Can a person who has been arrested become a certified peace officer in Arizona?
AZPOST looks to a person’s conduct rather than the arrest record to determine suitability to be a peace officer. It is the commission of crimes that concerns AZPOST. Commission of crimes demonstrates a willingness or propensity to do illegal things. This shows a lack of respect for the law. Applicants will be asked to list all police contacts, whether as a suspect, witness or otherwise. Applicants will also be asked to disclose all undiscovered crimes, things that nobody but the applicant may even know about it. Complete disclosure and truthfulness on these questions is usually more important than what is disclosed. The only absolute bar to certification is the conviction of a felony. Other offenses will be reviewed on a case by case basis to see how the conduct reflects on the public trust in the profession and the ability of the individual to perform the duties of a peace officer, such as to testify credibly in court. Applicants’ answers to all background questions are tested and ver
