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Posted by: Cklein543

I am 22 yrs old and will be graduating college in one yr with a business management degree. I actually do not want to go into business but become a police officer. I am just kind of confused and overwhelmed by the whole process. What do I need to do in order to become an officer.

Another thing is that i was arrested when i was 18 for possession of a class D. I got continuance without a finding and "charges were dropped". Will this appear on my record? and i know to be honest about it. Any information would be great....thanks guys

Posted by: laxball33

That's a tough one. I honestly don't know one person who's on the job who has a possession charge against them, even though it was CWAF'd, it will still be on your BOP. I'm not saying that you'll never be able to get a police job, but I just haven't heard about it. I'm sure there are people out there though. Just be ready to explain it and chaulk it up to stupid kid stuff and I don't know why it would be a huge deal. God knows that we all weren't angels back in the day, myself included. Good luck.

Posted by: bluesamurai22

The conviction will remain with the Board of Probation (as a sealed record) and the record of the arrest and prosecution will always be with whatever police department(s) dealt with you.

Keep going to school, be a model citizen and keep taking the Civil Service police exams. You might get hired many years from now.

Personally, if I had someone in their late 20's - early 30's come in with great references, great work and school records and only this in their past I would give them a chance. If you came in today I would probably tell you to come back in a few years.

You should look at these 2 statutes:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/94c-34.htm

"...
If any person who is charged with a violation of this section has not previously been convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter or other provision of prior law relative to narcotic drugs or harmful drugs as defined in said prior law, or of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States relating to such drugs, has had his case continued without a finding to a certain date, or has been convicted and placed on probation, and if, during the period of said continuance or of said probation, such person does not violate any of the conditions of said continuance or said probation, then upon the expiration of such period the court may dismiss the proceedings against him, and may order sealed all official records relating to his arrest, indictment, conviction, probation, continuance or discharge pursuant to this section; provided, however, that departmental records which are not public records, maintained by police and other law enforcement agencies, shall not be sealed; and provided further, that such a record shall be maintained in a separate file by the department of probation solely for the purpose of use by the courts in determining whether or not in subsequent proceedings such person qualifies under this section. The record maintained by the department of probation shall contain only identifying information concerning the person and a statement that he has had his record sealed pursuant to the provisions of this section.

Any conviction, the record of which has been sealed under this section, shall not be deemed a conviction for purposes of any disqualification or for any other purpose.

No person as to whom such sealing has been ordered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge such arrest, indictment, conviction, dismissal, continuance, sealing, or any other related court proceeding, in response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.

Notwithstanding any other penalty provision of this section, any person who is convicted for the first time under this section for the possession of marihuana or a controlled substance in Class E and who has not previously been convicted of any offense pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or any provision of prior law relating to narcotic drugs or harmful drugs as defined in said prior law shall be placed on probation unless such person does not consent thereto, or unless the court files a written memorandum stating the reasons for not so doing. Upon successful completion of said probation, the case shall be dismissed and records shall be sealed. ..."

and

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/94c-44.htm

Posted by: 94c

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the record becomes "unsealed" when it comes time to get his License to Carry.

Posted by: bluesamurai22

10-4

Good question for the Yahoo Firearms group. The statute says it can't be a disqualifier for anything.

I'm not a licensing guy but I believe that a CWOF under this would not be a disqualifier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94c

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the record becomes "unsealed" when it comes time to get his License to Carry.

Posted by: bluesamurai22

Searched the MA Firearms archives and Chief Glidden put this out regarding 94c - 34:

Ron & List,

OK, here's the scoop on sealed records as relayed to me this morning by CHSB.
There are no changes. They continue to notify us for sealed records with
convictions which are disqualifiers pursuant to CH 180 (only to say they are
disqualified not what the offense is). When we have a sealed record that is a
disqualifier, we are notified by probation/CHSB as we have always been. The
issue you raised is in regards to a first offense marijuana conviction which
when pursuant to the statute, the record is adjudicated sealed, it is not
considered a conviction by probation so they do not notify us that there is a
disqualification. So it's not that they don't tell us of disqualifications for
sealed records, it's just that in this particular case the offense is not
considered a conviction and/or disqualifier.

Ron

Posted by: Cklein543

If I'm going to need to wait to become a police officer does apply for a corrections job aswell? I took the correction officer I exam about a yr and a half ago and did very well. I received two cards to go for an interview. I never did go but am considering taking the test again and maybe doing that for awhile.

Will my previous arrest affect a corrections job as well?

Posted by: K9Vinny

Whether it disqualifies you or not is not really the issue. Countless applicants apply for law enforcement jobs and hiring authorities want to hire the most qualified. I have no doubt that there will always be an as qualified applicant without a marijuana arrest on his/her record. I believe that the job should go to that person instead. Yes, it might have been a childish mistake, but the fact that you got pinched for it tells more to the story. I personally, would feel a little uncomfortable working with you. Sorry, but my thoughts.

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