u/Ashamed_Lynx5415

I’m 21 and I’m seriously considering trying to become an Arizona State Trooper. I’m wondering how my background would look during the hiring/background investigation and what I should do now to make myself a stronger candidate.

When I was 18, I hopped between a lot of jobs during my first few months. I was immature and didn’t really have a clear direction. I eventually worked security for about 7 months. I was later fired from another security company after a disagreement where I was told I was being disrespectful. I recorded the conversation because I felt like the people involved were attacking me, but I understand that recording it doesn’t automatically make me look good.
The biggest thing I’m worried about is a speeding ticket I got at 18. I was doing 113 in a 65 on a pretty empty/dry road. The sheriff gave me some slack and it was handled as a civil matter. I know that was stupid and dangerous, and I’m not trying to make excuses for it.

Other than that, I’ve never smoked weed or used drugs, never been expelled, never been arrested, never had police contact because of criminal behavior, and I’ve never really been involved in anything serious.

One thing I’m proud of is that I’ve been working as a 911 medical dispatcher for the past 3 years. I’ve never called out and I’ve been consistent with the job. I’m thinking about applying to become a 911 dispatcher with DPS first so I can get experience inside the department before eventually applying to become a trooper.

For anyone who is an Arizona trooper, former trooper, DPS employee, recruiter, or has gone through the hiring process:

How bad does my background look?
Would the speeding ticket, job history, and getting fired from a security job be major red flags, or is this something I can overcome with a few years of consistent employment and a clean record?
And would working as a DPS 911 dispatcher first actually help me become a stronger trooper candidate?

I’m not looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear. I’d rather know now if I’m wasting my time or if I have a realistic shot.

I came late to my first day of orientation because my car was stuck on the highway and my phone was dead so I had no chance of communication.

I’m 18, this is considered my first big boy job. They told me that I could start the next academy date which is next month.

I’ve been overthinking that they are going to fire me. The state troopers came, was useless and left in two minutes. zero help.

To my last post,

I was never diagnosed with depression or suicidal or went to any mental ward. I knew I had it because from 9-15 years old, I was extremely suicidal and extremely depressed I just never got the diagnosis because I was afraid of it.

Although I was never diagnosed, I’m 18 now, life has been beautiful these past years and haven’t had any problems with depression or suicidal thoughts, I was curious would I be automatically removed?

I’m from Arizona and I want to become a State Trooper. If this doesn’t explain well, check my other post or ask questions.

Short summary, never diagnosed with anything or went to a mental hospital. I want to become a state trooper. I’m 18 now. I want to know if I’d be DQ’d for it even if I was never diagnosed. I just basically thugged it out.

I’m a 18YM in Arizona, I had serve depression from the age of 9 to 15 years old with serve suicidal ideation and tendencies.

I’m 18 now, I never got admitted to a hospital or had any report done about me being suicidal or depressed, never been on medication or anything. I made it alive after that dark time of life and now I’m 18, I always wanted to be a State Trooper here but I was curious if I’d be DQ’d for my past suicidal thoughts and depression?

Now, be aware that I haven’t been suicidal or depressed in couple of years now. I just want to know so if yes I can prepare myself for another career in life.

What’s one piece of advice would you give to a 18 year old male, joining this field next week within the medical dispatch department.

I’d sincerely appreciate it, if you were 18 and a dispatcher, what would you tell your younger self?

18M here, and my goal is to become a police officer around 21. I’m wondering how much my past is going to hurt my chances and what I should be doing from this point forward.
Here’s my history:
In high school, I was suspended for fighting.
I received a civil traffic citation for going 118 in a 40. I was on my way to work as an EMT at the time, but obviously I know that speed was reckless regardless of the circumstances.
I was fired from a security job after losing property keys. I didn’t intentionally steal them, but I understand that losing them was my responsibility.
During high school, I also job-hopped pretty badly — sometimes staying at a job for only 2–3 weeks before moving on.
On the positive side, I don’t drink, smoke weed, use drugs, have a DUI, or have any accidents or anything like that. I’m currently working as a 911 dispatcher, and my plan is to stay there consistently until I’m 21 and build a solid employment record.
I’m trying to take my life more seriously now and stop making stupid decisions.
For current/former cops, recruiters, or anyone who has gone through a background investigation:
Are my chances of becoming a cop at 21 basically gone because of this history?
If not, what would you recommend I do over the next 2–3 years to put myself in the best possible position? I’m especially interested in what I should avoid, what kind of employment history looks good, and how much agencies care about things that happened when you were 16–18.
I’m not looking for someone to tell me everything is fine. If I realistically screwed myself, I’d rather hear that now. But if I still have a path forward, I’d like to know what I need to do to stay on it.

