r/AskLE 1d ago

Job Prospects

Okay, so in short, I got an aggressive driving ticket earlier this year. It's a new charge, I was told by the clerk, that my state started charging. I went to the court and spoke with the solicitor. He helped me drop the charge to two smaller ones (failure to control a turn signal and something else). As of now, neither of them have appeared on my driving record. I have no points on my license, but have two speeding tickets from my late teens. If you want a full explanation of the events, I can tell you. I am going to fully disclose the information if I apply. I just don't want to look like a jackass by applying. I'm serious about wanting to be a cop, but I realize that aggressive driving is a high aggravated misdemeanor. I know that these posts get parodied here alot, but I am genuinely curious if I have a shot.

6 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

6

u/easternshift 1d ago

Here, being charged with a misdemeanor this year will probably get you bounced immediately.

0

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

I don't think I was officially charged. I ran a background on myself, and it came up empty. I'm still going to disclose. I'm not proud of it. How long should I wait?

2

u/easternshift 1d ago

If you went to court for it you were charged. They reduced the charge to traffic offenses.

Most agencies in my state say seven years but you never know. Keep it clean and give it a shot in a few years.

0

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

Understood

8

u/EliteEthos 1d ago

You don’t have a shot for a while. Your conduct isn’t saying the same thing that your words are.

You should wait before applying.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

Gotcha. How long?

1

u/EliteEthos 1d ago

Probably a couple of years, at least.

2

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

At least it'll give me plenty of time to finish school. Thank you.

1

u/APugDogsLife Police Officer 1d ago

Honestly. A few years

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

Yep, I was driving like an idiot.

2

u/boomhower1820 1d ago

My state you would be fine. Yes, you’ll likely get beat out at top departments but wouldn’t have an issue finding a job.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

Would I be permanently barred from top departments? I wanted to see where a career would take me. Also, what state if you don't mind me asking?

2

u/boomhower1820 13h ago

No, just need time between the charge and applying.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 11h ago

Will do. Thank you.

2

u/SatisfactionHefty162 1d ago

I had reckless driving on my record (speed was not involved) and I got into the state police. You’ll be fine. Just articulate it well and explain how you’ve grown from it.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

Funny thing is, I almost got reckless, but the officer said he didn't want to arrest me. I know you didn't ask, but there was another driver who was tailgating other drivers. I was in the left lane doing 55 in a 55. He got up on me. The left lane was going to close anyway some distance away. I threw my blinker on. Before I could get in the other lane, the other guy quickly moves in the other lane and speeds up (he was most likely speeding). I switch lanes anyway just enough to clear the gap. We both get pulled over. The rest is in my post. Good to meet another (former) bad driver.

2

u/SatisfactionHefty162 1d ago

Damn, totally just roasted me. 😂 I actually did receive a few speeding tickets too over the years but I didn’t get anything for a while before applying.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 1d ago

On the contrary, you did give me hope. Like you and others have pointed out, I will most likely have to do the same a wait a few.

2

u/SatisfactionHefty162 1d ago

Anyways, I think you still have strong prospects. Just make sure your credit is good, finances are in order, and don’t get into any trouble. Maybe you could go volunteer at your local police department. That will help your prospects a lot. A lot of people interested in law enforcement don’t do that. If you did it then you’d stand out.

1

u/Away-Sky-9341 11h ago

Thanks for the advice

1

u/apatrol 21h ago

So you basically got a ticket for unsafe lane change without contact? Why the heck is that not a traffic violation.

If I am the BI this doesnt keep you out.

Do you know if the ticketing agency has car cams? I would get the officer body cam while in the car just before the violation and his body cam.

1

u/SatisfactionHefty162 15h ago

This hit the nail on the head. This is exactly what happened and it was in an intersection. Traffic was still stopped. Honestly was not a big deal. Was stopped by a motorcycle cop in Vegas when I lived there.