Can I Become a Police Officer with a Minor Criminal History?

Becoming a police officer with a criminal record is possbile.

The role of the police in society is of great importance. Without effective policing, society as we know it would collapse. As such, society demands from its police a higher standard of conduct. Being convicted of certain crimes may automatically disqualify you from the job, but many past transgressions can be forgiven.

Felonies

Being convicted of any felony will automatically disqualify a person from being hired as a police officer. Crimes that are considered felonies include burglary, robbery, grand theft, assault, battery, incidents of domestic violence, attempted homicide and homicide. If you have been convicted of any of theses crimes, you will not qualify for employment.

Misdemeanors

Being convicted of a misdemeanor is not, in and of itself, an automatic disqualification. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, such as petty theft or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. During the hiring process, you will meet with a background investigator, and you will be given the opportunity to disclose your crimes, and the circumstances surrounding them. Honesty is key. The police are not looking for perfect officers, but rather perfectly honest officers. Being truthful about everything will be the key to getting through your background investigation.

Infractions

Infractions are minor crimes, such as traffic citations, parking tickets and code violations. Most people, at some point in their life, will receive a ticket for an infraction, such as speeding, or running a stop sign. An occasional infraction is not cause for concern, as long as you inform your background investigator of the circumstances. Not disclosing the violation during the hiring process is much worse than the violation itself.

References

• hiring process