Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey everyone, first post here.

I got the title of this post from a previous post under "So You Want to become a cop..."

To get to the point, when I was 19 I tried cocaine three times. I never touched it again, was never addicted, and the only other drug experience I've had was marijuana in high school (only once, I didn't like it, never did again). I am 25 right now, attending college. I want to get my masters, possibly a PhD, and then possibly apply for a job as a state patrol officer in Texas. I will probably be 27 to 30 years old when I apply. I think I may stand a shot, despite my past transgressions. (I also have other things which may stand against me; unfortunate credit history and a period of time where I failed several classes). As far as anything else though, I am immaculate. I'm the type of guy who, upon hearing his friend has skipped out on the bill at Denny's, drives a half hour back to pay for the omelet and coffee. I won't even download music illegally.

But I have a worry. When I was younger I may have said some stuff to certain girls in an effort to impress them ("I've had a rough life...", "I've overcome so much...", "I used to be addicted..."). Some of these girls have become my good friends. I'm worried about these incidences coming up in a background investigation. Can I seriously just say "Look, I lied to these girls, I was a 19 year old kid who wanted to look like a badass in front in them." I was thinking of calling some of these people up and saying "Hey, I was just trying to get sympathy from you, I really wasn't addicted to cocaine, so in case anyone asks..." but what if the investigator asks if I had asked them this? Would they ever believe me? Should I bring this worry up front, or wait until/if it becomes an issue?

Am I just being over-concerned here? It's still 3 to 5 years until I apply (and it has already been over 5 years since the incident).

Yeah according to DPS's website, all other drug use must have been 5 years or longer. From my experience most Texas agencies will disqualify you if you have ever used cocaine. Your talking about an illicit substance that possession of, even trace amounts is a felony.

Hello TEXASCOP, thank you for your quick reply. But I am slightly confused.

I noticed that on the application, you were required to list marijuana use up to 3 years, and all other drugs up to 5 years. Since the incident was over 5 years ago, it seems it would fall under the second question (5 years). Are you talking about specific department regulations on top of the DPS's requirements? Of course, I understand that it is up to the digression of the department to make a ruling. I also know that HPD (Houston) will not accept anyone who has ever tried cocaine, so I will not even make an attempt to apply there.

This is from the DPS application (Form RC-4):

"In recent years, drug usage has become extremely common in our society. The Department of Public Safety recognizes that it would be almost impossible to hire anyone who has not experimented with some drugs. However, it is important that the Department be aware of your ILLEGAL drug usage because, as a peace officer, you may in the future be called to testify as a witness in a criminal prosecution of an individual charged with illegal drug use, and the defense could ask about your own personal drug usage in an effort to attack or impeach your credibility."

Now, under any of these questions, I come up innocent, because they all apply to 5 years. But I'm not naive to think that the question will just go away that easy.

My question is thus: should I not only list drug usage, but also rumored drug usage? Like, should I say, "I have only used this drug so-and-so, but you may hear...because I lied in an effort to impress some people... "

I just read your reply again and thought, maybe what you are trying to tell me is "Don't even bother. The question you are asking is moot, you won't get a shot either way." If that is the reply, then ok, thank you for your time and your help.

Have you considered actually calling an agency that you would someday like to work for and ask them the question that you asked here ? You never know....policies do change.

Thank you for the reply mcsap.

No, actually, I had not. Heh, which now seems laughable. I suppose it would be better to call in closer to the date when I actually intend to apply, since policies do change. But I will call in later this coming week just to see what the current situation is. I am just extremely nervous about saying "My crimes may be grossly exaggerated by people who claim to know me!" as that would make me look like I'm covering up.

But in the end, it seems that I have asked a stupid question. I will just truthfully tell what happened, and if comes down to a "he said/she said" situation, well, that is in the department's hands to make a judgement on.

Thank you again.

Err, I mean mcsap. My apologies, I cannot edit my posts for some reason. (edit: fixed now)

And while I'm here, I have another question.

Should I not be accepted as a member of the Texas Law Enforcement, are there any civilian jobs available in which I can still participate in the fight against crime (preferably here in the state of Texas), yet not requiring such stringent employment requirements?

edit: and where can I find their appropriate websites and payroll information?

I just read your reply again and thought, maybe what you are trying to tell me is "Don't even bother. The question you are asking is moot, you won't get a shot either way." If that is the reply, then ok, thank you for your time and your help.

You can apply all you wish and let the chips fall where they may, but due to your past usage of a hard drug it is STRONGLY recommended to also develop a Plan B.

Thank you for the reply Kimble.