Kara Sears
A criminal record can be a significant obstacle when pursuing a career in law enforcement, and the impact it will have on your job prospects depends on various factors. These include the nature of the offense, whether it was a felony or misdemeanor, and the laws and policies of the state and department you're applying to. While some police departments may disqualify candidates with felony convictions, others may consider certain cases on an individual basis. Additionally, there are civilian law enforcement roles that may be more accessible to individuals with felony records.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Impact of a felony arrest | May not be a dealbreaker, but may depend on circumstances |
| Impact of a felony conviction | Steep odds against landing a job |
| Impact of a misdemeanor | May not be a dealbreaker, but may depend on the type and number of misdemeanors |
| Impact of a juvenile conviction | May not be disqualifying |
| Impact of an expunged conviction | May not be enough, strict states may still prohibit employment |
| Impact of a pardoned conviction | May be allowed, but depends on the department |
| Impact of a felony on federal jobs | Fewer barriers to civilian law enforcement jobs |
| Impact of a felony on state jobs | Varies from state to state |
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What You'll Learn
Law enforcement jobs for felons
A criminal record, especially a felony conviction, can be a significant barrier to a career in law enforcement. However, it is not always a dealbreaker, and there may be ways to pursue a career in this field or a related area.
Background Checks and Criminal Records
Firstly, it is important to understand that most law enforcement agencies will conduct thorough background checks, which include criminal history. This means that a felony conviction will likely be discovered and could be a red flag for employers. Being open and honest about your past is crucial, and you may have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding any conviction.
Arrest vs. Conviction
A key distinction to make is between an arrest and a conviction. Being arrested and charged with a felony is different from being convicted and sentenced. In the former case, you may not be proven guilty, and this may not appear on your record. However, a felony conviction will show up on a background check and is a more serious obstacle to employment.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors, while less severe than felonies, can also impact your chances. Multiple misdemeanors or severe misdemeanors, such as driving under the influence (DUI), can be a problem. Some misdemeanors may be reduced to infractions, which are minor offences like traffic tickets.
Juvenile Records and Pardons
Juvenile convictions are generally not an automatic disqualification, and some states, like California, specifically state that juvenile convictions are not disqualifying for law enforcement roles. Similarly, pardons can make a difference, and some states may allow pardoned felons to become police officers, though this is ultimately up to the individual department.
Law Enforcement Jobs
While most police departments and law enforcement groups will not hire convicted felons, there are exceptions. For example, the Chicago PD and San Francisco PD have been mentioned as possibilities. Additionally, civilian law enforcement roles may be more attainable, such as crime scene investigators, child protection investigators, criminal research specialists, or private investigators. Non-profit organizations may also offer opportunities in victim services or crime prevention.
Other Criminal Justice Careers
If you are unable to pursue a law enforcement career, there are other criminal justice careers to consider. These include college professor, criminology expert, private detective, bond enforcement agent, paralegal, or computer expert. However, even some of these options, like college professor, may be challenging with a felony record.
In summary, while a felony conviction can significantly impact your chances of a law enforcement career, there may be pathways to achieving your goals, depending on the specifics of your record and the opportunities available in your state.
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Background checks
The background check process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. This process is much longer than for a typical office or retail job due to the number of steps involved. The length of the process also depends on the applicant's background; a younger applicant with less history will generally take less time to process than a multi-department veteran applying to a new jurisdiction.
The background check will investigate the applicant's previous employment, criminal history, credit history, educational background, military service, drug screening, and personal references. Some agencies may also require a psychological screening to evaluate the applicant's fitness for the job, particularly if they will be placed in dangerous and stressful situations. This screening may involve a personality assessment, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory (MMPI), to screen for issues like anxiety, depression, anger, and antisocial behaviour.
Agencies may also conduct social media checks and review an applicant's search history to assess their character and behaviour. In addition, some agencies require polygraph tests for high-security positions.
While the specific criteria for disqualification may vary between agencies, certain factors, such as a felony conviction, will generally disqualify an applicant from a law enforcement role. However, there may be exceptions, such as in California, where juvenile convictions are not disqualifying, or in cases where a felony conviction has been pardoned.
