Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Ok. I know you guys are helpful so I dont want to waste your time or mine. Im 38 and have done some stupid things in my life along with a lot of good. About 4 yrs ago I was out and on my way home I got caught with a tiny bit of coke. Yeah I did drugs through parts of my life and Im not proud of it. Anyway, The charge was witheld by adjudication. I know some departments are pickier than others, but are my chances totally screwed?

Ok. I know you guys are helpful so I dont want to waste your time or mine. Im 38 and have done some stupid things in my life along with a lot of good. About 4 yrs ago I was out and on my way home I got caught with a tiny bit of coke. Yeah I did drugs through parts of my life and Im not proud of it. Anyway, The charge was witheld by adjudication. I know some departments are pickier than others, but are my chances totally screwed?

Let's see, you're 38 and 4 years ago you were caught with a small amount of coke. So at the time of this "accidental mishap" you were 34 years of age.

Giving you the benefit of the doubt, let's say your intermittent drug use started at 18. Which means during the last 20 years, you've occasionally partook in the consumption of and financing of illegal narcotics and narcotic activities.

BIG comes up with 20 years because even though you stated you were caught 4 years ago, no where do you mention that you haven't partaken since. Considering your history one has to assume you still partake now.

Now what BIG SEXY doesn't understand and he's sure other members will chime in, during your roughly conservative 20 years of intermittent drug use, when did you get the epiphany you wanted to be in law enforcement?

You aren't one of those who claim it's been a life long dream of yours, yet you used illegal drugs anyway, are you?

This is not to say that there are no officers, including officers of this board, who haven't experimented in their youth. But that experimentation normally didn't extend beyond a game of "Puff-Puff-Give" and not what is essentially a lifetime of incalculable drug use.

Based upon your drug use being both incalculable and lasting for years, you can't claim experimentation or a one time mistake, BIG SEXY would surmise that your chances are extremely nil.

Somewhere between the Detroit Lions going to the Superbowl and North Korea becoming a beacon of democracy.

Not impossible, but for damn sure improbable.

....but are my chances totally screwed?Screwed here.

Being honest.

Yes. You will never be a police officer.

Honestly.

Citicop.

Ouch! Im not dumb enough to be surprized. But when you look at it that the way you put it, it seems so much worse but I get the point that anything more than experimental is to much and doesn't look good. No I wasnt a junkie and no It wasnt a lifelong dream of becomeing a cop. Your talking to some one who throughout my life, had level 2 security clearance for GE Astrospace(final asembly plant for Sattlelites), 4 years of electrical school to become a journeyman electrician, I was a Certified EMT, Owed legitimate company's including a Burgular and Fire Alarm Co., and was 1 of 4 technicians in the entire country(at the time) who had the capability and knowledge to service and install a particular Fiber-Optic Camera System for government installations. I'm no dummy, not to mention one of the most trusting guys you'll ever meet. I currently have a Lic & Ins. Vent Service Co. to prevent fire because I am a registered by the state of Florida as a Fire Systems Agent. Im at the point where I want to start over, I want to do something real important to help people thats all. I know this doesn't change anything but I don't want you to think your wasting time on some scumbag. Thanks for your reply. Darin P.S. Trust me when I tell you Big Sexy that there are plenty of good people like Doctors, Lawyers, Cops and Judges who have made the same mistakes.

Ouch! Im not dumb enough to be surprized. But when you look at it that the way you put it, it seems so much worse but I get the point that anything more than experimental is to much and doesn't look good. No I wasnt a junkie and no It wasnt a lifelong dream of becomeing a cop. Your talking to some one who throughout my life, had level 2 security clearance for GE Astrospace(final asembly plant for Sattlelites), 4 years of electrical school to become a journeyman electrician, I was a Certified EMT, Owed legitimate company's including a Burgular and Fire Alarm Co., and was 1 of 4 technicians in the entire country(at the time) who had the capability and knowledge to service and install a particular Fiber-Optic Camera System for government installations. I'm no dummy, not to mention one of the most trusting guys you'll ever meet. I currently have a Lic & Ins. Vent Service Co. to prevent fire because I am a registered by the state of Florida as a Fire Systems Agent. Im at the point where I want to start over, I want to do something real important to help people thats all. I know this doesn't change anything but I don't want you to think your wasting time on some scumbag. Thanks for your reply. Darin P.S. Trust me when I tell you Big Sexy that there are plenty of good people like Doctors, Lawyers, Cops and Judges who have made the same mistakes.