18M here, and my goal is to become a police officer around 21. I’m wondering how much my past is going to hurt my chances and what I should be doing from this point forward.
Here’s my history:
In high school, I was suspended for fighting.
I received a civil traffic citation for going 118 in a 40. I was on my way to work as an EMT at the time, but obviously I know that speed was reckless regardless of the circumstances.
I was fired from a security job after losing property keys. I didn’t intentionally steal them, but I understand that losing them was my responsibility.
During high school, I also job-hopped pretty badly — sometimes staying at a job for only 2–3 weeks before moving on.
On the positive side, I don’t drink, smoke weed, use drugs, have a DUI, or have any accidents or anything like that. I’m currently working as a 911 dispatcher, and my plan is to stay there consistently until I’m 21 and build a solid employment record.
I’m trying to take my life more seriously now and stop making stupid decisions.
For current/former cops, recruiters, or anyone who has gone through a background investigation:
Are my chances of becoming a cop at 21 basically gone because of this history?
If not, what would you recommend I do over the next 2–3 years to put myself in the best possible position? I’m especially interested in what I should avoid, what kind of employment history looks good, and how much agencies care about things that happened when you were 16–18.
I’m not looking for someone to tell me everything is fine. If I realistically screwed myself, I’d rather hear that now. But if I still have a path forward, I’d like to know what I need to do to stay on it.

18M here, and my goal is to become a police officer around 21. I’m wondering how much my past is going to hurt my chances and what I should be doing from this point forward.
Here’s my history:
In high school, I was suspended for fighting.
I received a civil traffic citation for going 118 in a 40. I was on my way to work as an EMT at the time, but obviously I know that speed was reckless regardless of the circumstances.
I was fired from a security job after losing property keys. I didn’t intentionally steal them, but I understand that losing them was my responsibility.
During high school, I also job-hopped pretty badly — sometimes staying at a job for only 2–3 weeks before moving on.
On the positive side, I don’t drink, smoke weed, use drugs, have a DUI, or have any accidents or anything like that. I’m currently working as a 911 dispatcher, and my plan is to stay there consistently until I’m 21 and build a solid employment record.
I’m trying to take my life more seriously now and stop making stupid decisions.
For current/former cops, recruiters, or anyone who has gone through a background investigation:
Are my chances of becoming a cop at 21 basically gone because of this history?
If not, what would you recommend I do over the next 2–3 years to put myself in the best possible position? I’m especially interested in what I should avoid, what kind of employment history looks good, and how much agencies care about things that happened when you were 16–18.
I’m not looking for someone to tell me everything is fine. If I realistically screwed myself, I’d rather hear that now. But if I still have a path forward, I’d like to know what I need to do to stay on it.

I’m 18 and was working as a security guard in Arizona. I was recently fired after losing a set of keys that belonged to the property where I was stationed.
The situation is basically this: while I was working, I genuinely believed I still had the keys. When my employer asked about them, I told them I had them because I honestly believed I did. Later, I realized that I actually didn’t have them and the keys were missing.
I never intentionally took the keys, gave them to anyone, sold them, or used them to access anything I wasn’t authorized to access. I genuinely lost them.
I was fired over the situation, which I understand from a security standpoint. The part that has me worried is that I’m now being threatened with being reported to the police for theft.
The only thing I signed when I was terminated was an acknowledgment that I would return my company-issued equipment. I returned what I had. The property keys weren’t listed as equipment on that document.
I’m not trying to avoid responsibility for losing the keys. I understand that losing keys is serious, especially in security. I’m just trying to understand whether this could actually be considered theft in Arizona when there was no intention to take or keep the keys.
Has anyone in security dealt with something similar? And for anyone familiar with Arizona law, what should I realistically expect if they actually make a police report?
I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for an attorney. I’m mainly looking for people who have been through something similar and can tell me what I should do next.

I’m 18 and was working as a security guard in Arizona. I was recently fired after losing a set of keys that belonged to the property where I was stationed.
The situation is basically this: while I was working, I genuinely believed I still had the keys. When my employer asked about them, I told them I had them because I honestly believed I did. Later, I realized that I actually didn’t have them and the keys were missing.
I never intentionally took the keys, gave them to anyone, sold them, or used them to access anything I wasn’t authorized to access. I genuinely lost them.
I was fired over the situation, which I understand from a security standpoint. The part that has me worried is that I’m now being threatened with being reported to the police for theft.
The only thing I signed when I was terminated was an acknowledgment that I would return my company-issued equipment. I returned what I had. The property keys weren’t listed as equipment on that document.
I’m not trying to avoid responsibility for losing the keys. I understand that losing keys is serious, especially in security. I’m just trying to understand whether this could actually be considered theft in Arizona when there was no intention to take or keep the keys.
Has anyone in security dealt with something similar? And for anyone familiar with Arizona law, what should I realistically expect if they actually make a police report?
I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for an attorney. I’m mainly looking for people who have been through something similar and can tell me what I should do next.

