Apr 292010
OK, so you think you want to be a police officer.
Do you really think you can do the job? Trust me, law enforcement as a career is not for everyone, and everyone that starts out in law enforcement does not make it to retirement. This job is hard on some people, some make it, some don’t, and it’s just the nature of the beast.
Chris Wagoner (Academy Commander)
Wow. I amazed with how helpful this article has been. With that been said a lil about me I am 22 years old and recently graduated the Miami dade north campus school of justice police academy. I have been trying to get hired as a police officer since october of 2010 I have to say that it’s very difficult to get hired if you don’t have Any prior law enforcement experience, military or college. I wish I would have read this article before putting myself through the academy I would have done a few things differently, like for starters gotten a college degree. Now if it isn’t as difficult as is is getting hired with none of the listed qualifications j just made it even harder if not impossible to get hired, let me explain a little more on my current dilemma. Exactly 2 days ago I was pulled over by police officer, of which I won’t say the county of for going 15 mph over the speed limit. Now wait just a minute before you jump to any conclusions about how irresponsible I am. On the contrary, I recently had gotten out of the hospital where my sister had just given birth so needless to say I was full of excitement and on top of that I was running late to my job at the Miami dade state attorneys office due to my new born niece just being born no more than an hour from the time the officer pulled me over. I even had the hospital sticker on my shirt when i tried to explain my situation and that I was trying to become a police officer he didn’t even acknowledge what I was telling him. To top it all of I had recently applied for the department that the officer issuing the citation Worked for. I begged him not to give me the citation because I knew and worst off HE knew that by him giving me that ticket It would scar me and cut my chances of getting hired. What should I do I am against the wall I don’t know if any agency is even going to consider anyone with a recent moving violation. PLEASE reply to this comment with your honest opinion on my situation. Thank you for your time.
Manny,
I hope you get other responses to this but my opinion is that one ticket won’t keep you from getting the job. During your next contact with the agency tell them about the ticket. You don’t want to hide it b/c once the background is done they could find it and at that point they might think you were trying to hide it if you didn’t tell them.
Please comment back on your hiring process as it moves forward.
Tom
Sorry for all the typos on my recently posted comment. I am posting this from a touch screen phone and it is a little difficult. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you Tom for your comment and support I feel a little better about my situation. I will gladly keep you posted on my hiring process. And for any one alse reading this please feel free to comment I would gladly appreciate it.