criminal Record:

-I have never been arrested or detained by the police.

-I have never had a police complaint filed against me.

-I have never been the subject of a police investigation.

-I have never been questioned by police as a suspect in relation to the commission of a crime.

-I have never used any type of illegal drug. I do not ever consume alcohol of any kind.

Driving Record:

-In the spring of 2003 when I was 17 I received a speeding ticket for going 58 in a 30. I went to court for it and it was lowered to a lesser charge (I cannot remember exactly to what, I believe it was a broken speedometer.)

-In September of 2003 when I was 17 I was involved in an automobile collision. Both cars were totaled and the driver of the other vehicle sustained personal injury. The police were involved, but I was not issued any citation. I was found at fault.

-In the summer of 2004 when I was 18 I was involved in an automobile collision. There was cosmetic damage to the other driver’s vehicle, none to mine. The police were not involved. I was found at fault.

- During the fall of 2004 when I was 18 I received a ticket for a broken brake light. The next day I had the light fixed and brought it to my local police department to have it inspected by a police officer. The ticket was dismissed.

-About one month later the same brake light shorted out again and I received another ticket for it. I had it fixed the next day and took it to my local PD to have it inspected by a PO. The ticket was dismissed.

-In January of 2005 when I was 19 I was involved in an automobile collision. I struck a car that ran a red light. There was cosmetic damage to my car. The other driver’s car had to be towed. The police were involved. I was not found at fault.

-In January of 2006 when I was 20 I was involved in an automobile collision. I hit a patch of black ice while slowing down and slid into oncoming traffic and brushed up the side of an oncoming car. There was cosmetic damage to both cars. The police were involved and I was issued a ticket for failing to yield the right of way. I went to court and was given a six month ACD. The six months came and went and the ticket was dismissed. I was found at fault for the accident.

-I have not been involved in any automobile collisions and have not been issued any traffic citations since then.

Education:

-While I was in high school I was written up a few times for being late to class, skipping class and being disruptive in class. I was suspended once for two days for fighting another student. These were not chronic problems by any means. Over all I was a good student. I graduated with a high school diploma.

-During my freshman year of college I was on academic probation because my GPA fell under a 2.0. I constantly skipped class which led me to fail almost all of them. During my sophomore year I turned things around and changed my major from Physical Therapy to Criminal Justice. I graduated with an AAS degree in Criminal Justice-Police Science. I was on the Dean’s List (I had above a 3.0 GPA) when I graduated.

Employment:

-During the spring and summers during high school and during part of my first semester in college I worked part time at a mini golf/batting cage amusement center. When the place closed down for the last season I worked there, I left on good terms with the owner.

-During the winter of my senior year of high school I worked part time at a supermarket. When I was there I was written up once for not being productive. When I resigned to return to my summer job I did not give ample notice. I was placed on a “Do Not Re-Hire List”.

- During my first semester of college when I was 18 I was re-hired part time by the same supermarket I had worked at previously despite being on the Do Not Re-Hire List. I was written up a few times for being non-productive, being late and leaving early without permission. I worked there for two years and when I left I gave two weeks notice and was on good terms with my manager. She knew I was trying to work towards a career in law enforcement and told me I can use her as a good reference any time.

-In October of 2006 when I was 20 I obtained my state security guard license and began working as a part time Loss Prevention Officer at a department store at my local mall while I was finishing up college, I received one corrective action for failure to follow company policy because I made a bad stop (Those of you who have done LP know what I am talking about.). I worked there for one year until I graduated college. When I left for a full time job I gave two weeks notice and was on good terms with everyone there (The even threw me a going away party.)

-In October of 2007 when I was 21 I began working as a full time Loss Prevention Agent at a specialty retailer. I was given one verbal warning and one written warning for being late to work. I worked there for eight months and then resigned to work for another company that paid a higher salary and had a better chance for advancement. When I resigned I gave a two week notice of resignation.

-In June of 2008 I was hired as a full time Loss Prevention Investigator by a luxury department store chain. I have been working there since then without any issues and my manager has told me that he is interested in promoting me to Assistant Loss Prevention Manager.

-I have never been terminated from employment by any of my previous employers, asked to resign by any of my previous employers or resigned to avoid termination from any of my previous employers.

Well, that is the most prevalent things I can think of to list. I thank any of you that take the time to read this and respond. Like I said, I know my record is not perfect, but I still think I have a good chance of becoming a LEO. I think that the fact that by the time I apply I will have had no traffic issues for about three years and three months (Assuming I do not have any more issues.) will prove I have matured as a driver, the fact I graduated from college on the Dean's List with an AAS degree will prove I have matured as a student and if everything works out with my current employer it will prove that I have matured as an employee.