I’m 18 and was working as a security guard in Arizona. I was recently fired after losing a set of keys that belonged to the property where I was stationed.
The situation is basically this: while I was working, I genuinely believed I still had the keys. When my employer asked about them, I told them I had them because I honestly believed I did. Later, I realized that I actually didn’t have them and the keys were missing.
I never intentionally took the keys, gave them to anyone, sold them, or used them to access anything I wasn’t authorized to access. I genuinely lost them.
I was fired over the situation, which I understand from a security standpoint. The part that has me worried is that I’m now being threatened with being reported to the police for theft.
The only thing I signed when I was terminated was an acknowledgment that I would return my company-issued equipment. I returned what I had. The property keys weren’t listed as equipment on that document.
I’m not trying to avoid responsibility for losing the keys. I understand that losing keys is serious, especially in security. I’m just trying to understand whether this could actually be considered theft in Arizona when there was no intention to take or keep the keys.
Has anyone in security dealt with something similar? And for anyone familiar with Arizona law, what should I realistically expect if they actually make a police report?
I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for an attorney. I’m mainly looking for people who have been through something similar and can tell me what I should do next.

Hello,

In my state you can have a AR or a long gun at the age of 18, be qualified for an armed guard card. I have both, my new security job is a vehicle patrol in a sketchy assignment where they require you to carry your weapon in your vehicle. I’m 19, I want to be a police officer, but god forbid I ever have to use it, what happens?

I want to either accept or reject this position, I don’t want to go to prison for shooting someone while protecting another person life or property or protecting my own life. We carry body cams. Is the use of deadly force be protected if it’s self defense? Can someone spread some law knowledge to me please? I really do not know jackshit or why they even trusted me.

Hello. I’m looking for an American Paramedic where I can fly out for 3 days, I’m doing a personal story about your growing up and how you got into your profession and how you reflect from it.

Obviously there’s not so much details to it, but my team is preferably looking for someone who has been a paramedic over 15+ years. We own a very much large youtube channel over 750K subscribers talking about people first responders careers.

What we will cover:

- Business Flight
- 4/5 star hotel
- 80$ dollars daily for food
- Rental car (Enjoy the state of Arizona)
- Transportation to and back from hotel, interview studio, airport in a black luxury video.

Unfortunately this isn’t paid at all so you won’t be making money but everything will be covered. You can reach out to me and PM and I’ll send you a email to submit a small 2 minute video about yourself and your story.

FRMD Remembers:
**Name:** Sergio Romero
**EOW:** Wednesday, June 17, 2026
**Rank:** Trooper
**Age:** 27
**Department:** Texas Highway Patrol
**State:** Texas
**Activity Level:** On-Scene Traffic Stop

**Incident Details:**

Trooper Sergio Romero was killed in a vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 287 near Childress, Texas.

Around 4:00 p.m., Trooper Romero was attempting to pull over a vehicle when a tractor-trailer pulled out in front of his patrol vehicle. He died at the scene.

Trooper Romero had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol for nine months and previously served with the Hall County Sheriff's Office. Survivors include his wife and two sons.

**Cause of Death:** Struck By A Vehicle
**Nature of Death:** Unknown
**Duty Type:** On Scene
**Incident Date:** Wednesday, June 17, 2026

G’day everyone.

I am 18 years old, I was in Kenya for two years to which my parents worked with the ambassadors in Kenya very closely so I was in the United States Embassy a lot, while I was there I always seen Marines, I found out they was Marine Security Guard.

I was curious, what are the requirements, how hard it is, any advice for someone like me that wants to join? I’m 6’3, just curious on the steps about it. My recruiters are being dickheads and not explaining it well.

G’day everyone.

I am 18 years old, I was in Kenya for two years to which my parents worked with the ambassadors in Kenya very closely so I was in the United States Embassy a lot, while I was there I always seen Marines, I found out they was Marine Security Guard.

I was curious, what are the requirements, how hard it is, any advice for someone like me that wants to join? I’m 6’3, just curious on the steps about it. My recruiters are being dickheads and not explaining it well.

Can you explain MSG duty for me?

I’m new to this reddit stuff, but I’m hearing/seeing “I’m 18, just applied to be a police officer” … What departments are hiring at 18…

tell me about it as a 18 year old aspiring ot be a cop

I applied for Scottsdale Police Aide recently, this is in Arizona Scottsdale. I was just curious on what I should work on and how I should be a better applicant. I’m only 18, just trying to put my foot out the door.