Used to be a drug user, Changed my life, want to be a police officer
2007-06-24 18:11:04 · 9 answers · asked by mikestudent1 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If you have convictions for drug use ,then it will be extremely hard to be accepted ♥
2007-06-24 18:15:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. Psychological testing and background checks would probably kick you out. There are other jobs you can do to help people rather than police officer. Perhaps social work?
I've HAD a background check...drugs are particularly the issue...the issue IS that drug usage shows certain personality traits that are not desirable for police officers. If we are talking about a little marijuana when you were 16-18...it probably won't hold you back. If you carried that into your young adulthood or engaged in behavior such as DUI, using other drugs, etc., the police won't be interested in you. You are required to uphold laws, not break them.
It's easy to check though...google your jurisdiction and "police policy on drug use" some will allow some use prior to adulthood but no convictions. Some areas are more strict. You will find areas with more "troubled" police departments (like LA and NY) are more lax. I guess they have to take what they can get.
2007-06-24 18:14:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will depend on what drugs you used, how often you used them, and which agency you are applying to.
For instance, the Virginia State Police has a zero tolerance to any drug use for applicants. Many of the local agencies have accepted that a lot of the applicants experimented with marijuana in high school and college. Often, many agencies want a minimum of 5 years to have passed since your last use of drugs.
I suggest that you start speaking with recruiters for various agencies and find out what they expect. Just because an agency has a policy in place for it applicants on drug usage does not mean that they will not relax it in the future.
2007-06-24 19:55:36 · answer #3 · answered by rec4lms 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A great many of the officers on our local police force used drugs as teenagers and young adults. As long as you were never convicted, this shouldn't be a conflict.
While I see the other people who answered this seem to think a background check would ruin your chances, this isn't entirely accurate. Police who have had legal problems in the past are more capable of dealing with law-breakers in a fair manner, just as many schools will refuse to hire a teacher with a perfect GPA in college because it's important for teachers to understand failure and perseverence.
2007-06-24 18:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by gavin6942 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
from my experience... if you make it to the interview/poloygraph tell the truth, nothing like hiding stuff and them finding out later. Doesn't show good character. Did you get arrested? charged? did you just use or did you traffic? how young were you? was it last year or 10 years ago when you were 16? things to look at, no one is perfect.
try out, tell the truth if they ask you about your past and they will just be honest. If you are really worried about it talk to police officers that you know or talk to a recruiting officer.
just my two cents
2007-06-24 18:31:14 · answer #5 · answered by June 28/10, its a boy! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
due to the problem of having a hard time to find qualified applicants,this policy has changed.there is something like you can not have used drugs in the last year. be honest in your answers
2007-06-24 20:50:01 · answer #6 · answered by charlsyeh 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It really depends on the situation. Contact your local Police Station.
2007-06-24 18:25:26 · answer #7 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you can't. The reason is that many drug users relapse.
2007-06-24 18:15:34 · answer #8 · answered by RE 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you can,only if you did not get in trouble behind it. (record)
2007-06-28 16:24:00 · answer #9 · answered by NOHSED 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