Police Academy / LE Questions

[Trevor]

I have been interested in law enforcement since I was younger....but I tried to do a ride along with a patrol officer that I am friends with and his chief would not let me do it.

I am wondering if I am going to be able to attend the police academy ever due to this charge on my record...I've copied this from a judicial records website.

The case was filed on 08/31/2005 and the charge was a Class B Misdemeanor for "Racing on Highway"...current status of it is "Disposed/CSCD". The disposition information is as follows: 11/10/2005 - Granting Def Adjudification. I completed 12 months of probation, 24 hours of community serivce and paid all fines.

The PA of Pearland was telling me that even though I was granted def adj that I'd need to wait ~5 years before I could get on with any LE Agency because its still essentially a conviction, is this true for all agencies? Does this mean that I also need to wait until ~5 years has passed before I will be able to attend a college Police Academy?

[Maverick1701]

IIRC most agencies have a period of time that must pass before you can apply w/a class B on your record. I dont know about college academies....but even if you graduate the academy you still have the hurdle of the department rules concerning class B on your record.
Just make sure you time it right because if you have 2 years between the academy and when your license runs out to find a job.

It would royally suck to go through the whole academy only to find that you had to wait 3-4 years to start working due to the class B....

[CAL]

How old were you when this happened? My academy (a college academy) requires 10 years from a class B conviction, but is waiverable down to 5 years if you can articulate why they should do so.

[CAL]

How old were you when this happened? My academy (a college academy) requires 10 years from a class B conviction, but is waiverable down to 5 years if you can articulate why they should do so.
Actually that is a TCLEOSE rule not just my academy so that is anywhere in Texas.

[Trevor]

It happened when I was 18, I turn 23 this January....

should I just gather up the money and go to the school and apply for it and then if I get denied thats that? But say I do get through, will I be able to become employed by any agency even if I do complete the academy or are they going to deny me for this charge? honestly I think it is silly to hold someone back from a career due to this type of charge and considering how long ago it happened. I know laws are laws though. =/

[DD78]

1.) Come up with a good speech on "youthful indiscretions" that you've since outgrown. Give examples of how you've changed.

2.) Don't so much as get a jaywalking ticket ever again.

Not being from TX I don't know where a class B misdemeanor falls on the scale relative to my own jurisdiction, but you said it was "deferred adjudication". Is that like what we call here a "filing".

For a minor first offense if the offender pleads guilty or no lo contendre they are eligible for a filing. A sentence is imposed (suspended time, probation, counseling, fines) and if they comply with all the conditions put out by the court over the specified period of time the court vacates the conviction. You can then go to the court and ask for it to be expunged. (removed like it never happened, though you should still disclose it to a police agency looking to hire you)

You should be coming up on the end of your five years about now. See about getting it expunged.

Don't forget there are more states out there other than Texas (I know you Texans sometimes forget that...I used to live there). Many major cities have more lax standards on priors. Look around.

[Etho]

1. Talk to TCLEOSE
2. Talk to the director of the academy.

Between the two you should be able to get some good answers on what to do. You wouldn't be the first and won't be the last to have that problem. Not to mention departments know everyone isn't an angel and perfect. We've all done stupid stuff as kids, me included, and don't expect Boys Scouts as applicants. The background declarations are used as much just to see how truthful you'll be about your past, it's a judge of character. Unless of course it's really bad shit then they'll pass you over for someone else.


DD78: Class b is second from the botton on misdemeanors in Texas. Class C, B then A. 0-180 days in jail and/or $2000 fine.

[DD78]

1. Talk to TCLEOSE
2. Talk to the director of the academy.

Between the two you should be able to get some good answers on what to do. You wouldn't be the first and won't be the last to have that problem. Not to mention departments know everyone isn't an angel and perfect. We've all done stupid stuff as kids, me included, and don't expect Boys Scouts as applicants. The background declarations are used as much just to see how truthful you'll be about your past, it's a judge of character. Unless of course it's really bad shit then they'll pass you over for someone else.


DD78: Class b is second from the botton on misdemeanors in Texas. Class C, B then A. 0-180 days in jail and/or $2000 fine.

Thanks for the definition. We keep it really simple here because we aren't on penal code. However in other ways that makes it complicated.

[Trevor]

thanks for this information, I will see about getting it expunged + talk to the academy director & let you all know how it goes.

really appreciate it. :rock: