Thinking of applying to be LEO in CA, would this be a problem?

[WeekendWarrior]

Back in May of 2006, I did something stupid in the state of Nevada and was driving drunk. I got a DUI for this and I did everything the court asked me to do for it. I understand this may stop me from being an LEO for a certain amount of time, but am not sure how long that window is, or if there is DUI reciprocity between CA and NV. I would like to apply to a police or sheriff's department in CA. Any help on this subject would be much appreciated. I am a college grad if that makes a difference?

This was a 1 time stupid mistake and I have not done it since nor will I do it in the future.

Thanks!

[Unit74]

Our chief wants a min. of 5 clean years before he will even turn a page on an application with any conviction.

[fullrearview]

5 years is like a weekend to most departments. Not to discourage you, but its an uphill battle. I had a few minor credit discrepences and that was tough.

That being said, if you put yourself through and show initiative you never know.

[bRiT636]

Our chief wants a min. of 5 clean years before he will even turn a page on an application with any conviction.

Including traffic?

[9mmepiphany]

i guess MADD had an effect

when i retired, it was a 5 year window for use of cocaine

i think DUI was 2 years after clearing probation...just like any other misdemeanor

[Escalado]

With the sheer quantity and quality of prospective applicants you are going to have a problem. With the economy taking a dump, departments have been overran with applicants. Your going to be competing with people with pristine records w/ BS and Masters Degrees. If you want it, give it a shot but it wont be easy.

[Baconator]

The issue you are going to face is the overwhelming amount of people applying for jobs that have perfect records (because they were white collar, college educated professional people prior to the recession). That in tandem with reduced funding for most agencies allows for them to pick and choose. Normally it is difficult for agencies to find enough qualified candidates, but not right now. I was going through a process for a local SO, there were something like 2000 people in the running for 30 openings. In a few years with things are back to normal and all of these people who would have never thought of being cops go back to their normal jobs it should be a little easier, and you will have some time between your incident and your application.

All of that being said, you wont know unless you ask. Different departments have different DQ factors. You should be able to call the agency you are interested in applying with and speak to a recuirter who can have a candid conversation with you about your issue and see what they say.
Good luck!

[Ron-Solo]

I believe LASD now has a 10 year waiting period.

[KillZone45]

I believe LASD now has a 10 year waiting period.

Basically saying "we do not want you", heck i am suprised they will even take anyone with that type of conviction.

[tazmanian devil dog]

Some departments will work with you and be reasonable, others are so picky that if you had detention in High School, they won't look at you. Have some candid discussions with some recruiters so you don't waste your time with agencies that are holier than thou. With luck you will get picked up.

[TRICKSTER]

Due to the current economy, most departments are not even hiring entry level recruits, they are only accepting academy graduates or laterals. From a management viewpoint, it is a major investment to send someone through the academy, and they would be hesitant to take chances with someone who has a potential problem.

[fullrearview]

Also, do some volunteer work. Make a name for yourself. If you put in a few years of volunteer work and put yourself through and prove you can learn from your mistakes, you will have a good chance.

http://post.ca.gov/Publications/PAM/PAM-ch5_selectionRequirements.pdf

[Unit74]

Including traffic?

No... Only M/F. A ticket or two is not a disqualifier per se. But two for the same VC may be, i.e. "You didn't learn your lesson the first time?"

[Cpl_Peters]

any convictions will make it damn near impossible. Just like another member said before me. If they have someone with a perfect record and someone with a blemish on it and everything else is nearly similar, they are going to go with the clean record applicant.

Think of it this way. If two different girls were after you. Both were gorgeous, both cooked/cleaned, both also had millions of dollars in the bank from a trust fund, both helped you clean your guns, and both smelled really good. But one of them voted for Obama....who would you pick?

[bRiT636]

No... Only M/F. A ticket or two is not a disqualifier per se. But two for the same VC may be, i.e. "You didn't learn your lesson the first time?"

Cheers, I guess I may have some difficult questions ( I had two fix its for the same problem ) and will just explain my point. By the time I can apply it will be close to five years old as well.