Current and Former Police Officers; Employment Questions.?
Question by : Current and Former Police Officers; employment questions.?
I know everyone makes mistakes, some larger then others. I unfortunately made one that will hinder me in my pursuit of a career that would be very rewarding to me. A police officer. Ive wanted to be one for a couple years now, ever since I joined my local Police explorer post. I was just recently promoted to sergeant and would love nothing more then to become a AZPOST certified officer. A little over two years ago my father died, I had to see him in a Costa Rican hospital in a coma for weeks, It was by far the hardest thing i have ever had to deal with. Im 18 now but I was 15 at the time, and at the time I had no coping methods whatsoever and found peace, relief and soothing in smoking marijuana. I had an addiction for a good two years and am unfortunately way past the “experimental” usage allowed by the AZPOST. Im completely clean and sober now, and have no desire whatsoever to resort to that method ever again! I know Rules are rules and Police officers have integrity, but the way I look at it is, My past is my past. Ive learned and grown from that experience, and have grown to become a great, law-abiding, reliable, trustworthy and committed citizen who would love nothing more then to become a police officer. I think my best chance is to become a police officer here in my home town which is a small department, My brother is a police officer and I have a great Relationship, because of Police explorers, with the Chief, Commanders, Detectives, and Police officers. They all want me to come work for them when I become of age, but few know of my past Drug usage. Like I said Im completely sober, and plan to be for the rest of my life. I’m just asking for some advice from current and former Police officers. I would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks! (P.S. I still have 3 years before I am 21)
Best answer:
Answer by Jay
You have basically answered your own question. Habitual drug use is almost always a disqualifer.
Answer by Lee
Don’t listen to Jay. He obviously has a small winky.
I am a police officer in TN so I can’t necessarily speak for the exact policies in AZ, however, I think it is pretty much similar in most every state. If it is ONLY marijuana and you’ve been clean and can pass a drug test you SHOULD be okay. I know a guy who is an officer in the next city over to me who was once in drug rehab in his 18-21 year old era. He didn’t become an officer until he was 30 and WELL past his drug usage days however, but I don’t think that was how long it took constantly applying or anything, I think that was just how long it took for him to realize he wanted to be a police officer. But it just goes to show you its not impossible. The most important thing about this whole issue is full disclosure to background investigators and not lying on any polygraphs. If they see it was when you were younger, it was only marijuana, you’ve grown up and gained life experience everything should be okay. Especially if you were never arrested for drug possession or anything. If you lie about it and are caught…its over for you.
A couple good points of advice though. Advice I should have taken myself when I was your age but unfortunately never did cause I’m a moron… You should probably either join the military or go to college…or both. At the vesy least…try to work a couple of years in a good solid position of responsibilty somewhere (Loss Prevention would be good) and remain in good standing. It makes you look better when you go to apply and you can show them something that makes them say, “hey this kid is alright.”
The US Coast Guard offers the best law enforcement opportunities of any military branch. I know you’re probably nowhere near water now, but if I could turn back time I would join the Coast Guard in an instant. They do tons of law enforcement ship boardings to combat drugs and immigration. They have been known to board suspisous vessels at sea and seize hundreds of thousands of pounds of drugs off just that one vessel. They also drive around in boats with machine guns attached and even shoot out engines of boats that don’t stop when ordered. I wish we could do that to cars when jackholes run from us. In the rest of the branches of military as an MP, SP, MA or whatever the hell they wanna call it, you’re mainly concerned with force protection which means guarding things like aircraft, a section of the ship, a front desk of a building, a door, or a file cabinet.
Anyway good luck and remember just don’t give up! If the one department you apply for doesn’t hire you, apply to another one. There are numerous departments anywhere and everywhere. Even airports, some big hospitals and universities have their own actual police departments with actual cops, not security guards.
Drug Rehabs in Massachusetts | Call 800-303-2938 For Info
Drug Rehabs in Massachusetts – Call 800-303-2938 For Info If you have questions regarding addiction to drugs, our Drug Rehabs in Massachusetts are always ope…