Any FL Law enforcement officers. Job help

[MuddyRubberDuck]

I graduated the academy in December and have been looking for a job ever since. I have an arrest in 06 for open container in which I was standing on the side of the road trying to talk someone out of DUI. Also, my DL record is killing me even though I have not had a moving violation in over 3 years. Im not the kind of person who gets arrested either, i never even had a referral in high school. I was trying to help someone and it bit me in the end even though I did not know I was doing anything wrong. I know I would make a good cop but I just need the chance to talk to someone. I keep getting turned down before they even meet me. I hate being judged on paper.

My question is, I guess, is there anywhere out there that will give me a chance or should I just give up? I want this more than anything, but if it will never happen, I need to move on. Do you think it's my DL record or the arrest thats killing me. If there are any LEO's on the board that can help me I would appreciate it very much. I can provide more info about me if needed.

Thanks
Neil

 

[keithdiver]

I graduated the academy in December and have been looking for a job ever since. I have an arrest in 06 for open container in which I was standing on the side of the road trying to talk someone out of DUI. Also, my DL record is killing me even though I have not had a moving violation in over 3 years. Im not the kind of person who gets arrested either, i never even had a referral in high school. I was trying to help someone and it bit me in the end even though I did not know I was doing anything wrong. I know I would make a good cop but I just need the chance to talk to someone. I keep getting turned down before they even meet me. I hate being judged on paper.

My question is, I guess, is there anywhere out there that will give me a chance or should I just give up? I want this more than anything, but if it will never happen, I need to move on. Do you think it's my DL record or the arrest thats killing me. If there are any LEO's on the board that can help me I would appreciate it very much. I can provide more info about me if needed.

Thanks
Neil

Neil, did you check with Dade county? I mean a DUI first time, usually gets thrown out or reduced to a misdeameanor. Do you have a Family lawyer who can look into it for you? Also what do you think about the Dept. of corrections, then do a lateral tranfer from there. I know a lot of People who have done that in there careers. Best of Luck man.

 

[MuddyRubberDuck]

Neil, did you check with Dade county? I mean a DUI first time, usually gets thrown out or reduced to a misdeameanor. Do you have a Family lawyer who can look into it for you? Also what do you think about the Dept. of corrections, then do a lateral tranfer from there. I know a lot of People who have done that in there careers. Best of Luck man.

I don't have a DUI I was talking someone else out of driving. I just had an open beer while I was doing it. I was standing outside her car and she was parked on the street. Dade is a little far I live up above orlando. Also, I do have an app in at brevard county corrections. They are the only ones who do not require a corrections cert to put in an app.

 

[bilsant]

You're in a tough spot. State and local agencies are going through size reductions and budget crunches, putting experienced officers out into the job market and causing senior officers to hold off on retiring. That means there are a lot of folks competing for fewer positions, most of whom don't have your driving history issues.

If it something you really want, think in terms of relocation and being willing to start off in a small agency and be willing to go anywhere in the state (or to another state that will accept your certification). In the meanwhile, I'd look for a place with a reserve officer program where you may be able to throw in a little free time towards goodwill with that department while keeping your certification fresh.

Good luck.

 

[MuddyRubberDuck]

You're in a tough spot. State and local agencies are going through size reductions and budget crunches, putting experienced officers out into the job market and causing senior officers to hold off on retiring. That means there are a lot of folks competing for fewer positions, most of whom don't have your driving history issues.

If it something you really want, think in terms of relocation and being willing to start off in a small agency and be willing to go anywhere in the state (or to another state that will accept your certification). In the meanwhile, I'd look for a place with a reserve officer program where you may be able to throw in a little free time towards goodwill with that department while keeping your certification fresh.

Good luck.

I agree with you completely. I would be more than willing to go reserve but no one around here is hiring them either right now.

 

[Orlando Eric]

Sounds like you are in your early twenties. Looking at a crappy driving record coupled with a open container in your recent history you are going to get shuffled to the bottom of the stack. Unfortunatley for you as bilsant said every department is cutting back and laying off good proven officers who are now looking for openings. They have years of in service training, experience and a proven record where you are far far far behind.

It sucks but I gotta tell you that's the way it is. Think you are being judged unfairly now... ha.. start wearing a uniform in the public eye and learn to live your life under a microscope.

I recommend the fire academy.... everyone loves firemen and they have their own tax district.

 

[Jupiter31]

You rec'd some great info fron Bil and Eric -

The reality is, regardless of the position sought, employers can be very choosy today - and if they get an application w/out the baggage yours contains, that person is going to get choosen over you - fair,likely not - but goes to judgement and maturity, that someone else showed and you did not - at least on paper.

You may have to relocate - that should be the least of your worries if you want a position in law enforcement, or go the prison/corrections route, or the small agency route. If its a little harder, so be it - you just need to be willing to do what it takes to overcome the negatives on your resume.

So either take the attitude that I want to do all possible to get hired - or seek another career.

As you paid the tuition for the academy, I assume that you had a discussion with law enforcement or a councelor about your record - b/c the economy sucked in 2009 too. Do you have any college - even a 2 year degree can make you stand out over someone without one. And maybe negate some of the negatives.......

I'm rereading my post and while I don't want it to sound nasty, I think you need a little reality.

I guess what bothered me about yours was the lack of "I'll do anything to get hired" (as long as its near Orlando) and the excuses for your record - if you knew you wanted a career in law enforcement (most know this years before they ever apply; its not like applying for a job at McDonalds or WalMart) I would think you would have been extra careful.

Seriously, good luck - just be willing to do a lot more than you have been to get hired.

 

[djtimmy77]

Pay some lawyers a lot of money to get your record cleaned up?

 

[MuddyRubberDuck]

Pay some lawyers a lot of money to get your record cleaned up?

None of that matters when it comes to law enforcement agencies. You have to disclose it regardless.

 

[Orlando Eric]

better yet. Don't do it. It sucks. The hours suck. The things you'll be forced to do sucks. Working weekends sucks. Divorce sucks. Being ordered to do something you know is not going to work and going to make more work for you but still having to do it sucks. Working Xmas, New years, july 4th sucks. Getting eyeballed off duty by scumbags in line at walmart sucks. Keeping your opinions about religion, politics etc to yourself sucks. Getting yanked in a office and grilled about what you did over the weekend on your own time sucks. Bleeding, crippling yourself, sacrificng 20 years of holidays, relationships etc then get a sucky cake and a sucky watch along with a boot in the butt REALLY sucks.

THE only way anyone should ever do this job is because as sucky as all that is above... you feel even suckier not doing it. If you are not driven to it, haunted by it, feel it in your inner core.. don't do it.