This topic was first posted on FireCritic.com here: http://firecritic.com/2010/11/should-sex-offenders-be-firefighters-...

Can Sex Offenders be firefighters? Should sex offenders be firefighters? What about pardoned ones?

I am currently working on a story and one of the intriguing details is that a current firefighter WAS a convicted sex offender. The person was pardoned and is not a registered sex offender. The offense was bad (they all are). The offense
happened 30 years ago prior to the current laws that protect us from
these criminals. Should he be allowed to be a firefighter?


Here are my thoughts. Sex offenders should not be firefighters. I do not know of a National standard or regulation on this issue. However, if this man was pardoned and the infraction occurred prior to current
regulations should he/she still be punished for a crime they was
pardoned for? After all, they were pardoned and basically the crime is
no longer part of their wrap sheet (hopefully there is nothing else).
This is basically a loophole due to previously lackadaisical laws.


I just wonder if fire departments can legally disqualify someone from being a firefighter for something that might not show up on their background check. I am not sure it would in this case, but what if
someone brought it to the FD’s attention.


The questions are:

  • Should sex offenders be allowed to be firefighters? What about EMT’s?
  • Should previously pardoned sex offenders be allowed to be firefighters?
  • What about EMT’s?
  • Does your department look for this information in their background checks?

Here are some articles I found on the topic of sex offender/firefighters:

NSOPR – National Sex Offender Public Registry

FBI Sex Offender Registry

You might remember a while back that I posted a question on Firefighter Nation about Felons being firefighters. That discussion continues to spark interest from time to time and the conversation is rehashed. My answer remains to be NO. Several people
said that it depended on the crime. My reply….Name a GOOD Felony! I
didn’t think so. Felonies are felonies for a reason. They are crimes.


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Replies to This Discussion

Ralph, I was just saying "I" did not know of any, now I do. I know they can follow you but usually do not keep you out. Thanks
Ms. Perfect has had a ticket!!! What in the heck are you doing as a firefighter, I think you should do the honorable thing and resign ASAP! No one could possibly trust you now.
Whoa!! WTF, now it is getting complicated.
Bravo!
Brian you are so, so mean!
Holy Crap! 3 speeding tickets? Talk about an irresponsible attitude towards life and safety. After all of your holier than thou preaching you admit that you are above the law by continuing to speed. Wanton disregard for life if you ask me. But I'm sure you had "reasons".
As for "Jack opinions are like a**holes. We all have one, but does that mean you really have to act like one?" I'd suggest you take a long hard look in your mirror, way up there in your ivory tower. Or maybe two mirrors, one north and one south, so you can see the comparison.
Gregory,
I don't think someone that has, not once, not twice, but three times been caught (and fined for) speeding yet comes in here and pontificates on her high moral standards is ever going to see anything grey. Which is a surprise because while speeding, everything tends to blur into greys. What do you want to be she talks (no hands-free) and texts while driving as well. A complete scofflaw I suspect.
hahaha. What if the offender is a midget (little person) and had one eye. Perhaps the size of the offending person made it appear that the girl that he was with physically was more his age.

Now THAT is complicated.
again Patti one must realize that Opinions are like assholes...we all have one and they all stink.....
Paul, traffic tickets are not misdemeanors, unless it is reckless driving or alcohol related.

Jack, I understand your point, but the difference between murder and manslaughter can be a plea bargain. Doesn't mean someone isn't guilty of murder, just that they plea bargained to a lesser offense.

And as minute as it might seem, the line has to be drawn somewhere.
Exactly, I had a young man who received a reckless for not slowing down while passing a trooper on a traffic stop. Insurance company was going to make me purchase a rider or not allow him to drive one of my vehicles.

After explaining the situation to the insurance company, they let it drop.

So misdemeanors--as a reckless ticket is--can make a huge difference if one's position was EO.

As an aside, anyone with a CDL is required to inform their employer of any ticket received. I believe it is within 24 hours.
I was not convicted by a jury or a judge of a criminal offense and I have no criminal record. You can check if you like.

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