Will past drug use completely disqualify me from pursuing a job in law enforcement?

Question

I am currently a Combat Medic in the US army. I experimented with marijuana and methamphetamines about ten years ago. I have tryed filling out online applications and am told that I am not eligible. We have all made mistakes... It doesn't seem quite right that I should be barred from the career because of adolescent mistakes

I am currently a Combat Medic in the US army. I experimented with marijuana and methamphetamines about ten years ago. I have tryed filling out online applications and am told that I am not eligible. We have all made mistakes... It doesn't seem quite right that I should be barred from the career because of adolescent mistakes. I have no criminal record of any kind....

I have no criminal record of any kind.... and lying on my application isn't really showing that I would make a very good honest police officer!

Answer 1

I would think that someone who has first hand knowledge of these drugs would be a valuable asset to the force as in recognizing what symptoms someone is portraying.The smell,the reactions,and what your actually searching for in a vehicle(probable places)This would decrease your time spent on an abuser and put you out on the road to catch someone of a worse crime in quicker time.

Answer 2

First you're able to tell the actuality, they're going to use a polygraph to ascertain questions approximately drug use and theft. additionally alot of departments have strict policies, so in case you had any unlawful drug use, you are able to no longer paintings there. so some million/2 of the departments are ruled out with one unlawful drug use. Others won't care if that's been a jointly as ( and 2 years isn't a jointly as) so maximum will rule this as extraordinarily much contemporary use) yet telling if reality be counseled consistently perfect, because in case you get employed on a lie, and somebody is familiar with this, they are in a position to blackmail you, making it alot worst. And by the way, i became a new child of the 60's, so I used drugs one thousand' of time over some years, and that i became in a position to paintings for the Justice Dept in a regulation enforcement score, worked for state corrections and a state police employer with ability to paintings for a number of different departments,

Answer 3

There are some departments that will not care, some have a strict rule against it.

So you will have to start with smaller departments.

also you may look at some of the Federal Law Departments, I worked for one where my previous drug use was even considered a benifit since I was experinced with various levels of drugs. And I worked for several state agencies since that time all of which new of my past drug use.

A college degree along with your military will help alot also.

Normally the best thing is not to mention it on the applications, but wait till you get further along in the intervew process.

Answer 4

its best to be truthful on each and every question, however i feel if youre able to articulate the circumstances etc...you have about the same chance or opportunity as someone that has never experimented...
i also feel that if you were a chronic user of any type of controlled substance you better look into other career fields.
one time is justifiable if you can articulate...good luck

Answer 5

I don't think so. I don't remember which one, but one of the judges that's on TV all the time used to do drugs, but later, went on to be a Police Officer, and now a Judge.

Answer 6

It depends on the department. I know someone who did acid as a teenager who went on to become a Deputy in Maryland.

Try LAPD, I think they'll hire anyone with a pulse at this point

Answer 7

At my PD in Florida I have known people who have had far worse drug use (cocaine, meth, lsd, marijuana,) and have gotten hired as dispatchers.

Have you considered back dooring them and getting hired in a civilan capacity? Once they see your work, they may hire you as an officer.

Meth is considered to be a "hard" drug compared to marijuana.

Answer 8

I agree with you. Do you have a police record or something?
How would anyone know you used those drugs so many years ago?

Answer 9

it depend on what you learn and what you do in the hear -now
but mostly on what kind of person you are people can tell so don't lie or tray to fool them it could help--thy look cop that can
be trusted more than any thank Else

Answer 10

My friend tried to get into law enforcement, but because he stole from his recent employers he was disqualified, but they told him if it had been a long time ago, it would not have disqualified him.