Will a Deferred Disposition for Theft Prevent Your Becoming a Police Officer

[JoeVC]

My question involves criminal records for the state of: New Hampshire:

So about a year ago, I was arrested charged with a retail theft of $100 from my work, but I was 21 years old.. I took a class the court offered me and paid a small fine and the charges were dropped. At the time, my mother was going through three major surgeries, including a brain aneurysm. She wasn't able to afford to help me with my rent for the month, as she usually did and I had absolutely no money for food, or anything else for that matter, so I was really not in a good place mentally. This is not an excuse because I know that there is always another way. Besides this one HUGE mistake in my life, I have never been arrested or charged with anything else. I'm about to go into my final year of college where I am earning my bachelors degree in criminal justice. I plan on becoming a police officer somewhere, I haven't really decided yet. I just want to get some input on this because my lifelong dream is to become a cop and if this one mistake prevents me otherwise, this will be horrible. I really knew I messed up big time. Do you think this will prevent me from becoming a police officer. I have a great job history and, like I said, I'm about to earn my bachelors in a year. Will expunging this make a difference as well?

This was something that is the exact opposite of my personality and morality. This was not me and right when I took that money, I knew I did something terrible. This has really made me learn my lesson.

[free9man]

Given that it just happened, it will be a major concern for any agency wanting to hire you. You should plan to work in a different field for a few years to let it age up a little and to show it was just once by not letting it happen again. Even then, it will always put you at a disadvantage compared to similar candidates without a crime of moral turpitude hanging on them.

You may also want to check with the licensing agency that certifies law enforcement officers in NH to make sure it isn't an automatic DQ.

[JoeVC]

What if I were to expunge it?

[flyingron]

The term for what you want in your state is "annulment" and you have to wait three years and it's still not going to be hidden from view by other law enforcement background checks. As pointed out, being of bad moral character is a pretty big strike against you for getting such job. About the only thing worst is being a liar. Answer truthfully any questions about your history on the application because being determined to be a liar is going to be about the worst thing that can happen. Nobody wants a cop they can't trust to tell the truth in the various statements and testimonies.