Police Hiring Standards and Background Concerns

[coppers1]

I wanted to see if anyone may be able to give guidance, based on your own opinion, if it’s suitable for me to attempt the hiring process.

Here are some key items about me:

- 34 years old
- GED Graduate
- No College Degrees
- State Licensed Banking professional for 6 years
- 1 misdemeanor theft conviction 13 years ago – Fraud use of credit card (1997)
- Tried marijuana 1 time in high school
- Married 14 Years with 3 Children

I’m just asking on a personal opinion level if you think I would be spinning my wheels attempting this. I would love to start a career in law enforcement and it would be greatly appreciated or any advice you can give.

[Kimble]

A lot has to do with what other applicants applying to the same agency(ies) bring to the table, so it's hard to answer your question with any real certainty. You just have to apply if you meet the minimum quals and see how you do.

Regardless of how anyone here see's your qualifications, no one ever gets hired without putting their first foot forward and submitting an application.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I wanted to see if anyone may be able to give guidance, based on your own opinion, if it’s suitable for me to attempt the hiring process.

Here are some key items about me:

- 34 years old
- GED Graduate
- No College Degrees
- State Licensed Banking professional for 6 years
- 1 misdemeanor theft conviction 13 years ago – Fraud use of credit card (1997)
- Tried marijuana 1 time in high school
- Married 14 Years with 3 Children

I’m just asking on a personal opinion level if you think I would be spinning my wheels attempting this. I would love to start a career in law enforcement and it would be greatly appreciated or any advice you can give.

All of your bullets are either neutrals or negatives. The biggest hurdle out of what you've listed would be the conviction. At 21, you were an adult and fully aware of what you were doing. That it was 13 years ago helps, but doesn't mitigate completely.

As Kimble stated, nobody here is going to be able to look at the scant info you posted here, and say, "Sure, you could get hired." There's just too many variables.

What have you done to make yourself stand out as a candidate?

[coppers1]

I agree. That conviction is my thorn that will stick with me forever, regretfully. However, I hope the following may be able to demonstrate that I am a suitable prospect:

- I have conducted and passed FBI Background checks with the State and Feds to conduct business in finance

- My current career record should show that I have itegrity to deal with financial matters, which hopefully shows that the misdemeanor for the Fraud use of Credit Card was a "once in a lifetime" bad decision.

- I may be able to offset the past by performing exceptionally well on all other test areas.


Would you like to give me any valuable pointers that can help me?

Thanks

[GoDirectly2Jail]

As a juvenile or adult, have you ever used any other drugs than what you've disclosed?

What is your driving record? Tickets, suspensions, etc. What and when?

What is your credit history? Any liens, judgments or bankruptcies? When?

Have you or any member of your family been a member of a subversive organization?

Have you ever been arrested or detained by the police for any reason?

Military service? What and when? Any adjudications during such? Type of discharge?

Do you now or have you ever associated with others with criminal records?

[Kimble]

- I have conducted and passed FBI Background checks with the State and Feds to conduct business in finance

Not trying to be rude, but while this may have impressed coworkers around the water cooler who've had little or no exposure to law enforcement (outside of an occasional traffic stop) or the FBI, it's meaningless to gaining a career in law enforcement.

As I said before, the best way to find out how competitive you are with a given agency is apply if you meet the minimum qualifications.

[coppers1]

GoDirect, here are your answers to question:

As a juvenile or adult, have you ever used any other drugs than what you've disclosed?
- No, just MJ one time in high school.

What is your driving record? Tickets, suspensions, etc. What and when?
- Last ticket I can remember getting was back in 2002 for speeding. I had maybe 2-3 speeding tickets in the 1990's.

What is your credit history? Any liens, judgments or bankruptcies? When?
- No liens, BK's or Judgements. Just medical collections (no insurance) for my wifes medical needs. None for me.

Have you or any member of your family been a member of a subversive organization?
- NO

Have you ever been arrested or detained by the police for any reason?
- Yes. I was arrested for the illegal credit card use.

Military service? What and when? Any adjudications during such? Type of discharge?
- NO military.

Do you now or have you ever associated with others with criminal records?
- NO

Hope this helps!

Kimble, I will try and apply. I was just wondering if i'm OK with the minimums.

[terminal.logic]

Having college or military is a huge deal these days and alot of successful applicants have both. A GED without any college is a no-go in some places. I would advise you to start some form of higher education. College doesn't make you a good cop but it does make you look better on paper.