Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: maryland
A little over two years ago an ex gf of mine filed for a peace order against me shortly after i returned from Iraq. The reason why she choose to file a peace order was because i made a stupid comment out of anger saying i was going to track her and her new boy friend down and kick his butt for talking trash and for being disrespectful to a veteran. I got served with the peace order two days later. I went to court, but i didnt contest it because i did say what i said. The final order states no evidence or criminal charges found, with instructions saying no to contact, harrass, and stay away. Also for me to seek family counsling for my mothers passing. The order expired two years ago with no violations. I have had contact with her since the order and her and i are on good terms. Im looking for a career in law enforcement and i know this will be a major red flag. Other than the peace order the only thing i have against me is a minor speeding ticket. My ex has given me a written statement saying all our issues are resolved, that she no longer feels threatened and that she supports my career goals. My question is do i stand any chance of getting a job as a police officer?
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
An expired order should not be a statutory bar to employment as an officer unless MD mandates a firearms ban for a period of time after such an order expires.
Any prospective employing agency is likely to examine all the details of the incident and will evaluate that with whatever you have done and how you have conducted yourself since that time.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
There were no firearms restrictions with the order. It only shows as a civil record not a criminal record.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
Quote:
Quoting
07marine
There were no firearms restrictions with the order. It only shows as a civil record not a criminal record.
But, a protective order in a DV related matter (i.e. involving an ex girlfriend) would have required you to turn in your firearms and not to possess them at least for the time the order was in place. MD law might impose additional sanctions - I don't see it, but it is always a possibility.
It would only have been a "peace order" if the two of you were platonic friends and had not been previously or currently involved in any kind of a sexual relationship.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
According to both the paperwork i have from the court and MD online judiciary case search its labeled as a peace order. I believe protective orders are given to married couples or persons that live within the same household along with steeper restrictions such as the fire arm restrictions. A peace order are for persons that do not live together such as neighbors, co workers, boy friends or girl friends. I believe peace orders can come with weapon restrictions if the judge sees cause for it. I was never told and it was never documented that i was under any weapon restrictions. As i was still able to carry my weapon while in the military and i still have an active secret security clearance. Again this is just what ive been lead to believe from my research. I could br completely wrong which is why im asking for help here.
- - - Updated - - -
www.courts.state.md.us/.../ccdcdvpo001b...
This is the link to the info i found. Its a pdf form. It says protective orders can come with the firearm restrictions, i didnt see anything about restrictions with peace orders.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
Then you were lucky, because if the two of you had a sexual relationship it could have been a protective order which would have firearms restrictions. (It's an easy search under MD law)
As I said, absent any current restrictions, this is not a legal bar to employment as a peace officer, but, it will be a subject of interest in any background investigation. Some agencies may very well cull you from the applicant pool early on, but others might not. Be open about what happened. A lie will kill you, a mistake won't.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
I really appreciate your feedback on this topic. It was the first thing i put on my application. I was able to take the written exam, passed it, then had my oral interview which i spoke to them with great detail about it. Unfortunately i did not get the position but i was told to apply again when more positions come open. I assume that most departments do a preliminary records check on applicants prior to any testing? So if i were to be disqualified because of the order would they of let me go that far and take the test and have the interview?
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
It depends on the laws of your state. In my state we cannot run any kind of a state criminal history on applicants until they are in the background process. There are a few exceptions such as if they have requested to do a ridealong. Your state might permit it, and some may conduct such records checks. But, it is doubtful they would be done before a written exam or even an oral.
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
Will the written statement i have from her help my cause?
Re: Will an Expired Civil Peace Order Prevent Me from Becoming a Police Officer
Quote:
Quoting
07marine
Will the written statement i have from her help my cause?
As part of the background, probably. But, they will also want to interview her personally.