I am deaf myself and I sometimes have a debate with my friends and I was wondering if someone is deaf, can they apply to become a cop? Some police departments wants diversity and being deaf is diversity.
2006-08-31 21:32:47 · 18 answers · asked by got Water? 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Hey Water,
Well, kinda! You can get hired in most departments as a CSO. That is a sworn police officer that works as the police department interface with the Community. My sister is one with the Riverside County (California) Sheriffs Dept.
How it works is that when additional assistance is needed in a situation, certain officers with specialized training are called. My sister gets called during Domestic Violence or Child Endangerment cases. She also responds to Rape or Molestation cases. She carries no gun, and is not a uniformed officer. Sadly, you can fully understand how your challenge would not and could not be adaptable to front line field officer work.
Additionally, other fields that PD's could use you in would be things like Evidence and Crime Scene analysis, Accident Investigators, Ballistics and Identification Specialists. All of these would be open and welcomed by many PD's to accomplish their diversity goals. Contact your local PD recruiting office or see them at a job fair -- they will be happy to give you additional information.
I hope that this has piqued your interest in following a law enforcement career.
James in San Diego
2006-08-31 22:04:40 · answer #1 · answered by jpr_sd 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Deaf Cop
2017-01-19 11:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel you. I have hearing loss and also dwarfism. My job is doing "Information and Referral" for a disability organization.
Technically you cannot become a police officer if you are deaf or have other certain disabilities. Diversity they are talking about generally are nationalities. But you could find work in the law enforcement field with your deafness, but not to become an actual police officer. People who are Deaf do have their own culture.
If I have a passion for basketball, I may not ever be a basketball player because I'm too short, but it doesn't mean I couldn't be a basketball coach!
2006-09-01 05:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by Erica, AKA Stretch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is true that being deaf is diversity but the fact is that the daily activities an officer is involved in requires use of all his senses. If even one of them is not working as well as it should it could be life threatening for the officer or for a citizen. Imagine you clearing a house (searching it for any possible suspects), and while you are clearing a room someone comes up from behind you with a weapon... you would not be able to protect yourself because you would not be able to hear them whereas an officer with good hearing would. Therefore you would become a liability instead of an asset to the force.
2006-08-31 22:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by fullthrottlemustang 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As diverse as that may be, just how safe do you think it is? Can you hear someone coming up behind you? Can you hear your radio? I am all about equal oppurtunity and if you want into the field, by all means go for it, but you have to think about the logistics of what you are saying. If you are deaf and fully understand the consequences of not being able to hear what is going on around you, then be my guest, But don't put my life on the line while you are at it. You are not going to be the only one that may suffer from your being deaf. If you want into law enforcement that bad, there are plenty of other respectable jobs where hearing may not be as important like records, services, or something along those lines. Sorry, but that is just one of the bad breaks that life deals to people. Good luck to you in the future.
2006-08-31 21:43:11 · answer #5 · answered by HBPD 126 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I am sorry, but deafness is an automatic disqualification. It honestly would be really dangerous for you, and you would be unable to perform many of the essential duties of an officer. The other officers that post here can back me up on this, the use of all of your senses is really important in keeping yourself and your fellow officers safe, and being able to gather and catalogue what goes on around you to be used in the accurate documentation and reporting of what you encounter as a cop. I am certain that you are an intelligent and capable individual, but you could not be a police officer. Their might be other support positions in law enforcement that you could fill. I know it sucks, but this is reality. Best of luck to you. I don't want to seem patronizing, but I think that folks who have to deal with an already difficult world with a disability are every bit as brave as any cop I know.
2006-08-31 22:51:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
in the case of being a police officer, the ablility to hear is a job requirement. for a person who is deaf who is interested in law enforcement there are many other careers available. other positions within the police department, probation officer [there are deaf people on probation] you could even become a CDI , certified deaf interpreter and work in legal situations as a team with a hearing sign language interpreter if you are interested in the topic of law.
2006-09-01 02:40:06 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We police officers are always looking for civilan help you can go talk to the police chief or sheriff of where you live they might need an interperter to help communicate with the hearing impared, but chances are that you would not be able to become an officer
2006-08-31 22:07:43 · answer #8 · answered by colvin0594 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, even some minor hearing problems can be rejected. Hearning tests are a major part of the medical test.
There are other positions within a police department that may be able to use you.
2006-09-01 14:49:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's another article about a deaf cop in Alaska:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/NEWS01/607170318/1002/NEWS
2006-09-01 07:01:40 · answer #10 · answered by Amma's Child 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