Up until the time I was about 23 or 24 I had never even gotten drunk. I never smoked cigarettes, did drugs or anything. I guess I got curious and was hanging around the wrong person and I tried pot and ecstacy. I probably smoked pot on approx 10 different occasions and maybe did the ecstacy 4 or 5 times until I realized I just didn't want to be involved in drugs and they weren't for me. I never did any other drugs, no acid, no cocaine, no heroine, nothing else. I never touched anything again after that brief period. If I answer completely truthfully during a polygraph test will the fact that I did these drugs disqualify me? even if I'm honest about it?
2006-11-26 15:34:50 · 17 answers · asked by Christine B 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If you are honest then you should be ok... the only issue is how long ago you did these drugs. Some Depts. want there to be a 5 or more year period since your last use. Check with your recruiter or point of contact. Good luck.
2006-11-27 15:25:18 · answer #1 · answered by michael r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it will not. Because the polygraph will also reveal that you no longer use them. It would be difficult in these times, to find a young person who has not tried pot or drugs. Most, thankfully, decide they don't want to go that route and like yourself, simply stop. So don't let a youthful indiscretion deter you from trying to achieve your goal. My personal opinion is that you'd make a better cop if you had experienced some of these things, because you'd know what to look for, and no one would be able to put something over on you. Go for it!
2006-11-26 15:45:07 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Police forces have come to realize that in todays society many have "experimented" with drugs but like you stopped using tell the truth you'll be fine
hajgora7, dude one term, haven't you heard of stop gap, some these young men and woman are on thier 5th tour of duty already with no end in sight, they're not letting people out for years now because of the war in the middle east, let him take the test & tell the truth he'll be fine
2006-11-26 15:37:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, being truthful will not dis-qualify you, but be advised, they will make you do a unrinalisis test, so you better not have used drugs lately and they will usually ask you if you have done them in the last 2 year period on the Polygraph, if you have and lie about it that WILL dis-qualify you, at least in most States.
2006-11-26 19:37:07 · answer #4 · answered by SGT. D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Number 1 rule. Don't lie in your background. Honesty is a crucial characteristic in a police officer and a lie will disqualify you if you get caught.
Most agencies don't care that you have used pot. I am unsure about ecstasy. Different agencies have different rules when it comes to hallucinogenic drugs - which ecstasy is generally considered. Be truthful with your background investigator and hope for the best.
2006-11-26 15:47:03 · answer #5 · answered by James P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's okay. Just don't lie on your application. Say you experimented, but you realized your error and changed.
Never lie. If you lie, it will only come back to haunt you later.
I recommend you go to the Army or Marines first. If you can do one term and get an Honorable Discharge, you should have no problem becoming a cop. You can even ask for the MP MOS, and get a leg up.
2006-11-26 15:38:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the agency. Each will have guidelines. It all will boil down to the Cheif of Police. Get to him & you get the job! The X is a tuff one. It may not "disqualify" you but it sure won't help. A female applicant will one up you if she has not done drugs. It doesn't hurt a thing for you to try!! Give it a shot!!!
2006-11-26 15:41:23 · answer #7 · answered by CHUCK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you apply some jurisdictions don't even have a polygraph test. but it is not a good idea to lie on the personal background statement because it will be investigated just be honest and explain it during your interview. some times it is an automatic disqualification and sometimes it does not.
2006-11-26 15:54:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lol, they are taking people with criminal records now for the NYPD cause theres no one who wants to be a cop anymore. I took the tests and just never became one because I didnt weant to become jaded towards society like most are.
2006-11-26 15:38:55 · answer #9 · answered by Thumper 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It shouldn't. It WILL if you lie and fail the test. I have several friends who are cops and (in their distant past) had tried drugs . Some have been on the force for almost 29 yrs and it hasn't affected their career in any way.
2006-11-26 15:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by rudee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