A single instance of theft at age 16

[Ignite]

Hello!

I've been aspiring towards a police officer job, since the age of 17, and I am now 24 y/o. I did 4 years in the Marines and am now going to school.

I'm not going to go into a long, drawn out history of myself to beg the question "am I suitable for this job". I don't have a history of drug use, no criminal history (documented at least, you'll see in a second), a good employment and driving record, and good credit. One thing in particular comes to mind when it comes to the polygraph, or any form requesting past transgressions. When I was 16, I stole a CD (compact disc) from a small record store. Put it in my jacket and walked out. That was the only time I've done something like that. How big of a frown does a case of theft put on the face of a hiring team?

[retdetsgt]

Tell them about it and I doubt it will be much of a factor. Thanks for your service.

[Citicop]

Be honest. It is not a DQ.

Lots of people made bad choices as kids and teens. Provided there's no pattern (or a single choice so bad there's no coming back) you should be fine given your choices since then.

Thanks for your service.

-Citicop.

[Ignite]

Cool, thanks guys.

[pac201]

Agree with my colleagues.

Thanks for your service.

[marinepilot]

Agree with my colleagues.

Thanks for your service.

Agree with pac201 agreeing with our colleagues.

And agreeing also to Thank you for your service!

Semper Fi!

[Ignite]

Thanks again

Semper Fi.

[Sierra]

Did you ever make amends to the store?

[Kimble]

Marine,

As everyone said above, disclose this info and don't lose any sleep over it. I've worked for 3 departments and when I was a juvenile got involved in some delinquency that I was forthcoming about each time I applied and it never was a big issue. You don't have to be an angel to be a cop, but you do have to be honest and mature (and 16 for you was almost a decade ago, people change a lot in 10 years).

Four years of honorable service in the military and current responsible living is more than enough to overcome this past transgression, good luck!