with a pardon it just forgives the crime does not remove it allows you to get jobs (like if you apply for a state job that requires no convictions you now can now be hired for that job by law but does not mean you will be depends on who else aplies
ok i to have been trying to become a leo with a felony conviction state of florida heres the scoop from months of searchs,emails,phone calls
yes you can become a police officer with a felony conviction
not only in florida but in some other sates ,

heres the scoop
1)amount of time that has passed
2)some depts will take you depending on the crime (mine was be & larceny)
3)you can vacate your plea and go back in front of the judge and get you charges reduced allowing you to get cerfified
4)in fl a pardon from the gov will allow you do get fdle certified
5)not all depts will take you with a felony conviction in 1 day i found 4 in fla
as long as you meet other requirements

now my story my crime was 32 years ago when i was 18 im now 50 and going throught the academy in jan 09 i have been voluntering at the local pd for 2 1/2 years (with a felony conviction)im well respected and dont know if they will hire me (have not asked waiting to go through the academy first)
i have applied for a full pardon from the gov office still waiting
and im going to the state attys office to try to get my 30 year old charges droped to a misterminor (been told this can be done )depts will hire with this type of charge easyer if that dont work im going to vacate my plea also told this is a good option as the charge was 32 years ago