Hi there,

We can all make mistakes, and sometimes this can lead to getting in trouble. It’s natural to feel worried about the future, but getting in trouble with the police doesn’t mean your career will always be affected.

When someone applies to be a police officer, the police will do a vetting process. This is when they check someone is suitable. These checks can include someone’s physical health, social media profiles, and whether their family and friends have criminal convictions. The police will also check whether someone has been arrested, convicted, or cautioned.

Being in trouble with the police doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be able to become a police officer, especially when you haven’t been convicted. You can find out more about that here.

Police know that just because you’ve been in trouble before, you can still change and be a good police officer in the future. If you do apply, it’s important to be open and honest about any interactions you’ve had before.

It’s great to think about your future and your career. It can feel scary when you’re uncertain about what will happen, but there’s lots of support there to help. Lots of schools will have a careers advisor to help you, you can also get support from the National Careers Service.

Everyone can go through difficult situations and times, but with the right support things can change. Remember, your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Take care,

Sam