Did I ruin my chances before I ever started?

[Grizz]

Hello all,

First of, I want to say thank you for all that you do. You guys defiantly do a job that does not get the appreciation and thanks that it deserves.

I am extremely interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. It's the only thing I see myself doing, and I feel like I would make a good fit and it would be something I would be good at. I have family in Law Enforcement and I have done a ride along as well. I am 19 years old, and just finished my first semester of college.

That being said, this is what concerns me about my future possibilities of following my dream of being a Police Officer.

As far as my record goes, I only have one possession of alcohol by minor between 18-20, other than that I have had a traffic ticket dropped, as well as a fishing without a license citation dropped. I know this is probably minor as far as my eligibility, but I feel like it's worth mentioning.

What really concerns me is my drug history. In high school I experimented and was an avid user of marijuana, smoking several times throughout my high school years. This led to trying other drugs, such as shrooms (one time), and pain killers (including Lowertabs, and lines ofOpana's a few times)

I feel as if I have grown up tremendously in the last few months. I did smoke marijuana a few times in the early portion of my first semester of college, but after really sitting and thinking of my future and what I want to do and what I know im capable of I made the decision to never touch any of that stuff again... a temporary high is not worth jeopardizing my future and what I want to do. Yes, it may have taken me a little longer than others to have this realization, but I have and I can only go from here, if I could go back and change it I would have NEVER touched any of that stuff.

I have done a lot of research in some local Police Departments and what it takes to get hired onto a department. I have read about the poly's and the type of questions they ask, including drug history. I feel as if as soon as they find out about my experimenting that I would be DQ'd on the spot and my hopes and dreams of becoming a Police Officer will come to a halt. Granted, I know you are responsible for your actions, and I am not hiding behind any excuses but I feel like penalizing you for what you did in High School is fairly harsh. If anyone could shed some light on my situation I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, (sorry for such a drawn out post) but I have also been throwing around the idea of serving in the Reserves for either the Marine Corps or the Army. While that has been something I have wanted to do, while still pursuing a college degree, would that hold any weight in my situation? As in, having something like Military Service on my resume they may be more willing to overlook my drug experimenting?

I also realize I still have a few years before I can even apply to a PD, but this is something that has been weighing on my mind heavily and I would like to know what exactly im up against.
Thank you for your time, and any help you may be able to give me. Stay safe out there fellas.

[retdetsgt]

The drugs will probably kill your chances. We won't take anyone who ever used hallucinatory drugs even once. We will forgive "experimentation" with marijuana if everything else is good and about 5 years has passed, but if you were an avid user, that's too much. I would look for a different career path.

[Kimble]

The drugs will probably kill your chances. We won't take anyone who ever used hallucinatory drugs even once. We will forgive "experimentation" with marijuana if everything else is good and about 5 years has passed, but if you were an avid user, that's too much. I would look for a different career path.

^What he said.

[mcsap]

" What really concerns me is my drug history. In high school I experimented and was an avid user of marijuana, smoking several times throughout my high school years."

What really concerns me is that you are say you were an avid user of mj but only smoked it several times throughout your highschool years ?

[pac201]

I agree with my colleagues, just too much in your history...

[Grizz]

Thank you all for responding.

I understand your positions, but I am not willing to give up that easily. I think I'm going to continue to pursue it, I understand I messed up, I was in high school, it's easy to get mixed into the wrong crowd and do the wrong things. I wish I would have had more integrity but it is what it is. I just find it hard to believe that there are not Police officers on the job that have made similar decisions while younger and still worked out to be great officers. Thanks your your time.

[deputywave]

I agree with the others, your drug usage is gonna sink you. I get that you won't give up on becoming a LEO. You need to remember that even if you find an agency that will forgive your usage, there will be many other candidates with no usage issues trying for limited openings. Who do you think will be hired?

[Kimble]

Thank you all for responding.

I understand your positions, but I am not willing to give up that easily. I think I'm going to continue to pursue it, I understand I messed up, I was in high school, it's easy to get mixed into the wrong crowd and do the wrong things. I wish I would have had more integrity but it is what it is. I just find it hard to believe that there are not Police officers on the job that have made similar decisions while younger and still worked out to be great officers. Thanks your your time.

You may not be willing to "give up easily," and if you want to apply to as many agencies you like none of us will likely lose any sleep, HOWEVER, the smart person in your position will also develop a Plan B. If you want to let agencies tell you "no" themselves in the hopes of finding one that says "yes," go right ahead, but eventually as an adult you'll need to find gainful employment to pay the bills (as a 19 year old in college I would STRONGLY advise you to study something in another field for the likely need to gain employment in a different career).

