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Hello, I have a couple a questions about my background, and I was wondering if you could help me out. Im 21 years old and I wanted to get into the law enforcement career. I have a MJ charge when I was 18 and I got a DUI a few months ago (Trying to get it dropped to a reckless), but other then that I am fine.But I wanted to know before I signed up for college, if its even worth me goin into this career field? Or maybe even a fed job?
What was your blood alcohol level in the DUI?
Not sure that would matter, but if I were an investigator, I'd certainly want to know whether it was a "barely detectable level", or you blew over the legal adult limit.
Would probably depend on the department you are trying to get into. See if there is a recruitment section and what are the requirements and disqualifications.
Good luck!
I didnt blow. I wasent sure if it was a good or bad thing. I did all my tests pretty good on tape, so im trying to get it drop to maybe a reckless.
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Originally Posted by richeirich813
The refusal won't help your cause.
You for sure don't want to have a Class B or A misdemeanor on your record...
Is a Reckless a Class B or C? A DUI (minor) here is only a Class C, but DWI (adult) is Class B. It might vary in your state.
Different departments have different hiring criteria. Some (perhaps 'most') would not hire you with recent charges for even misdemeanors like Simple MJ or DWI/DUI. As said before, you really should check with the individual departments.
Suffice it to say that your's would be a very short career were you arrested again for any such violations once hired on, if a department gave you a chance. Law enforcement is a very perishable career.
Here's my 'background' question though:
Why law enforcement?
Ive always been interested in law enforcement/military growing up, but I never actually though of doing something like this. But Ive been thinking alot and I think it would make me change alot of things in my life, and help me grow into a better person. So I though I would give it a shot.
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Originally Posted by richeirich813
Let me assure you, law enforcement is not a job where the citizens or fellow officers can afford to have someone get hired because they want to change less than admirable things in there life.
Let me ask you this. Do you understand what is required of law enforcement officers, and what the job entails? Better yet, tell me what you think it does.
Your best bet at this point is the military, who will most likely waive a reckless.
Then, while in the service - DON'T FUCK UP - especially with alcohol.
THEN, when you get out, you might have a shot - with some departments.
A lot would depend on what state you are in. Also this is going to be a department decision. If you can't get the DUI reduced you are most likely going to be out of luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by richeirich813
Quote:
Originally Posted by richeirich813
Based off of this statement alone, I would agree with maclean. Hit the military first, don't screw up, then consider LE when you get out.
You're exempt for 5 years from obtaining a POST license in MN from the date you received your DWI. So, in MN you are ineligible.
Join the military and get a few legal trouble free years under your belt, then try again. I don't think you'd have much of a chance right now with a DWI test refusal, and a MJ charge only 3 yrs ago.
Even a reckless in the recent past will probably block your application with most PDs. The marijuana charge is also going to be a bit of an obstacle, though whether it'll block you or not will depend on how recent, how much you used IN ADDITION to being busted once (nobody gets popped on their first joint), and how much you've used since. Taking all of that into consideration, the marijuana is still going to be partly decided by agency policy.
I'd say you've probably got at least 3 to 4 years of clean living before you have a realistic chance of getting hired.
Looking at why you want to be a cop... I think you might need to think about what you're after. Being a cop WILL change who you are, how you react in life, what you do, even where you'll go and who you'll go there with. Probably more than almost any other career. There's a reason that most departments have some sort of psych eval as part of the application. If you're already screwed up -- in the wrong ways, 'cause we've gotta be screwy to do this job! -- it's not going to help. And becoming a cop isn't going to make you a better person or more law abiding. The changes I mentioned won't change your basic personality -- just how you express being you.
I agree, this is probably the best route to go. Since you still have an active case with the DUI, maybe you can work out a deal, plea it down to a violation, pay the fine and serve your country. After that, you can still pursue a career in law enforcement.Quote:
Originally Posted by maclean
No one asked yet, but how much MJ were you arrested for? Paraphernalia, a gram, pound, etc. Also what was the conviction for?Quote:
Originally Posted by richeirich813
You would have a VERY difficult time being hired by my department, even if the marijuana and DWI charges are reduced in court. The background investigator will focus on your actual conduct than what you accepted a plea bargain for.
The refusal is an added hurdle if you seek a career in law enforcement. You're also facing a mandatory suspension/revocation of your license (probably for 1 year) for refusing the required chemical test.Quote:
Originally Posted by richeirich813
If you were always interested in law enforcement, why would you engage in the course of conduct that you've described above? A career in law enforcement or the military may help you change, but you should attempt to 'grow into a better person' on your own. A department will not want to hire you unless you can show that you've bettered yourself and there is a lot of time between your offenses and application for employment. Do you still smoke/drink? If you have to weigh your current lifestyle against the possibility of future employment, what changes do you think you should make?Quote:
Originally Posted by richeirich813
Stop drinking and driving. First things first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vengeance05
Excellent points lewisipo and vengeance05!Quote:
Originally Posted by lewisipso
Don't worry about something else making you the kind of person you should be. Make yourself the kind of person you should be. Worry about that first. If you can't get that part down, they you won't even have to worry about getting a LE job. Like vengeance said, I question why you would engage in the behavior you have if you have "always" been interested in LE. Granted, I got arrested for minor consumption of alcohol when I was 19. Back then, I didn't have any desire to be a cop. If I had wanted to be a cop I wouldn't have put myself in a position to f up my career. It's not all about what's on your record, but what your mindset is. If I was a background investigator, I would worry about where your head is. Like others have said the way to make that less of a concern is to go for a few years keeping totally clean, and not behave in ways that will reflect poorly on yourself. The military would be a good option to build some stability into your background and life.
The MJ charge would take you out of the running in my dept. Like many others, there needs to be at least 5 years since your DUI conviction.