Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hi all, wanted to introduce myself. I'm a 33 yo female and at one point in life wanted to become a police officer. I decided on nursing instead, hated it and regretted my decision.
after having my children, I put on a lot of weight and was diagnosed with hypertension and was even medicated for it. After losing a significant amount of weight, i am no longer on medication and do not have a diagnosis of hypertension any longer.
I realize standards are different agency to agency, but would a past history of hypertension and the associated meds be an automatic disqualification for passing the medical exam? Again, I am currently very athletic and in shape. I have no cardiac issues or disease, and the high bp is gone!

Now another question, total subject change: what are your thoughts on females as LEOs. Is it harder to get in, especially now that the physical aptitude test isn't divided by male vs. Female standards? Are women given preference solely based on gender? Are women applicants frowned upon and\or discouraged?

I am excited about the possibility of a career change , but cautious and nervous about a past history of obesity and high bp affecting my chances even though I am now slim and fit!

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

Read here about hypertension http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/Cardio.pdf

While this is the California standard, the principles behind it are fairly universal.

Affirmative action was banned by the voters in my state over 10 years ago, so no preference is given for gender. My experience with females has been the same as with males - some have their act together and some don't. It just depends on the individual.

Thanks for the info., L-1. Well, hopefully my states' standard is similar to that of CA, if so, I'm good to go!!!
My state still does a modified version of AA, still mandates reporting of male/female ratios, and whatnot. I just don't want to be handled with "kid gloves" because I'm female, but at the same time, I don't want to spend my life proving that I'm as deserving and qualified as "the good old boys!" I appreciate your insight!!

I am NOT a police officer, but know from experience something about how bad Hyper-tension can be in someone....Count yourself very lucky that you had it, lost some weight and are now not on any blood pressure meds....My wife got a bad GI bleed....Found out at the hospital that she had severed hyper-tension, I am talking 220 for the number on top...She takes 3 different meds 2 times a day to stay alive...she has perfect pressure now, but count yourself VERY lucky regarding your blood pressure history, it can be much worse than what you had.