will admission on a polygraph test RE: past history of drug use stop me from getting a law enforcement job?

Question

I have used drugs in the past and currently I have obtained a drug test during my law enforcement training showing that I am DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE! I no longer an using drugs or alcohol and I want to know if my past mistakes will jepordize my ability to become a deputy sheriff now that I have completed my training and ready to work and enforce the law - including that I do not wish to engage in any other illegal activity of ANY kind. What to do? Did I do my BLET training for nothing? HELP?

Thanks for all the info guys. Trust me - this girl feels bad - but I have never had ANY criminal/felony or misdemeanor charge ever - and only one speeding ticket at age 16.
I am 33 years old now with a family. A more mature and wise lady.

AND....I have NEVER SMOKED ANY DRUG - and the one time at age 17 when I tried a cig - I puked! - No needles either. YUCK. At age 33, I hope my 19-21 age old mistakes will wither, but NOT fade.
See....those mistakes are the reason that I graduated with my Bachelor in Nursing and went back for my BLET....because I saw the damage, heartbreak and sorrow in others.....I want to make it right and be able to say.....been there - and it ain't as great as you might think. I believe that I now feel it is important to be an enforcer and mentor to those who follow the wrong path. That is why I take such great honor in earning this badge with my B.S.N. - people can change - I know this woman did. Thanks for all your help with my question. Kerstgen

Oh ...by the way - I was admitting my use of a drug by my own recourse - I have never been caught, arrested, indicted,, etc. And certainly, I surely wouldn't lie about it - it has made me the responsible and more cautious person I am today.

Answer 1

be honest and dont try to cover it up. if you learned from your mistakes tell them that

Answer 2

This is a yes and no question. How long ago was your drug use? How old were you? How old are you now? Was it in high school or were you 25? What were the circumstances? Were you at a party or concert? Or were you at home in your living room? Was it a few times or were you a regular user? What made you decide to stop taking drugs? Do you still associate with those people that you were with when you experimented? What kind of drugs were they? Were they non-addictive, such as marijuana? Or were they highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine or heroin?

This is a way a department may phrase follow-up questions. Like I said its not as simple as yes and no, but good luck to you!! If you get on, its the greatest job in the world and I wish you the best.

Answer 3

I think you will be fine, because you went through your academy training, and would probably been notified of this. But, police and sheriff departments, do apply background checks on all its applicants, some before well others following a psychological test given to possible officers and sheriffs. Good luck if you get the job, I hope you well.

Answer 4

Usually, they won't send you through training if you are not accepted. Past drug use could be a reason to not hire you - but it appears that you have been accepted. Past drug use as a denial of employment will vary from one department to the next. Some have a "zero tolerance" - others do not. You need to speak to someone within your department to get official notice of your status - but from what you have said, it seems you have made it - good luck.

Answer 5

Be honest about it, lying is never a good policy. Lying always has some way of coming back and biting you in the rear end. Just be honest about it. Oh yeah, stop smoking grass. You'll be flipping burgers if you get busted after your sworn in.

Answer 6

Yes it can stop you. First, depending on the drug, there are typically a guideline for last use. For example, if you used cocaine it had to be greter than 7 years ago. These issues can be fatal on a polygraph if you failed to honestly list your drug use and then cop to it on the polygraph.

Answer 7

I would sincerely hope that any one with a past criminal record would not be considered for a law enforcement position.

But then there is that old saying" Set a thief to catch a tieif"

Answer 8

I was a criminal justice major before I went computer science. I know TONS of dudes that I went to college with that are either in the PA state police, FBI and CIA and they did tons of drugs. you just have to come clean and tell them what you did and let them make the decision. if you get caught lying you can forget about it...

Answer 9

As long as your test comes back clean and you never lied under polygraph you should be fine.

Don't offer information on this or apologise for it. Everyone has a past. You now have a clean slate, just keep it clean.

Answer 10

Not being honest about past drug use will definitely keep you from being hired. People experiment when they're younger, just be up front about what you've done. Good luck.

Answer 11

Lying about it is definitely wrong, that will haunt you.

Being honest about it, as in you used/experimented, it was a life experience etc. that is assuming that you tried a bit of pot in your life. Now if you had a major heroin habit or a $100 a day crack habit, well ....