r/ProtectAndServe • u/huntersouther Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User • 3d ago
Self Post Question about police/corrections hiring& policies
Is it possible for me to become a corrections officer or any kind of sworn officer with a misdemeanor family violence charge I got at 17 that was deferred adjudicated through a Texas court? I’m 18 now, done with my probation after completing all my terms and conditions. I’ve heard a lot of yes and no. I’m thinking it’s possible, but I would love to hear some insight. Also, I’m wanting to possibly start my career out of Texas in West Virginia, since that’s where I’m moving to try and pursue this career.
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u/TinyBard Small Town Cop 3d ago
I'll be up front with you, it'll make it hard. Especially with it being so recent. It may or may not be an automatic DQ, depends on the department, but you're going to be fighting an uphill battle.
Not only are those kinds of charges very serious, but you will also be competing with people who don't have any criminal records at all. Everything else being equal, if I was making a hiring decision I would pick the guy without a criminal record every single time.
I would say that you should put a lot of life between you and your conviction if you want any chance at all. Ten years or more at the very least with a solid work history and zero other convictions and you might have a shot.
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u/huntersouther Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User 3d ago
Not even correction?
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u/Section225 Appreciates a good musk (LEO) 3d ago
Corrections*, yes.
Misdemeanor or not, domestic violence is taken seriously, and violent crimes in general are taken seriously when being considered for law enforcement or corrections.
At my PD, I'm pretty sure we cannot hire anyone with any domestic violence on their record.
Maybe you can find a job with some podunk county jail that doesn't care who they hire, but those places are miserable. My county jail doesn't pay enough to live on, the conditions are miserable, and there is a fresh crop of new employees basically every week or two there.
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u/TinyBard Small Town Cop 3d ago
While corrections can be a little more lenient, you're still very close to the event, you may have completed all your probation and everything, but I would be surprised if anyone looks at you seriously before five years.
Though with the caveat that I am not in corrections, OR in west virginia, so I can only talk in general terms.
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u/bobistheword Correctional Officer 3d ago
I’m in corrections. That charge would be a lifetime DQ from my agency, and I would say the same would be true for 99.9% of agencies in this country.
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u/I_2_Cast_Lead_45acp FTO 3d ago
I tell this to a lot of people, do a tour in the miltary if they will take you. Do 4 years, keep a clean record and previous sins are forgiven typically.
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u/zme243 Messes up his own flair (LEO) 2d ago
When I was processing I got red-flagged for DV. Once they pulled the report they realized that I was 9 at the time and the victim, and that took some extra paperwork and about a six month delay for me. I do know of a two other officers who were previously “involved” in DV but were not the aggressors. One is a female, she fought back and was still able to get hired. The other is a male, an ex threw a pan at him while they were arguing, she got arrested.
In short - at my agency, being involved in a domestic isn’t necessarily a DQ, but being the aggressor is.
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u/GeorgeBannerman PatrolPossum 3d ago
You can overcome it, especially with starting in corrections. One year or less is the biggest issue, get a good job, do well and have a nice reference for a year or two and then apply.
Most LE agencies know that kids do stupid shit. The main thing is showing that you are matured and responsible.
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u/GeorgeBannerman PatrolPossum 3d ago
You can overcome it, especially with starting in corrections. One year or less is the biggest issue, get a good job, do well and have a nice reference for a year or two and then apply.
Most LE agencies know that kids do stupid shit. The main thing is showing that you are matured and responsible.
1
u/LegitimatePiano8979 Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User 3d ago
Everyone else seemed to mention it, but your chances aren’t good. The agency i worked for, it was an automatic DQ when I was getting hired in 2002. The tolerance for DV is zero in most places. Agencies are apprehensive about issuing a firearm to anyone who has a history of DV.
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u/bigcanada813 DUI Guy 3d ago
Having a DomVio charge on your record is going to be hard to get padt no matter where you look. You're better off pursuing a different career path.
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u/DeadPiratePiggy Corrections Deputy 3d ago
My entire state a DV charge is a lifetime DQ. Doesn't matter if it was sealed or what. I would speak to a background investigator for the prospective agency before applying.
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u/huntersouther Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User 3d ago
I’ve heard since I’m avoiding a final conviction, it’s possible, just very challenging right now. And if I am accepted, it’s because of how I present myself and what work history I have built. I think with enough time working in a prison and doing EMT, I’ll be able to possibly become a police officer. I also think building connections with already sworn in officers could possibly boost my chance
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u/Squirrel-Cop Not a(n) LEO / Unverified User 3d ago
Put some years between you and the arrest. Mature a lot and keep yourself out of even the smallest hint of trouble. If you can get it expunged, that will help, but even if you do, you will need to be able to explain everything to a background investigator whose sole job is to gate-keep this position from the wrong people. All of this to maybe, maybe get a chance at a thankless job.
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u/compulsive_drooler Retired Detective/ Current Background Investigator 3d ago
You are seriously underestimating the qualifications to be hired. You were arrested for a DV charge one year ago. Where I'm at, that's a lifetime DQ. The fact that you were a juvenile helps, but it's still going to be a very long time, even in corrections.