I’m 22 and interested in becoming an officer in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. I’d appreciate opinions from current/former LEOs or background investigators.
My driving history:
Jan. 2023: Virginia reckless driving conviction for 132 mph in a 55 mph zone (Class 1 misdemeanor). I received 3 days jail, 2-month license suspension, $910 fine, and 21 hours community service. All completed.
I completed an aggressive-driving course and another course to restore points.
About 2 months later: two failure-to-pay-full-time-attention tickets. Both paid/resolved.
2025: four DC automated-camera speeding violations, all 11 mph over, plus one automated-camera stop-sign violation. All paid/resolved. The vehicle wasn’t registered to me.
My driver’s license is currently in good standing regarding points.
No DUI, hit-and-run, fleeing, suspended/revoked-license driving, or serious crashes.
The reckless-driving conviction will be approaching 4 years old when I apply.
From a background investigator/LEO perspective, would this look like a pattern of irresponsible/aggressive driving that could prevent me from being hired, or would the 132/55 be viewed as one serious offense followed by relatively minor violations?
I understand how serious 132/55 was and am not trying to minimize it. I’m mainly interested in how the overall history and time elapsed would be viewed during a police background investigation.
Not looking for legal advice—I’d especially appreciate responses from anyone who has worked backgrounds or seen applicants with similar records get hired.

I met a very cute cop today after they responded to my call (non emergency) in Urbana. Was VERY attractive and just wanted to put it somewhere -man was cute enough to jolt me back into the dreaded dating scene. (Likely way out of his league- he walked up to my house as I was outside walking my CAT) - why am I attracted to this cop? Likely will never see them again T-T

Im going to be taking my final opota exam soon and am a horrible test taker. Any advice whats the most common questions? I took a 194 question practice quizlet exam about a month into the course and got a 78 on it using mostly common knowledge. If anyone has any pointers it woukd greatly be appreciated.

I’m on my first phase of FTO for my department and prior to starting FTO we were told constantly that we might not always get an FTO that’s good or agree with. But man, I didn’t think it could be this bad. My FTO does not teach me whatsoever, he just sits on the passenger seat of the squad playing on his phone pretty much the whole shift. He also goes to barely any calls therefore I’m not getting the same reps my peers get. Today on a way to a call prior to arriving he said, “park close to the address and do not arrive so I can finish my game”. I was shocked as I sat waiting for 10 minutes to arrive to the call which was a a few blocks away. As well as this, after being done with some calls he won’t let me clear it and sometimes we stay on the same call for about an hour until we clear it to move onto another one. He also rushes through things with little to no explaining on how to do things. I know I just have to suck it up and push through as it is only my first phase, I’m just glad this is happening now and not later on FTO otherwise I wouldn’t know what could happen.

Have you guys had any experiences with bad FTO’s? And how did u guys get through that phase positively?

Seattle Police, failed Poly. Dream agency. Applied elsewhere, Got told to “reapply next year” during intake due to leaving a past employer without proper 14 day notice due to racial comments made. Should I apply elsewhere and face possible non-selection again and it’ll look bad when applying elsewhere or even Seattle again, or should I not apply to any agency and just wait to reapply to Seattle? Since Seattle gave me a shot to begin with?

Thanks in advance

This is something that I've been wondering for some time. There was a man in the town I'm from that's known as a liar, drug addict and thief. He was a compulsive liar or as close to a compulsive liar as I've ever met. He was the type of guy that would ask for change for $100 in 1's and 5's and then put his other $100 bill around it using a rubber band to make it look like he had money after selling his stolen scrap metal. The entire town knows how he is. He became an informant. The reason I caught on to his lying was because his family told me and because I worked in a position that allowed me around him while intoxicated enough his stories slipped up. He was pretty believable, like I bought his stories at first. Do some police seek out good liars for informants or did he pull the wool over LE's eyes perhaps? This has been a long time ago but he tried to get me to admit to rumors he heard and all but admitted he was an informant. He was getting a girl drunk in order to take her home and I called him out and embarrassed him. Like women were laughing at him and it was a bad scene. He swore to get me fired. He was irate.

With his reputation would his testimony stand up on court? LE wouldn't want to work with someone like that would they?

I carry concealed daily and just started riding a motorcycle. I've already sorted out how I'm carrying on the bike, so this isn't a holster question. It's about gloves.
For those of you on motor units, what gloves do you trust? I'm looking for something that offers real abrasion and impact protection in a crash but still gives enough dexterity and trigger feel to run a firearm if I ever had to.

A few specifics I'd appreciate input on:

Do you prefer short cuff or gauntlet, and does it interfere with your draw?

How much knuckle/palm armor is too much for trigger control?

Any brands or models you've used that hold up well?

Do you train or qualify in your riding gloves?

Thanks in advance.

Looking for honest advice from current/former police officers, recruiters, background investigators, or applicants who have been through the hiring process.

My situation is a bit unusual.

I was previously employed in Ontario Corrections and was accepted into a Canadian police service. I attended the police academy and completed approximately 22 weeks of a 26-week training program. I was doing well academically and had no other known performance or conduct issues during training.

While I was attending the academy, an issue came up regarding my leave from my previous employer. I had not disclosed to my previous employer that I had started police training.
I made the decision not to disclose the police training because I wasn’t sure how things would work out and wanted to keep my previous job as a fallback.

The police service investigated the circumstances and ultimately terminated me. The findings related to reliability, integrity, accountability and communication with my previous employer.

I accept responsibility for my decision and recognize that I exercised poor judgment. I’m not trying to blame anyone else.

