Can I become a police officer still?

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 06:53 PM

Hi, it's a pleasure to with such a great community. (I hope to join you guys someday too!)

I live in NC and wish to become a police officer in the wonderful state, but all I have done wrong is really freaking me out! I smoked cannabis a bit when I was 15. I've quit it, but that is not my main worry.

When I was 15, someone posted a link to child porn, and I scrolled through it, realizing what the person had sent to me. I closed the page and reported the person.

Now, I believe that I would have no problem with that, because it wasn't intentional, and I never really did anything, but was tricked into seeing it. Now, this is what really worries me and give me cold chills.

I believe under some circumstances I watched some porn, not sure if the girl was necessarily underaged, but she may have been. Out of ignorance I did this, not knowing about the damage that it would cause me, (not only as a someone who wants to become a police officer, but I am very strongly a anti-under-the-age-of-18 sex supporter.) Now, under the ignorance of the subject, could I also call this encounter an "accident"?

I understand that watching pornography is extremely bad, but please give me some good news!

I haven't committed a crime since then, and still have a year left of high school. I have a feeling that if I admit what I did and work my best, I might have a chance at become a police officer. Is this possible at all?

**MacLean** · 04-07-09, 06:58 PM

I smell some holding cell.

**Five-0** · 04-07-09, 07:01 PM

Well we generally like new folks to intoduce themselves. So, before we hit on the issues you have presented tell us a bit about yourself.

How did you hear about the site?
What kind of things are you into....HS sports ect?
Are there any explorer programs in your area?
Oh and before I forget:

**Terminator** · 04-07-09, 07:01 PM

Note: His profile says 16. Be nice...be nice...lol.

**Buttercup** · 04-07-09, 07:01 PM

Oooh.

**Cidp24** · 04-07-09, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Terminator

Note: His profile says 16. Be nice...be nice...lol.

Edited to be nice.

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Well we generally like new folks to intoduce themselves. So, before we hit on the issues you have presented tell us a bit about yourself.

How did you hear about the site?
What kind of things are you into....HS sports ect?
Are there any explorer programs in your area?
Oh and before I forget:

Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself, but I've been really nervous lately.

1) I have found the website by google.
2) I am into Golf and was into baseball for a short bit.
3) I am not familiar with 'explorer programs', I apologize!

**OfficerResource.com** · 04-07-09, 07:07 PM

Welcome I hope you find your answers here.

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 07:09 PM

Thank you!

**jmur5074** · 04-07-09, 07:17 PM

Always disclose anything and everything that is asked of you.

Lying is a guaranteed way to lose your chances at getting a job.

I'd suggest you look into local reserve or explorer programs, if offered.

Also considering your only 16, and you smoked marijuana when you were 15 (give or take a year ago) you need to lay off any and all illegal drugs. The only thing that will save you from using marijuana is a significant amount of time from the last time you used it. Any harder drugs will likely be an automatic disqualifier.

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

Always disclose anything and everything that is asked of you.

Lying is a guaranteed way to lose your chances at getting a job.

I'd suggest you look into local reserve or explorer programs, if offered.

Also considering your only 16, and you smoked marijuana when you were 15 (give or take a year ago) you need to lay off any and all illegal drugs. The only thing that will save you from using marijuana is a significant amount of time from the last time you used it. Any harder drugs will likely be an automatic disqualifier.

Thank you! I am going to start to look for "ride-along" programs. I will need to admit that I did indeed see stated above, but is it possible that they will overlook the ignorance that I committed if I stay clean?

**jmur5074** · 04-07-09, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Citrus

Thank you! I am going to start to look for "ride-along" programs. I will need to admit that I did indeed see stated above, but is it possible that they will overlook the ignorance that I committed if I stay clean?

It's possible.

Every department is different.

**TXCharlie** · 04-07-09, 07:27 PM

I wouldn't worry about the pot, as long as you don't repeat the mistake. Many PD's (Dallas PD being one of them) are now overlooking some experimentation in the young teen years. Just be up front with them with the whole truth, so you don't fail the polygraph.

As for the child porn, if that was accidental and you reported it, be sure to explain that fully.

I wouldn't worry at all about the adult porn as long as it's not an obsession - what teenage kid or adult hasn't done that? It never even came up in the pre-polygraph test I took, but they did ask for a full disclosure about dope and child porn.

ALSO - Ask your local PD & Sheriff if they have a Junior Citizens Police Academy. It's usually a weekly course that lasts about two months. In addition to doing ride-alongs they will often take you out to see SWAT exercises, play with some of the equipment like the radars and there's a classroom element that explains all about the job. The two I attended were very good.

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 07:28 PM

I really appreciate the help.

Since I plan to apply to a smaller department (4 - 8 total police officers on the roster, INCLUDING reserve officers), my only hope to be treated as an individual so I can be questioned and defend my crimes, do most police departments do that? Such as treat the person as a individual?

**jmur5074** · 04-07-09, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Citrus

I really appreciate the help.

Since I plan to apply to a smaller department (4 - 8 total police officers on the roster, INCLUDING reserve officers), my only hope to be treated as an individual so I can be questioned and defend my crimes, do most police departments do that? Such as treat the person as a individual?

As opposed to what?

**Citrus** · 04-07-09, 07:42 PM

I apologize for it may be my lack of understanding of Police Applications. For what I have researched, you fill out a general application. If they accept you, you go onto the next phase, which is the "Background Check". This is where I believe you post the crimes you had committed within the past (X) years. If I were to put down that I had viewed the content I had admitted to viewing in the past ( and in the post ), will I be able to defend my case, that I was very ignorant and careless when it happened, by either a oral interview/or perhaps just a paragraph of space next to the "list crimes committed"?

**Terminator** · 04-07-09, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Citrus

I apologize for it may be my lack of understanding of Police Applications. For what I have researched, you fill out a general application. If they accept you, you go onto the next phase, which is the "Background Check". This is where I believe you post the crimes you had committed within the past (X) years. If I were to put down that I had viewed the content I had admitted to viewing in the past ( and in the post ), will I be able to defend my case, that I was very ignorant and careless when it happened, by either a oral interview/or perhaps just a paragraph of space next to the "list crimes committed"?

He's referring to what we in N.C. call a personal history statement, which is state mandated, and a part of the background investigation.

**Terminator** · 04-07-09, 07:48 PM

Alright, let's call off the hounds and be nice. I don't think he's a troll. And he's only 16.

**jmur5074** · 04-07-09, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Citrus

I apologize for it may be my lack of understanding of Police Applications. For what I have researched, you fill out a general application. If they accept you, you go onto the next phase, which is the "Background Check". This is where I believe you post the crimes you had committed within the past (X) years. If I were to put down that I had viewed the content I had admitted to viewing in the past ( and in the post ), will I be able to defend my case, that I was very ignorant and careless when it happened, by either a oral interview/or perhaps just a paragraph of space next to the "list crimes committed"?

I say again, every department is different. Some may give you an area to write an explanation, others may ask for an explanation during an interview, others may not ask at all. You need to find out from the department what their process is.