you should be allowed if it has been a very long time since you were in trouble and have exhibited trust since the time of the trouble that you had, and if the trouble was'nt serious. I personally had some troubles in my youth, but you don't think the same when you are young, and if your trouble was'nt that serious you should be given the chance. Being a police officer has been a dream all of my life, and I would appreciate the chance to show that I am honest now and that people do change their lives around for the best. For the person that has had some minor troubles and has straightened up, you've seen the difference in good and bad and that just may help somebody not make the same mistakes you have made and maybe prevent any future trouble with a young person. If any police officers read this, I would like to see what you think about this. Just because you were stupid in your youth, thats does'nt mean it always carries on to adulthood. If I were to get the chance to be an officer, the most important thing for me is to prove to everyone that people can change and do a good job for the community and prove everyone wrong by your good efforts, and have a good job at the same time.

you have to have your record expunged in order to consider a career in law enforcement. If the felonies aren't that serious, it is possible, I am going through the process at the moment.

The answer is yes, but it is unlikely. Each state/county has their own policy as to what crimes will disqualify a candidate. Usually, a felony will disqualify you on the basis that a convicted felon cannot own a firearm, which would make it impossible to be a cop. However, you can get your right to carry a weapon reinstated. A summary of these requirements can be found on the websites of many police agencies. For example, the Arkansas State Police site states: "A conviction for any felony is cause for denial. A felony is any crime for which a person could be sentenced to prison for more than one (1) year. In most cases, the only recourse from this problem is to acquire a pardon, with specific restoration of firearms rights, from the Governor of the state in which the conviction took place. According to Arkansas Attorney General's Opinion #96-247, an "expungement" or "sealing" of a felony conviction does not remove conviction for purposes of obtaining a concealed handgun license." http://www.asp.arkansas.gov/divisions/rs/rs_chl.html

I would like to inform once again the unaware, that depending on the nature of your charge whether it be violent or a misdemeanor plus three=felony, anyone has the right to pursue their dream. What we call these people that say absolutely NO are what we call "dream stealers" don't listen to them. Granite if you are a convicted rapist or sex offender no you unfortunately can't become a law enforcement officer, or if you've been charged with murder or grand larson, no, it would be very hard to get that expunged. What many don't realize is that in order to become a law enforcement officer in many states you must pass a poly graph test, which from what I've experienced is VERY intense. A career in Corrections and the Deputy sherif's department is a little easier to get into. I am currently a criminal justice student, I've done my research so I know what I'm talking about. But as my patrons have said, there are some states that just won't allow it, some are a little more forgiving. For instance, I got in three verbal arguments with my wife, got arrested three different times and got three misdemeanor charges which equalled a felony, I am now getting them expunged because the actual crimes were not physically violent. It all depends on the charge but I bless those that have turned their lives around and want to pursue this career, I hope this helps.

Yes in certain states. Sadly. I was an officer/detective for 9 years. This disturbs me.

There is an advertisement in the newspaper for Ridgway Pennsylvania for a local police officer. Minimum requirements are a highschool diploma or GED. A valid PA drivers license and to live close by for at minimum 6 months. That is insane. They carry deadly weapons and have no training. A Doctor, nurse, pharmacist, beautican etc has alicense check that any person can check on their license and they are accountable to that license. Where is the reporting web site for checking on Police backgrounds? Professionals as listed require college education and State testing and many educational requirements to keep licensing up..Police don't. Some police do have military experience, some have college educations, some attended police academies....but not all. Some are great people who sincerely want to help keep us safe...but not all. I was told that New York City is so desperate for city police that they hire convicted felones...not personally sure if it is true but I was told it was true by a person in law enforcement. felones get pardoned and that is how they get their rights back so they can carry the weapons then...it is just as though it never happened. I am all for giving second chances to people who fail and change to improve their life but these people should not carry guns and be in a position of power over us nor should a convicted drug person become a doctor or nurse...but many do get pardoned and handle controlled substances. It is not right.

i see all the time corrupt political figures, get convicted but they still have their jobs. why cant felons have second chances with non-violent crimes. and time that has built trust has elapsed. just recently a cop from where i'm from judged me for being a felon, 12yrs ago with not even a speeding ticket since. now he has 2 felony charges for beating girlfriend and threatning to kill her. we are people that deserve a second chance to have the same opportunity as the next who knows whether who will be good or bad? this was a good guy who just turned from cop to felon in a second. i am in no means judging him for his actions, everyone has some problems, just people who have experienced life in a bad way knows when bad can come and walks away from bad situations immediatly. because they can see it for what it is.so my answer is yes you can become a cop if your record is pardoned by state govenor if convicted on a state charge, federal the president has to do it which is highly unlikely. if you do get pardoned by state level, full pardon with all rights restored, if political figures know you were a felon it could be bad on them for election time, chief hires a ex-con in the news paper is not good for ones career in a political standpoint. but never give up with God all things are possible!

The answer is no. In the united states felons can not carry a firearm

Convicted felons - even murderers - can become lawyers (UNLESS your crime was practicing law without a license), so why not cops? (FYI, in the US, you can murder someone, go to trial, be convicted, serve your time, get out on parole, go to law school, and join the Bar, before you'd be out of jail for practicing law without a license. What a country!)

It all depends on the Department policies. Most do not allow person's with felony convictions. Most Human resource managers at a Police Department, Sheriffs Department, Department of Corrections, even recruiters from the US Army want to know: what did the crime involve, have you been arrested for other law violations and the number one thing is how does it read on your criminal record? I think if you have a felony on your record the best thing you can do is go through the process of getting a pardon from the state you committed the crime. Every state offers a pardon from the Gov's office. There are only a few states that offer expungement of criminal records. Note: a pardon does not seal or erase a conviction. A pardon is the governor’s forgiveness of the crime you committed and is noted with your criminal record. The right's you lost as a felon are reinstated and that felony conviction can not be used against you in any hiring practice. Well some employers will and not tell you that’s the reason. Hope this helps

You lie!

No. Not in Tennessee. Would you trust a convicted felon to wear a badge and gun and protect your family at night, while you are asleep? Not me.

The US ARMY has lowered there standard several times in the past wars we have been in. There are thousands of convicted felons that were or now receiving waivers to get into the military. If a felon can fight for there country, lay down there lives and protect our freedoms with a weapon and wearing a military uniform, why can't they wear the uniform of a police officer, a sheriff’s deputy or a correctional officer? Just a thought.