Can an ex-felon become a police officer?

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There are many people around the country who have interest in becoming a police officer. They want to help protect the public, restore order, and maybe they even like the adrenaline rush of chasing after someone to apprehend a suspect in a crime. But when it comes to someone who has spent time in a jail or prison, the rules may be a little different for them when it comes to whether or not they can become a police officer after serving their time.

Ideally, once you serve your time in prison or jail you should be able to go on with your life as you please. After all, you paid your debt to society, served your sentence, and things should be open to you. But that’s not the way it always works once you have been convicted of a felony. There are some things that you cannot do once you are a convicted felon.

Can an ex-felon become a police officer?

The short answer to this question is no. The laws on the books bar you from being able to become a police officer once you have been convicted of a felony. It may not seem fair, but that is the way the law works at this time. In the future, perhaps someone will fight to get it changed, but until then, ex-felons are not allowed to become police officers.

If you have a criminal record you may still be able to become a police officer. Having a criminal record and being an ex-felon is not the same thing. Having a criminal record means you have been convicted of, or found guilty of, some type of crime. That crime remains on your record, but depending on what type of crime it was it may or may not keep you from being able to do things like become a police officer.

Those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor may still be able to become a police officer. They will have a criminal record, but because it is a misdemeanor they may still be eligible to become a police officer. It is important to know whether or not you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony, so that you know if you can become a police officer.

The Difference in Types of Crimes

If you are wondering what the difference is between a misdemeanor and a felony you are not alone. Many people wonder what the difference is and it is good know if you have a criminal record. The type of crime you have been convicted of can make a difference when it comes to being able to do certain things, including whether or not you can become a police officer.

A misdemeanor is a less serious crime. Typically speaking, the most time being incarcerated you can get for a misdemeanor is 12 months. Often times, there are no jail sentences when being convicted of a misdemeanor. Those who have such offenses may get some jail time, but they may also have to pay fines, be on probation, etc. The types of crimes that are often considered misdemeanors include driving under the influence, trespassing, prostitution, shoplifting, and vandalism. There are others, but that gives you an idea of what they are.

A felony is considered a more serious type of crime and it usually has tougher sentencing that comes with it. Those with a felony can spend years in prison, be on probation, have to pay fines, etc. A felony often involves violence, with such examples as robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping, burglary, etc. Some cases of driving under the influence can be considered felonies as well.

Those who are convicted of a misdemeanor will find that the punishment is not as severe, and they can still do most things once they have served their sentence. Those who are convicted for a felony will find that that the punishment is more severe, and there are often restrictions that will follow them for the rest of their life, even after they have served their sentence.

The Laws about Becoming a Police Officer

Once someone has been convicted of a felony they will not be able to become a police officer. Even if the person goes years without having any type of criminal issues, and is an exemplary person in the community they will not be able to become a police officer. This is because the laws in the country bar those who have been convicted of a felony from being able to carry a gun.

Police officers in America carry guns, so the people who the police department hires need to be able to carry a gun. Ex-felons are not allowed to legally carry a gun, so it prevents police departments from being able to hire those who have been convicted of a felony. It is not likely that you could find a police department in the country that would allow an ex-felon to work there, even if they didn’t carry the gun, because they would be around a lot of guns on the job.

What to Do Next

So what do you do if you have your heart set on being a police officer? You will have to either try to change the law, so that ex-felons are allowed to be police officers, or choose another route. If you feel strongly that ex-felons should be able to become police officers you can make changing the law a mission. That’s how laws get changed, so don’t think that there is no chance of changing it.

If you would like to work in that type of field, you do have other options. You may be able to be hired as a security guard. There are companies that hire people to work security jobs and plenty of them do not carry guns. A security guard company that does not have their employees carry guns may be open to hiring an ex-felon, so be sure to check into the possibilities.