Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I just turned in my Personal History Statement for a local city police department in CA. I am clean and have no record. Under the section of crimes committed at any time in the PHS, there were 3 that applied to me. One was experimenting with marijuana during my high school days while I was still a minor. I only smoked for a few times and stopped shortly after. Another would be drinking as a minor socially and not getting to the point of full intoxication. And lastly I concealed carried without a permit once in my lifetime and I stated that it was because I had to pick up a car from the shop in a run down neighborhood in a city where high amount of crime is common and I carried because I felt unsafe and for personal protection. Now the last one is what I am scared about because it occurred about a year ago and it is considered a misdemeanor not a felony thankfully. I put everything down truthfully and I didn't want to lie about anything. What do you guys think? thanks

Your age would be a factor. If your 20 and smoked weed in high school that could be a problem. If your 25, probably not an issue. The firearm is a new on EVEN for me. Personally I would not see any of your history as significant or "problems". You don't have a history of "repeat" incidents. The ones you do have are minor and a lot of LEOs probably have some similar issues (except the CC).

A weapons violation in the recent past might be a hurdle.... then again, it also might depend where you are. If you're in a state which is very gun unfriendly and you can't even get a permit, it might be more serious than if it's a state where you just should have had a permit.

I'm actually 23 so the marijuana smoking took place 6 years ago. I'm about to graduate with a BS in Criminal Justice and worked with a police department before for 2.5 years. I wanted to be upfront and disclose everything before a background investigation and would rather not lie and die.

The only issue IMHO is the "carry of a concealed firearm". I honestly don't know if it will be an issue or not. At my agency in a very gun "friendly" state I don't think it would be a problem. But if your in a area thats "anti gun" then it may be an issue.

I honestly would not sweat it too much, but to ease your mind, you might want to speak to someone at the department your applying to.