There are less cops than you think that have made those same mistakes.

There are, I'm sure, decent productive members of society who have made similar mistakes - the vast majority are not cops. A title/position does not make a man - you can be a good person without being a cop.

Darin-

Using Cocaine is NOT a "mistake."

You made a conscious decision to use an illegal substance to get high. That is many things, including a very poor choice at 34 years old, but a "mistake" is not one of them.

A pattern of drug use makes you unfit for Law Enforcement as a career, period. It does not mean that you aren't a good guy (maybe you are) or that you can't make a contribution to society in a meaningful way.

It just means that it won't be in Law Enforcement.

How could you think that you could be reasonably expected to ENFORCE the law when you choose not to OBEY it?

Citicop.

My mom use to say "if I knew than what I know now". It sucks finding out the hard way

Ok. I know you guys are helpful so I dont want to waste your time or mine. Im 38 and have done some stupid things in my life along with a lot of good. About 4 yrs ago I was out and on my way home I got caught with a tiny bit of coke. Yeah I did drugs through parts of my life and Im not proud of it. Anyway, The charge was witheld by adjudication. I know some departments are pickier than others, but are my chances totally screwed?

Have you considered trying to sign up as an informant?

Informant? For one, I dont go near drugs anymore or affiliate myself with anyone who does. Second, how could I possibly help. And third, I want a career I can go to everyday and feel good about it. I'm not looking just to be a narc for the cops as a hobby. You know everyone on this forum might think Im a joke but regardless of what anyone says I will do something good. I can do without the sarcasim. Thanks

From what you have said, you have already done something good... it just not likely to be in law enforcement. It stinks, but what can you do at this stage. Some things just can't be undone.

Informant? For one, I dont go near drugs anymore or affiliate myself with anyone who does. Second, how could I possibly help. And third, I want a career I can go to everyday and feel good about it. I'm not looking just to be a narc for the cops as a hobby. You know everyone on this forum might think Im a joke but regardless of what anyone says I will do something good. I can do without the sarcasim. Thanks

I wasn't being sarcastic. I'm just trying to give you an honest assessment of the best chance of your helping law enforcement. Maybe, it was too honest. Sorry about that.

Everyone makes choices, and some people sometimes make choices that affect what they can and cannot do the rest of their lives.

That's what you did. Sorry.

Ouch! Im not dumb enough to be surprized. But when you look at it that the way you put it, it seems so much worse but I get the point that anything more than experimental is to much and doesn't look good. No I wasnt a junkie and no It wasnt a lifelong dream of becomeing a cop. Your talking to some one who throughout my life, had level 2 security clearance for GE Astrospace(final asembly plant for Sattlelites), 4 years of electrical school to become a journeyman electrician, I was a Certified EMT, Owed legitimate company's including a Burgular and Fire Alarm Co., and was 1 of 4 technicians in the entire country(at the time) who had the capability and knowledge to service and install a particular Fiber-Optic Camera System for government installations. I'm no dummy, not to mention one of the most trusting guys you'll ever meet. I currently have a Lic & Ins. Vent Service Co. to prevent fire because I am a registered by the state of Florida as a Fire Systems Agent. Im at the point where I want to start over, I want to do something real important to help people thats all. I know this doesn't change anything but I don't want you to think your wasting time on some scumbag. Thanks for your reply. Darin P.S. Trust me when I tell you Big Sexy that there are plenty of good people like Doctors, Lawyers, Cops and Judges who have made the same mistakes.


A mistake is when your socks dont match. The adult choice to knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily use drugs is a crime. Everything you said about yourself sounded like you are a great person and a good citizen UNTIL you blew it with the " casual " use of cocaine.

You made a bad choice and you now have to live with it.

I understand and agree with ALL the feedback. Once again I apprieciate everyone's time and thank you all again. I have decided to go back and be a paramedic which Im certainly well capable of. I told you those bad "CHOICES"
I made are not going to ruin the rest of my life.

Thanks Again and stay safe. Darin