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Juvenile convictions
While it is difficult to find police departments that hire felons, juvenile convictions may not be an automatic disqualifier for a career in law enforcement. Police departments have access to and do check juvenile records during the hiring process, and failure to disclose any juvenile arrests may result in disqualification. However, some departments may consider applicants with juvenile arrests, especially if the crimes were less serious and occurred a long time ago.
The Seattle, Washington Police Department, for example, values honesty during the hiring process, and the Lancaster, TX Police Department considers the seriousness of the crime leading to the arrest. Petty theft or underage drinking may be more easily overlooked than violent crimes.
Additionally, some states, like California, do not consider juvenile convictions as disqualifying. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), on the other hand, deems individuals ineligible for police jobs if they have been convicted, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a felony. However, a pardoned felon may still have a chance, though the decision lies with the individual department.
In general, law enforcement agencies use their discretion when reviewing past infractions, considering factors such as the time passed since the incident, the severity and type of offense, and any mitigating factors like community service or work demonstrating a commitment to society. Seeking an official pardon, getting a record sealed or expunged, and demonstrating rehabilitation through education or other means can also improve one's chances.
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Pardons and expungement
A felony conviction will usually disqualify you from working in law enforcement. However, there are some exceptions.
Pardons
A presidential pardon is the only means by which a person convicted of a federal felony may obtain relief. If you receive a pardon, the felony on your federal criminal record is forgiven, and any penalty you may be serving, including prison time, will immediately come to an end. The felony will still appear on your record, but it will be treated as a legal nullity, and any mandated restrictions on ex-convicts will not apply to you.
Expungement
Expungement is a judicial remedy that is rarely granted by the court and cannot be granted within the Department of Justice or by the President. If granted, your criminal record is essentially thrown away, and you can deny ever having a conviction. Unfortunately, expunging federal felony records is not possible in most cases. Under 18 U.S.C. 3607(c), only a person who is guilty of a minor drug offense under the Controlled Substances Act may have their record expunged.
State-specific variations
State laws vary, and some states do not break down crimes in the same way. What one state classifies as a misdemeanor may be a felony in another state. Some states also have specific provisions for convictions in juvenile court, which may not be disqualifying. For example, California has a minimum standard of good moral character for police officers, and any act from your past that reflects poorly on your moral character may be grounds for denial of employment.
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Civilian law enforcement roles
A criminal record or a history of arrests may not be a dealbreaker for aspiring law enforcement officers. However, a felony conviction will significantly reduce your chances of landing a job in this field. If you have a felony conviction, you may want to consider civilian law enforcement roles, which offer a similar level of fulfillment and job satisfaction as traditional law enforcement roles.
While some police departments may judge applicants with past convictions on a case-by-case basis, a felony conviction will show up in the results of a background check. Background checks are a necessary part of the hiring process for law enforcement positions, as they ensure that only qualified candidates of integrity and trust are selected.
In addition to background checks, many law enforcement agencies also require candidates to undergo psychological evaluations to assess their character and outward behavior. These evaluations help identify any signs of impairment that may hinder an individual's ability to enforce the law effectively.
Although a felony conviction may limit your career options in law enforcement, it is important to remember that expungement, pardon, and other ways of sealing records can improve your chances. However, some states with strict requirements may still prohibit your employment in law enforcement even if your conviction was expunged.
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Frequently asked questions
Most police departments and law enforcement groups will not hire anyone convicted of a felony. However, there are exceptions. For example, California allows convictions in juvenile court, and a pardoned felon may be considered for a position in law enforcement, although it is up to the individual department to decide.
A felony arrest may not be a dealbreaker, but a conviction will significantly reduce your chances of landing a job in law enforcement. If you were arrested but not convicted, some police departments may still find you acceptable, depending on the circumstances.
This depends on the type of misdemeanor. Severe misdemeanors such as driving under the influence (DUI) are a big red flag. Certain misdemeanors, including those that cause a loss of firearm rights, may result in automatic disqualification. However, a misdemeanor may not automatically disqualify you, and some departments may be willing to overlook them, especially if they occurred some time ago.
Yes, there are civilian law enforcement roles that may be more accessible for people with felony convictions. These include crime scene investigators, child protection investigators, criminal research specialists, private investigators, asset protection managers, crime prevention specialists, and victim services advocates.
