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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    1

    Default Becoming a Police Officer with a Juvenile Record

    My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Texas

    To my understanding TCOLE basic eligibility requirements require that you have never been convicted of or placed on court related supervision or probation for any offence above a class B misdemeanor or a class b misdemeanor within the last ten years.

    I received deferred prosecution for being a party to burglary of a building in 2003 ( when I was 13 ) when some friends broke into a middle school concession stand and stole some candy out of it after telling me to watch out for them while they went behind it and smoked cigarettes. The school threw the book at us because some of the other involved were repeat offenders. Stupid right? Don't let your kids lead sheltered lives like my parents did but either way I digress. I completed the terms of my deferred prosecution agreement which included restitution and 6 months of probation and going to a juvenile boot camp successfully and the charges were dismissed and even restricted when I turned 18. I have since spent 4 years in the military with a combat deployment, attained my associates degree and been awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. I'm not sure if its noteworthy to add that I am a licensed CHL holder and have been licensed as a level 2&3 Armed Security Officer by the Texas DPS but I hold those certifications currently.

    My question is that since the probation was a term of my deferred prosecution and not the verdict of conviction is it an automatic bar to licensure?

    I would really like to be a LEO and in fact have tried for the last few years to find something else I would be happy doing but just can't. I would like to know if I will be just spinning my wheels with this however. Thanks in advance fro any relative advice.

    Also this is the language listed in the FAQ section of the TCOLE section about eligibility requirements

    "If I receive pre-trial diversion for a criminal offense, does this make me ineligible for licensure by TCOLE? Not if you successfully complete the terms of the pre-trial diversion agreement. Pre-trial diversion is different from deferred adjudication and court-ordered community supervision or probation. However law enforcement agencies may not hire you if they determine it is not in their best interest."

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    1,279

    Default Re: Becoming a Police Officer with a Juvenile Record

    I am not familiar with Texas law as it pertains to peace officer employment and i don't think there are any Texas cops on this forum.

    However, the section you quoted sounds somewhat similar to California law on such matters. It basically states that proceedings under the juvenile court are generally not considered to be a criminal conviction under unless the individual was certified, tried, and convicted as an adult. Therefore, juvenile convictions are not included as a legal bar to appointment as a peace officer. However, the conduct surrounding the offense should certainly be considered as part of the overall background.

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