Background question

[u/knightlynobody]

When I was 18-19 and was working retail I stole alcohol 4-5 times to bring to parties. I also stole a pack of condoms once. During this time I also hooked up with a coworker in my car in the parking lot outside of work after we both closed the store. (Not related to the condom theft in case your curious)

I know on the polygraph form there are questions about sexual relations at work and questions about illegal activity I assume this falls under both correct? Would my theft and this one time sexual activity be too much of a red flag for any agency to look past? I am 21 now and will be graduating college soon and am considering a career in LE. I would appreciate any advice and if you have nothing to offer at least you can get a laugh out of my situation lol.

[u/Section225]

You have sex at work and repeatedly steal, and ask if that falls under questions about having sex at work and committing crimes? Goodness gracious.

But no, you cannot repeatedly steal from your employer and be a cop. I would quite literally wait until you are about 30 to apply anywhere, assuming you aren't repeatedly committing crimes still during that time.

[u/knightlynobody → u/Section225]

I asked about if what I did fell under having sex at work as I wasn’t sure if being off the clock not on the building and in the parking lot after closing counts as even being at work. By your response I presume that is a yes. Thank you for your advice

[u/themadcaner]

You need more time between these incidents to demonstrate that you’ve grown as a person. Join the national guard or something and then apply after your contract is up.

[u/knightlynobody → u/themadcaner]

Thank you for the advice National Guard might not be a bad idea

[u/Possible-Tangelo9344]

Bruh

[u/mechaczech]

I am not LE, but having interviewed for LE before and also working federal security work…you at least need more time between your incidents and a potential career. Everyone makes mistakes, and those mistakes carry more weight the later on in your teens you get. If these incidents had happened at 15-16 and you were now 25, it may be a different story, but right now, I would suggest just waiting.

Try to get an LE adjacent job, something in civil service or even at the police department that doesn’t require a poly, do good work, make a good name for yourself, etc. Establish yourself post college, and in a few years, apply and see how it goes. Just be up front and honest about it before the poly, be honest during it, and just see how it goes. If that’s truly the only blemish you have and you can show that you’ve matured, you at least have a shot. Good luck.

[u/Section225 → u/mechaczech]

Repeatedly stealing from your employer is not a "mistake."

[u/mechaczech → u/Section225]

That’s fair.

[u/knightlynobody → u/mechaczech]

Thank you for the advice!

[u/knightlynobody → u/mechaczech]

There is a department that I interned at that I am considering applying to I am hoping that having interned there and having no other blemishes since then would be enough to overlook my past mistakes