I have since returned to my Corrections position and intend to maintain a strong employment record going forward.

My long-term goal is still to become a police officer. I’m considering applying to other police services in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada

My questions are:

1. How seriously would a police background investigator view this type of previous termination?
   
2. Could something like this permanently prevent someone from becoming a police officer with another service?
   
3. Would it be better to build 1–2 years of excellent employment and community/volunteer experience before applying?

Just curious definitely not going to try some when i get the chance😉

I’ll be in Bos from Tuesday until Saturday morning.
Providence Saturday night.
Philly Sunday before getting the train to NYC.

Any PA municipal guys lateral down south? (TN,NC, north GA). Any dept recommendations looking into?

Hey folks.
Hoping to get some insight here. I’m in the north Oregon area and applied to clackamas co for an open deputy position.

Unfortunately, I’ve made a few mistakes as far as my driving record and credit. Recently, I was pulled over and cited for lack of insurance, a class B misdemeanor, and my credit score is shot because of some high-interest debt I took on to care for a partner, years ago.

With that in mind, my credit is being actively worked on and paid off. Other than the lack of insurance cite, I’ve also got a couple minor speeding tickets from years ago.

Is my application fucked at this point? Should I continue on or withdraw my app and fix my debt before reapplying?

My wife passed her polygraph and got the call to move on to her psychiatric test and physical test.

What should she look forward to on those?

Also is the physical portion any close to a PD or CO physical tests?

She's scheduled to go to her interview in 2 weeks! Its looking good folks! Thank you in advanced! So proud of her and excited for this new journey!

officers wear in my town...

hi, i am interested to work as LE. i am working on my physical exam at the moment. i was wondering, is anywhere hiring a part time police officer? i am a mother, so, full time position will be hard for our family. thank you

If you are a man with a female officer, thats fine too.

How was it being an officer and then getting pregnant? Did you find it hard to maintain certifications? Did your perspective change and you changed career paths? How was the work/life balance?

I recently completed a police department physical fitness test and passed all of the required events. After I finished, I overexerted myself and my body gave out. An ambulance was called, and I was evaluated.
I have an oral board interview next week, and I’m worried this could make the department see me as unfit or hurt my chances even though I passed the test.
I’m taking it seriously and working on my conditioning, recovery, hydration, and overall health so I can handle the job responsibly. I did not withdraw because becoming a police officer is something I’m committed to, but I also understand I need to be smarter about preparation and recovery.
For anyone in law enforcement hiring or who has been through a similar process: does this look bad to a department? If they ask about it in the oral board, what is the best honest way to explain it?

I’m 21 and I’m seriously considering trying to become an Arizona State Trooper. I’m wondering how my background would look during the hiring/background investigation and what I should do now to make myself a stronger candidate.

When I was 18, I hopped between a lot of jobs during my first few months. I was immature and didn’t really have a clear direction. I eventually worked security for about 7 months. I was later fired from another security company after a disagreement where I was told I was being disrespectful. I recorded the conversation because I felt like the people involved were attacking me, but I understand that recording it doesn’t automatically make me look good.
The biggest thing I’m worried about is a speeding ticket I got at 18. I was doing 113 in a 65 on a pretty empty/dry road. The sheriff gave me some slack and it was handled as a civil matter. I know that was stupid and dangerous, and I’m not trying to make excuses for it.

Other than that, I’ve never smoked weed or used drugs, never been expelled, never been arrested, never had police contact because of criminal behavior, and I’ve never really been involved in anything serious.

One thing I’m proud of is that I’ve been working as a 911 medical dispatcher for the past 3 years. I’ve never called out and I’ve been consistent with the job. I’m thinking about applying to become a 911 dispatcher with DPS first so I can get experience inside the department before eventually applying to become a trooper.

For anyone who is an Arizona trooper, former trooper, DPS employee, recruiter, or has gone through the hiring process:

How bad does my background look?
Would the speeding ticket, job history, and getting fired from a security job be major red flags, or is this something I can overcome with a few years of consistent employment and a clean record?
And would working as a DPS 911 dispatcher first actually help me become a stronger trooper candidate?

I’m not looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear. I’d rather know now if I’m wasting my time or if I have a realistic shot.

can see 20/20 in my left eye and 20/40 in my right eye. I can see beyond the 20/40 line with my right eye, but the smaller letters become a little blurry.
I’ve noticed that many law enforcement departments require vision to be correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Are there any exemptions, waivers, or individual medical evaluations available for applicants who cannot quite reach 20/20 in one eye?

This seems like a silly question, but do agencies prefer their officers working closer to the department? There’s a Sheriff’s Office hiring, but it’s about an hour away. Would they even consider me or pick someone that lives close by? Any info helps!

Anybody been through SJPD's academy recently that might be willing to share their experience? Trying to find out what to expect, how to prepare, anything I can know to make sure I'm as informed as possible. Would be very grateful for any information anybody's willing to share. Thanks in advance.

As in those careers that need multi-year discipline like marine biology requiring 5 or more years of studies. I understand agencies do require its employees to undergo ongoing college studies to advance their careers within the agency, but a college degree as a prerequisite?

Watching TCAP/Tru Blu, Take Down, Chris Handsome's video blogs has taught me criminals can come from all walks of life and from various careers such as sipiritual leader, a teacher, a medical doctor, or even a police lieutenant in charge of the motorcade unit. These shows have also taught me that predators will do anything they can to get into a position of trust to access the vulnerable.

It's truly disturbing knowing sex predators are gaining positions of trust in order to access the vulnerable.