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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    6

    Question Becoming a Police Officer With a Drug and Criminal Record

    My question involves criminal records for the state of: Ohio

    I unfortunately had issues with the law when I was younger. I became addicted to drugs when I was 14 years old. In Feb. 2010 I received a felony 5 for theft. Unfortunately I didn't even get sentenced to 3 years probation until April 2011. This coming April I will have completed my probation and I have over 2 years clean and sober. Yet, I do know in the state of Ohio I have to wait another 3 years after that to get it expunged. My dream in life is to become a police officer and eventually a detective. I have had the dream for 5 years now. I know it sounds crazy that a felon would want to be a cop or is even able to be one but I truly feel that it is my calling to help others this way. I made mistakes that I deeply regret and if it wasn't for the horrible disease of addiction I would have never ever done anything wrong. I do not use that as an excuse though. I take full responsibility for my wrong choices. I would be going to the police academy now if I jnew there was any tiny chance I could one day fulfill my dream. Instead I am majoring in Business Management just jn case I go through school and then find I am not able to do what I really want to do. I know most people shun upon this topic but I'd really like to know if anyone has ever heard of even one person getting through their rough past and turning it around to help people and be a police officer. I have heard of something called a mayor's pardon but I'm not sure if that would help any. I just know there's at least a handful of cops somewhere in America that have had their second chance and I'm willing to do anything for my second chance as well.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
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    17,019

    Default Re: Felon Becomes Police Officer

    You are unlikely to pass a background check to become an officer.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Felon Becomes Police Officer

    I understand I am unlikely. But I truly feel it's not impossible.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Felon Becomes Police Officer

    Quote Quoting MissMae417
    View Post
    My question involves criminal records for the state of: Ohio

    I unfortunately had issues with the law when I was younger. I became addicted to drugs when I was 14 years old. In Feb. 2010 I received a felony 5 for theft. Unfortunately I didn't even get sentenced to 3 years probation until April 2011. This coming April I will have completed my probation and I have over 2 years clean and sober. Yet, I do know in the state of Ohio I have to wait another 3 years after that to get it expunged. My dream in life is to become a police officer and eventually a detective. I have had the dream for 5 years now.
    As a convicted felon you will be prohibited to be a peace officer by both state and federal law. If you get it expunged, and if in your state that restores your firearms rights, you might have a theoretical chance at becoming a peace officer, but most agencies won't touch you unless a great many years have passed and you have some outstanding education and/or work history between the incident and the time of application.

    People do get through rough patches and become cops. But, it won't be easy and it will take time. Possibly a lot of it. Budgetary times are tough, so hiring is down and highly competitive in those places that ARE hiring. All things being equal, the candidate with a conviction in his past - even if expunged - is going to be put at the bottom of the list. Use this time to build a solid work history, do great in school, volunteer in the community, and show yourself to be a good and decent fellow.

    The other problem you will have is this conviction for theft is a crime of moral turpitude. As such it can be subject to disclosure to defense counsel in any criminal case you work. This could make you virtually unemployable if your state or jurisdiction is aggressive in supplying Brady material (referring to Brady v. Maryland to defense counsel. Some agencies may not want to hire someone whose ability to testify is questionable at the outset.

    I would recommend you contact your state's Peace Officer Standards and Training agency to find some of the answers you seek and how best to navigate this arduous path.

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