In the town I live in there were a few cases where guys who were deliquents ( committed several fights, broke the rules many times and even they believed that they can't change) became police officers out of the blue and changed completely. One of them grew up in my neighborhood and I knew him really well. That's why I was so positively surprised by the change in his personality I noticed (he became so responsible and caring). It made me wonder what can be the reason for this huge change. Could the reason be that this person let go of the "label" he was carrying for so many years and the belief that he was just that- "a deliquent". Or maybe the single opportunity he got to serve the country and do good for others.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Certainly, there's room for change. As a youth you're still undergoing brain maturation, your long-term personality is still being refined by the neuronal networks being trimmed.
However, being called a police officer as pointed out by other commenters, does not automatically remove red flag behaviors. In fact, the power that comes with the name may make destructive traits worse.
The only way to know is to observe the actions, a general rule I abide by is to ignore what's being said by someone and concentrate on their actions...I have to use another Sherlock Homes quote here 😂:
Although Holmes is talking about an individual's occupation here, you can imagine that characteristics too would become evident.
"By a man's finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt-cuff — By each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent inquirer in any case is almost inconceivable."