Thread: Army Lets a Felon Join Up, but N.Y.P.D. Will Not

Army Lets a Felon Join Up, but N.Y.P.D. Will Not








NAWA, Afghanistan — On the day after he completed a one-year sentence at the Rikers Island jail, Osvaldo Hernandez walked into an Army recruiting office in Elmhurst, Queens. He was a felon with a plan to change his life.

It was late in 2003. Mr. Hernandez had been convicted of possessing an unregistered pistol the year before. The Army, struggling to meet its recruiting goals, granted him an enlistment waiver for the crime and soon swore him in.

Four years later, Mr. Hernandez, 25, is Specialist Hernandez, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan.

His transformation from inmate to productive citizen would seem to be complete. His Army supervisors say he is reliable, honest and brave. Barring something unforeseen, he will be honorably discharged at the end of his 15-month combat tour this year and hopes to become a New York City police officer.

But Specialist Hernandez is finding that what the Army forgave is still remembered at home. The New York Police Department is among the broad mainstream of departments that say a felony conviction is an absolute bar to police work, no matter his exemplary military record, even in a combat zone.

“Basically they told me, word for word, ‘You’re good enough for the Army, but you aren’t good enough to be a police officer,’â€

He should run for Mayor of NY

Originally Posted by jimpasz

He should run for Mayor of NY

Jim your killin me

I'm not so sure.

In theory, I'm not in favor of felons being in the military - although that is nothing new. I remember hearing about some from being released from prison during WWII. Remember the old, 'either go to prison or join the army'?

But operating in the military and in a war zone is far different from operating in civilian life.

If you let that one join the police force - where do you draw the line?
Everyone will have a good reason for doing what they did - but that doesn't make it right.

This young man could do more good for America by telling his story, and making young people aware that what they might consider minor could have lifelong reprecussions. Young people need to be made aware of that.

Life and actions have consequences - that's something many people, young and older seemed to have forgotten.