I want to become a cop but.......?

Question

i want to become a cop. but in high school i got caught with some marijuana. i have completely changed and i do not do drugs. on my school records it shows that i had possesion at school. can i still become a cop?

Answer 1

no worries... juvenile records are cealed...

Answer 2

if it was prior to being an adult it should be sealed. They will be able to look into it because you are applying to be a cop, so make sure you tell them that you made some dumb mistakes as a kid and be upfront and honest. That being said, they could possibly have a policy that says no matter what you can't. If it ended up being a felony charge, then I think you are out of luck. If it was just misdemeanor possesion, then you might be okay. But be honest, or they will rule you out. Trust me you will have tons of paperwork to fill out for the background check, so you will get your chance to tell. Don't do it when you ask for an application, wait for the proper time.

Answer 3

The job announcement should spell out what disqualifies you and what doesn't. The most important thing to remember is to be completely honest and up front about every little detail no matter how embarassing it is. There is more emphasis placed on integrity today than other things. If you only had a minor possession as a teen most jurisdictions will overlook that. They are still pretty tough on hard drugs but not so tough on marijuana.

Answer 4

Were you under 18, at the time? Look into your state laws concerning juvenile records. Find out, in what instances those records can be used against you as an adult.

But then I also know of a fella who had a bank robbery expunged from his record for good behavior as an adult. And he is certified, up the yin yang because of his work, through Homeland Security. I have known him for a very long time and that was the last time he got into trouble.

I have known several guys that have become cops that had had juvenile records ranging from possession to theft. The way I see it, who better than someone who realized their wrong and want to do right, to be a cop.

I will give you the names of a few rebels that did right. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. We were basically a British Common Law nation, until our Constitution and Bill of Rights came along a few years later. We respect those men, historically. But weren't they criminals under British Common Law? So ask yourself, is this problem of yours more than the charges that stacked up against these three men?

Answer 5

Yes you can. The important thing is you be completely honest during your background investigation about it. Its embarassing to talk about mistakes we made in the past, but its part of your department checking on your background and finding out if they can trust you or not. If you lie, you die. You will not become a cop if you lie. Understand that a lie during a background will follow you, because any other agency your apply for will ask why you were not hired at xzy department when you applied there. The good news is you can be hired after using MJ, just tell them about it.

Answer 6

A misdemeanor (or less) criminal offense is not a legal bar to employment as a peace officer pursuant to federal law. It is doubtful that it is a bar to employment even under any state's laws. However, individual agencies MAY have a zero tolerance policies for any drug use. It is rare, but some do.

What will be important is how far in the past the use was, and what have you done since that time. A good track record since that time will be very helpful.

- Carl

Answer 7

in basic terms feels like a chilled activity! Who does not decide to get payed for using speedy, and ******* with human beings all day and after 25 years get an entire retirement? I smoke weed and do unlawful issues each and all of the time and starting to be a cop nevertheless sounds relaxing.

Answer 8

i'm in a slightly similar position. i smoked pot 3 yrs ago and now i want to be a cop. most departments know that now a days its hard to find an applicant who hasn't tried pot before. as long as you're honest with your background investigator and let them know from the start, then you should be fine. try calling the depts you want to apply to and talk to their officer in charge of recruitment and ask them straight out if that would disqualify you. the more time you have between you and the possession charge the better, 3-5 years is ideal. good luck.

Answer 9

First you don't have a criminal record if you were not arrested.

There are some departments that will not hire you if you ever, ever used any drugs, but there are some departments that will over look some pot use if it is done several years before.

so you most likely will rule out the largest highest paying departments but there are still plenty where you can work

Answer 10

I have a brother who is 50 and who became a County Deputy when he was 29-30.
Prior to that he had been in trouble for drinking. . . no DWI.
He is now a Sargent in the Homocide Division with one of our County Sheriff's Dept. (our city is a 2 county city in Tex).
Provided you have no felonies,and this happened as a kid I think you would be OK.

Answer 11

Don't pay attention to the prior answers. Most agencies have requirements regarding prior drug use. If it was high school, make you tell them you used in high school and that you do not now. They will respect you. PLUS they know people that used to smoke, are more apt to know when others are.