My case: HELP

[Sid]

OK, I`ve read a lot about how to become a police officer and I want to state my case and see what you(s) think:

- I had three speeding tickets around 2000-01
- I smoke pot for a year or so around 2000.
I was never arrested or caught or anything.
There is probably no record of it anywhere.
- I got into two car accidents around 2000-01.
- Since March of 2002, I have had a clean driving record
- No felony convictions, or even any charges.
- I am joining the Army in June 2003 for 2 to 4 years.
Hopefully to become and MP.

Q&A:

1. Ultimately, will any of this definitely disqualify me?
(If you answered no to question 1, forget the rest)
2. How much can I expect, being an Army MP, help?
3. When considering driving records, do they overlook
past offenses if your recent driving record is perfect?
(By recent I mean say, 3 to 5 years of clean driving)
4. Is a traffic ticket a misdemeanor?
5. What kinds of questions will be asked by polygraph?
6. What percentage of applicants make it, on average?
7. Overall what are my chances?

[lich]

Here are my answers to your questions.

1. Nothing seems to automatically disqualify you. The amount and duration of your drug usage may disqualify you.

2. I don't know how much help your experience as an MP could be. It's not like you can skip police training because of it. The biggest help the Army might give you is the ability to go to college. An advanced degree would make you a better applicant.

3. There are no definitive answers. Every department differs. Your past crimes do come back to haunt you, but the blow is lessened when you show a recent history of a dramatic improvement.

4. I don't know. My guess would be it depends on the ticket. Failing to signal a turn is not the same as careless driving.

5. Questions include past criminal activity. Areas covered are often theft, drug usage, and violent crimes.

6. I don't know. Most deparments have many more people applying for positions than they have open positions. For example, I applied last year to a department which had three open positions and eighty people came to take the written test. And those are just the people who applied and met the qualifications to begin the selection process.

7. I don't know.

Good luck in your future application. I hope your Army experience serves you well.