[Grizz]

Please don't take that post as in an insulting manner. I respect and appreciate every post you guys have taken the time to post. But can you guys answer this? Do you think there are no police officers with a background similar to mine? I am not attempting to hide behind that argument, but simply trying to say that my abilities or potential to be a good police officer shouldn't have anything to do with my poor decisions in high school. But alas, reality is reality. As far as candidates that haven't made the mistakes I've made, of course they are going to be the better candidate to hire. I understand that and fully accept that I'm not in the best position I could be in, but I'm not willing to give up on it. As far as a plan b goes, probably not a bad idea just in case. A big reason of why I want to be a police officer is because I've seen what crime and drug usage can do to a person. I have seen what drugs have done to my friends and their families and I want to make a difference. I want to do my part just like you all do.

[mcsap]

Please don't take that post as in an insulting manner. I respect and appreciate every post you guys have taken the time to post. But can you guys answer this? Do you think there are no police officers with a background similar to mine? Perhaps , but there are fewer jobs and many applicants. WHy should we hire someone with a drug history like yours when there are plenty that have none ? You were an avid user of mj ( that means a LOT) , used mushrooms and painkillers. That is well above and beyond someone who tried mj. You say you smoked MJ in the early portion of your first semester and that you JUST finished your first semester. You may feel that you have grown up a lot but in my opinion , you have a LONG way to go. I am not attempting to hide behind that argument, but simply trying to say that my abilities or potential to be a good police officer shouldn't have anything to do with my poor decisions in high school. But alas, reality is reality. As far as candidates that haven't made the mistakes you didn't make mistakes, you made intentional choices. A mistake is when your socks dont match. You chose to use drugs as an adult. I've made, of course they are going to be the better candidate to hire. I understand that and fully accept that I'm not in the best position I could be in, but I'm not willing to give up on it. As far as a plan b goes, probably not a bad idea just in case. A big reason of why I want to be a police officer is because I've seen what crime and drug usage can do to a person.Anyone who watches TV can see what you are talking about. I have seen what drugs have done to my friends and their families and I want to make a difference. I want to do my part just like you all do.

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[flaleo]

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What you said was right on.

As for the OP, I found it interesting as well that you say you have grown up yet you used cannabis in college in your first semester which you just finished. How long is a semester? Three to five months depending on college right? This to me means you have not grown up at all and aren't taking what you want to do in life career wise seriously. I can appreciate you coming here for answer's but you can't possibly think we would see this as a non issue would you?


Add in the drug use which would bring you a felony charge for being in possession of and this is even worse. I don't know of many agency's that will hire this day in age with this type of behavior.


Everything you do, no matter the age, is a direct reflection of who you are and what choices you make. Simply advising that you did things as a young kid doesn't cut it. I'm sorry. As other's have advised, the candidate pool is to large now a days for department's to think about considering a candidate with this past. Granted, it could happen but I would think it's very slim chances. Just being honest with you. Your 19 and can easily choose a different path in college.

[Grizz]

At the beginning of the semester I did partake in smoking a few times, yes. but like I said in my original post, I had a moment of realization and realized I was making the wrong choices and that I was jeopardizing my future (Which according to you guys I ruined a long time ago...) I realize my choices are a direct reflection of me, but I think it would be fair to say that people realize they make bad choices and have the chance to change. When I say I made mistakes that was not me rationalizing nor justifying any of my choices. Yes, I made decisions that were wrong and I realize that now and that's why i refer to them as mistakes, because that's exactly what they were.

I appreciate everyones honestly and directness, hopefully everything works out for me in the long run. If my chances of being a Police Officer are non existent then I will find another career that allows me the fulfillment of making a difference, rather that be military or whatever. Thank you for your time gentlemen.

[pac201]

I will encourage you to apply, if you don't you will never know.

On another note, before you apply do some research at the agencies that you are interested in. In this age of technology you can find out pretty much everything you need to know about a department; ie hiring standards, dq's etc.

Keep us posted.

[Grizz]

This is posted on the website for the Department I wish to work for:

"Must not have bought, sold or possessed marijuana within three years prior to time of application; or bought, sold or possessed any controlled substance or narcotic drug without a prescription within six years prior to time of application."

ww.louisvilleky.gov/MetroPolice/Recruitment/Recruit+Selection+Process.htm]LMPD[/url] Police Recruit Application and Selection Process - Recruitment - LouisvilleKy .gov

So I may not be able to be eligible directly out of college, but there is still a slight chance I will be considered a few years after. I know the odds are not in my favor, but I will hold onto the slight chance I have, and use it for motivation to continue along the right path. I can't change the past, but I am in complete control of my choices from this point on, and regardless of the turn out in the long run these choices will serve me well and make me a better person.

[DeltaV]

You might meet the minimum standards a few years after college, but are you really thinking that just because you meet the MINIMUM standards you will be a competitive applicant? IMO, the marijuana isn't even as big of an issue as the other drugs that you've used that are a lot more serious. It seems like you just want someone to tell you what you want to hear, which just isn't going to happen.

If you're looking to land a LE job in Kentucky then you need to understand that Louisville, Lexington, and KSP are the premier agencies in the state that get tons of applicants. You probably will be able to find a job in LE at some small department in Eastern KY making about $10 an hour, but Louisville gets enough applicants that they can afford to be a lot more selective.