Would having ADD Disqualify you fom being able to be a cop

[driven21m]

i am in the procss with a dept now, and I just want to make sure, that me having ADD will not Disqualfy me fom being hired. Plus I graduate from college in May so I figure If I can handle that I should be able to handle the academy .

[DeputyMadMax]

I think it will depend on how severe your ADD is. If it is bad enough that you are not going to pass the academy, it will of course be a problem.

I have ADD, it made things hard in the academy, but doesn't effect me on the job. If you're like me, you have a hard time in class rooms. Learning from someone standing there talking is nearly useless. But anything I do hands on, I retain easily. And since 90% of police work is hands on, it's easy to learn.

But my ADD is light, so this wasn't toooo much trouble. There are a lot of differant levels of ADD. I don't remember ever being asked if I was ADD. As long as you have the qualifications to apply, and you can pass the academy, you'll be fine. Besides, I don't think they can discriminate against just ADD. I'm sure the ADA would jump all over that one.

[nj50]

i would guess. and this is only a guess, that of you were able to pass all the academy training even with ADD then it wouldnt prohibit you from being an officer. someone confirm or deny....

[Newbie31]

It could become an issue during the psych depending on how bad you have it and if you take medication for. I doubt they would come out and say that you are DQ'ed because you have ADD. They would prolly just say that you did'nt pass the psych, that way it is harder for you to sue them. In my opnion I think it would depend on the department and the people administering the psych evaulations. You may be very cabable of doing the job, but a lot of depts. these days are extremly careful who they hire. With so many applicants it is easy for them to be picky. Good luck and apply as many places as you can, there a plently of officers who got rejected by one place and then got on at another.

[driven21m]

It could become an issue during the psych depending on how bad you have it and if you take medication for. I doubt they would come out and say that you are DQ'ed because you have ADD. They would prolly just say that you did'nt pass the psych, that way it is harder for you to sue them. In my opnion I think it would depend on the department and the people administering the psych evaulations. You may be very cabable of doing the job, but a lot of depts. these days are extremly careful who they hire. With so many applicants it is easy for them to be picky. Good luck and apply as many places as you can, there a plently of officers who got rejected by one place and then got on at another.

I dont take any medication for it, and i ahve passed everythign else so far, the writen and the interview and am currently in background. I jsut dont want it to be an issue later.

[vbgecko]

An officer at my local PD has Narcolepsy. As long as he takes a pill every two hours hes fine. I'm pretty sure, if you can do the job without problems, PD's wouldn't have a problem. Like DepMax said " I'm sure the ADA would jump all over that one" if they were to disqualify you for a half-*ssed reason.

[podunk cop]

i had an academy freind who had add. he didnt make it through fto though.

[corporal716]

I worked for years with a guy who has ADD. He does fine

[ogdogg16]

I dont take any medication for it, and i ahve passed everythign else so far, the writen and the interview and am currently in background. I jsut dont want it to be an issue later.

Do you even really have ADD? Did the doctor diagnose you or you just think you have it b/c of trouble focusing? If you don't take any medicine for it, I don't see why it would be a problem.

[driven21m]

Do you even really have ADD? Did the doctor diagnose you or you just think you have it b/c of trouble focusing? If you don't take any medicine for it, I don't see why it would be a problem.

I took a test for it at the doctors and th test came out saying I have add, he wanted to set up an appointment for me to get medication but i told him I was not sure if I wanted to take medication.

[FPS207]

I have never seen if you have ADD asked on applications. So my opinion would be that it shouldn't be a problem. If you are also not taking medications, then I would be confident you have nothing to worry about. Applications do ask if you take any medications. Good luck.

[driven21m]

I have never seen if you have ADD asked on applications. So my opinion would be that it shouldn't be a problem. If you are also not taking medications, then I would be confident you have nothing to worry about. Applications do ask if you take any medications. Good luck.

Yeah the doctor said they can’t look at my medical records anyways unless I sighed a waver or something. But Guess what I did sign a waver for them to be able to grab my medical records, employment records and anything else they want for the background process.

[ogdogg16]

Honestly I would say you are fine. What dept is it? I took the nypd medical, and I passed. It took all of about 10 seconds for the doc to make the determination. We filled out a long form detailing entire medical history. There was a bunch of check boxes and you had to check which applied to you. The only people who didnt get through immediately were those who had recent operations which could effect job performance (mainly knees, shoulders, wrists). I believe ADD was a box, but if you check it and explain you have a mild case and no medicine is neccessary I'm sure you will be fine.

I'm not a physician or a LEO, but just detailing my experience and opinion.

[mcsap]

If you won't sign the med records waiver, you won't last long. PD's can't afford to take any chances on new hires these days with all of the lawsuits that can ( and do ) arise. Acknowledge it, know your limitations and if you can pass everything else, I don't see why it would be an issue.

BTW, what exactly would the meds do for you ? And what side effects are there ?

[txinvestigator1]

I would agree with all of the responses here. I believe that.............................................. .............oh wait, I got distracted, what was the question? ;)