Is color blindness disqualifying for all law enforcement careers?

Question

I would like to be in Law Enforcement, like my Dad was. I have a color deficiency. What agencies will waive this color blind issue. I have a BS in Business from San Diego State. I just want to be a Peace Officer..

I was offered scholorships to West Point,
the Air Force Academy and a Marine, Army and Air Force ROTC Scholorship to any college of my choice. I can see colors but can not pass the Farnsworth Lantern color test. The Naval Academy was the only Military Academy to require this. The color blindness issue was known to all above and was not a disqualifier. I know I could never fly or command a ship as visual acquity is more stringent. I can tell the difference between red and green but the Farnsworth Lantern was impossible to pass. If all the other branches wanted me for Officer status, there must be something in Law Enforcement field work I can do..Thanks for any and all responces.

Answer 1

Color blindness is usually classed as a disability; however, in select situations color blind people may have advantages over people with normal color vision. There is annecdotal evidence that color blind individuals are better at penetrating color camouflage and at least one scientific study (Morgan, Adams and Mollon, 1992) confirms this under controlled conditions. Monochromats may have a minor advantage in dark vision, but only in the first five minutes of dark adaptation.

Color blindness cannot be cured. However, if you have difficulty distinguishing colors, or you've observed this difficulty in your child, see your eyecare practitioner.



Diagnosing color-vision deficiency early may prevent learning problems during the school years, since many learning materials rely heavily on color perception. If your child has a color deficiency, be sure to speak with his or her teachers about it, so they can plan their lessons accordingly.

Some people use special lenses for color blindness, which are filters available in either contact lens or eyeglass lens form. They are available from a limited number of eyecare practitioners in the United States and other countries.

You can also learn ways to work around your inability to pick out certain colors. For instance, you might organize and label your clothing to avoid color clashes. (Ask friends or family members to help!) And you might remember the order of things rather than their color (for example, the red light is at the top of a traffic light).

Unless your completely color blind I think you'll do just fine don't worry man you'll do kickass.

Answer 2

I really haven't seen anyone not be able to be a peace officer because of color blindness....I have, however heard of people getting disqualified from Border Patrol, but if you want to be a cop, have a talk with the academy recruiter, If I'm not mistaken, California requires a state certification in order to be a peace officer and thus you must go through their academy no matter what kind of a degree you have, so you'll have to speak with a recruiter sooner or later, the good news is that after the academy, you'll be able to rise above the ranks quicker and sooner than the majority of the other cadets because of that sweet, sweet bachelor's degree of yours. However, in my personal opinion, There's no degree-worthy money in law enforcement, I wouldn't like for my kids to be cops.....Dont' get me wrong, I love what I do, I just wouldn't want it for my kids, I don't want them to have to wear a ballistic vest to work everyday, I would like for them to obtain Business Bachelor's Degrees and OH---you see my dilema here?............Take care.

Answer 3

It may depend on the department, but you should be able to find one that will hire you. My partner is color blind and he's been on the department for 25 years.

Answer 4

Other than serving in the Airforce, you should be all right, if it is a minor colourblindness.

Answer 5

Sure is, it would be a bit hard to give a description of a motor vehicle if you don't know what the colour is !!

Answer 6

Yeah, it is