Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am currently a junior (edit: now a senior) in high school studying for a career in Law Enforcement with the LAPD.

I am concerned about the background check process in the future because 2 years ago I was hospitalized for 5 days for severe depression. I am currently diagnosed with depression, ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. I have recently stopped several medications (under a doctor's guidance) and my psychologist says I may be able to stop the rest of them this summer. He also says I may be outgrowing my diagnoses, as I have made major progress within this last year. My symptoms now seem to be well under control both on and getting off the medications. You cannot tell that I have these conditions just by looking or even being around me anymore- it's a complete 180.

Some have suggested I get my juvenile mental health records expunged when I reach the age of 18. Is it possible to do this? I have talked to Law Enforcement Officers in my community about this (I live in the Midwest, but will be moving to L.A.) and they say because of my past I basically have a snowball's chance in HelL.A. at becoming an LEO. They say I should give up now and become an accountant or something because I'll never make it with so much past psych stuff. What do you think?
As for the rest of my past, I have never broken the law, never drank or done drugs, never lied, stole, or gotten any traffic infractions. I have no felony or misdemeanor anythings.

Should I really give up my lifelong dream because of my history? If you can provide any info/advice, that would be great-thanks!

It's really going to depend on what a department's psychologist says at the time you apply. Although you probably wouldn't qualify now, you have several years yet before you're eligible. Who knows what what the situation will be then?

That being said, keep a plan B handy or better yet, make something else plan A and keep this as plan B in case it works out.

Good luck.

Wow, good for you for planning so far ahead, I can really tell this is your passion. Let's say the department's psychologist says he's not mentally capable, could he get his own private psych evaluation and use that to apply for a job?

Wow, good for you for planning so far ahead, I can really tell this is your passion. Let's say the department's psychologist says he's not mentally capable, could he get his own private psych evaluation and use that to apply for a job?

No. We use our own because we're liable for what ever he does on the job.

and just because someone is licensed doesn't mean he has integrity. Never know when a psych might get bought off by something or just like his patients and want to give one a glowing diagnosis. Gotta disclose medical history anyway.

Gonna be a lot of vets coming back... job market's getting even tighter. Nobody should 'live for' law enforcement in high school right now, just like no one should live for being in the NBA in high school. If you get an education in accounting or something you will not only make yourself more marketable in LE but have a well-paying career outside.

TY for all the advice, guys- I really appreciate it! I was also wondering... they couldn't just dismiss me off my background psych information alone, could they? I mean, without me taking any of the tests? Someone once also mentioned getting histories expunged. Now, I know that people do that for juvenile criminal records- but would it be possible to do for juvenile mental health records?

I [I]was[I] thinking of starting off applying for a smaller department, but the ones around where I live have not had any positions open for a very long while since they are such small towns. I know that the LAPD is almost always hiring, though

Anyway, thank you so much for answering my questions!

~BlueDogPup

It appears you are in California, so the rules here are like this.

First, this is a medical issue rather than a background matter. The background verifies your identity, confirms that you possess the minimum requirement for the job and determines whether you are of good moral character (whether there is anything in your personal history that meets the criteria for DQ).

What you have described will be addresses during the psych exam, which is a medical issue. In California, every peace officer candidate shall be evaluated to determine if the candidate is free from any emotional or mental condition that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer (Government Code § 1031.f), and to otherwise ensure that the candidate is capable of withstanding the psychological demands of the position. Whether you pass or fail the psych will depend on your mental state at the time you take the test.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act an employer cannot inquire about medical issues except in connection with a bona fide offer of employment. (i.e., you are offered employment subject to passing the medical and physical.) Cops lack the medical expertise and training to determine your medical fitness, so these areas will be addressed by licensed physicians only after you successfully pass the written and oral exams and score high enough to be reachable on the eligible (hiring) list.

The process for doing the psych can be found here http://lib.post.ca.gov/publications/pam/PAM-ch5_selectionRequirements.pdf Start reading at Section 9055a. Should you fail the psych, the procedure allows you to submit a second opinion from your own physician, however, the final decision is up to the department.

Some (but not all) of the traits and qualities the psych seeks to identify can be found here http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/psychological-traits.pdf

Thanks, both RetDetSgt & L-1! Both your answers were really helpful and I think answer most all of any questions I had. Once again everybody, thanks for all your help,- and I'll keep updating my journey on the career path towards law enforcement on these forums. (Oh, and for further notice- that would be 'she' as I am of the female gender :) )

~BlueDogPup