[DeltaV]

Three at-fault accidents within the past five years are going to really hurt your chances of being hired. When you consider that your average day is mostly spent driving and you can easily put 100-200+ miles on your car, hiring people with questionable driving histories doesn't make a lot of sense. I know we would not hire someone who had three at-fault crashes within five years, but I cannot speak for FHP.

I know that FHP is having problems attracting and retaining qualified applicants, but being a state agency they still get a large volume of applications.

[JHSD1975]

Thanks for your reply. I know my driving record is bad and that it will probabaly be my biggest hurdle. I will probabaly wait until the summer to apply, by that time I will have had three and a half years without an incident and by that time it will only be one at fault accident within the past five years. At least it is something that with the more time that goes by, it will become less of an issue.

I know that FHP is having problems attracting and retaining qualified applicants, but being a state agency they still get a large volume of applications.

This is one of the reasons I am applying there. I know I have more of a chance getting hired by a larger agency that is in need of applicants as opposed to an agency that has many applicants and few positions to fill. Regardless, I would love the chance to work for the FHP.

[JHSD1975]

I e-mailed a recruitment officer from the FHP and asked if it would be possible to provide me with a list of state trooper applicant disqualifiers. The officer responded and told me to e-mail the possible issues I have with my background to him and that he would tell me if they would disqualify me. I e-mailed him every possible issue with my background I could think of. The officer responded and told me that he recommended I follow through with the hiring process and see how it pans out. He said I should let the system disqualify me (if it will) and not to disqualify myself ahead of time. In light of this, I feel more confident about my chances of getting hired.

[Norm357]

Remind me never to lend you my car.

[Roger Dat]

Not trying to burst your bubble but just because you meet the minimum requirements to continue in the process doesnt mean you will get hired. The trooper or whomever you spoke with is correct that if you really want to do this job you should continue the process just proceed with caution as you will be up against candidates equally qualified who dont have a history of crashing cars.

Remember alot of this job is spent behind the wheel in most jurisdictions and driving in somewhat stressful situations at times. Your track record leaves a bit to be desired. Good luck to you but as I stated above, just because someone on the other end of the telephone told you to continue the process doesnt mean your driving record wont continue to hurt you throughout the process.

[JHSD1975]

Not trying to burst your bubble but just because you meet the minimum requirements to continue in the process doesnt mean you will get hired. The trooper or whomever you spoke with is correct that if you really want to do this job you should continue the process just proceed with caution as you will be up against candidates equally qualified who dont have a history of crashing cars.

Remember alot of this job is spent behind the wheel in most jurisdictions and driving in somewhat stressful situations at times. Your track record leaves a bit to be desired. Good luck to you but as I stated above, just because someone on the other end of the telephone told you to continue the process doesnt mean your driving record wont continue to hurt you throughout the process.

Thanks for your reply. I totally understand what you are saying and I agree with you. I know that my driving record will be a big hurdle for me. I am just happy that it is something that with the more time that goes by without incident, it will become less and less of an issue. Luckily I have nothing in my background that would DQ me indefinetly like an arrest, drug usage or being terminated from employment for theft or something along those lines.

[Norm357]

May I suggest a stint in the Military.

[JHSD1975]

May I suggest a stint in the Military.

I have actually been considering enlisting in the Coast Guard because they perform law enforcement functions.

[Norm357]

I have actually been considering enlisting in the Coast Guard because they perform law enforcement functions.

The Coast Guard would be a fine choice and would allow you to put some time between you and your traffic offenses.

ETA:
Be aware, the CG does not have a Law Enforcement rating, so do not go into it thinking you will be a cop, cause you won't. Just a heads up.

[vacop4274]

I would only ask that, if you do go into the Coast Guard that you do not navigate the boat!!!!!!:eek: Seriously, good luck!!!!:D

[seeking]

Haha, but if they can teach him to navigate the boat, he shouldn't have as much trouble with the cars

[H.R. Cufnstuf]

The Coast Guard would be a fine choice and would allow you to put some time between you and your traffic offenses.

ETA:
Be aware, the CG does not have a Law Enforcement rating, so do not go into it thinking you will be a cop, cause you won't. Just a heads up.

Actually, I was just reading a message that they're starting a "ME" (Maritime Enforcement) rating.

[Norm357]

Actually, I was just reading a message that they're starting a "ME" (Maritime Enforcement) rating.

No kiddin? It's about time!