During the police screening process, what type of arrest on record do most departments reject applicants for?

• A. An adult or juvenile felony conviction
• B. A misdemeanor traffic violation
• C. A minor civil infraction
• D. A DUI without charges

Answer: (A)

Felony convictions are the strongest red flag in a police background check because they reflect a serious breach of law and a higher level of risk to public safety and trust. Departments look for reliability, honesty, and the ability to uphold the law consistently; a felony—whether from adulthood or juvenile status—usually signals a level of risk that cannot be easily reconciled with the duties of a police officer, so it is most likely to lead to disqualification.

Misdemeanors, minor civil infractions, or arrests without charges are considered in context and may be addressed through time, rehabilitation, or additional evaluation, rather than serving as automatic disqualifiers.

Arrests without charges, in particular, do not carry the same weight as a conviction, since they may not reflect proven wrongdoing.