Just a quick question

[Cop wanna be]

I live out here in the San Fernando valley, Los Angeles and I'm a 26 years old and lived in L.A. all my life, I'm a caucasion male and I'm thinking heavily about becoming a LEO. Beside being a life long dream to be a cop, I'm now getting ready to get married and start a family. I'm sure I won't have a problem with the physical training, it's the back ground check that I'm worried about. I don't have any felony's or anything like that, but I have smoked marijauna many times in the past and still do on occasion. I have no doubt in my mind that I would be a excellent cop, I have all the tools it takes. Just worried about the marijuana thing. What do you guys think?

[Scruit]

Still do? Big problem.

[corporal716]

Department all have their own drug use policies. They take into account the amount of use and when it was last used. Being that you, " still do on occasion " you are going to have a problem in several areas of the background. Using, possessing, and buying issues like that. Your best bet is to stop using and wate between 2 & 5 years and apply then.

[Cop wanna be]

Don't you think 2-5 years is little long? I know for a fact that there are officers who have experimented and are still in active duty. Not saying that it's a good thing, just saying 2-5 seems a little extreme.

[Somebody]

2-5 years really isn't too long, in fact, many places won't take you at all if you smoked after 21.

[corporal716]

I'm sure there are active duty officers doing it, but they all run the risk of losing their jobs.

[Cop wanna be]

How can they tell if and when you've smoked? Unless you tell them...

[Cop wanna be]

It's hard for me to believe that a police force would turn away a prime canidate, besides that fact I'm white, just because he/she has smoked some pot in the recent past. As a police officer with past experience do you think smoking pot effects a police officers performance in th field? Remember we are talking about marijauna, not crack cocaine, or meth or any kind. I'm not PRO marijauna, just curious to see other peoples thought on this.

[corporal716]

When you apply they are going to do an extensive background check and most likely a lie detector test.
They will findout all kinds of things you did not tell them about. Plus if you lie about drug use or anything else for that matter you will be DQ'ed

[Seand442]

Congrats on being white, it really has no bearing. This is 2004 the last I saw. This job is about integrity. When you are offered a joint, you have to do the right thing. If you are smoking weed, you are breaking the law. Plain and simple. Now what dept is going to want to hire someone who knowingly breaks the law? It may not be a big deal to you, but 99.99% of depts will find out about it and they will not hire you. Remember, you are not the only person applying for a job. Check out the PD's websites and see what their policies are. You might have a snowballs chance.

[Cop wanna be]

Thanks for the heads up about 2004, fuk'n azzwipe. You should'nt be so nieve about that kind of stuff Seand442, unfortunatly race STILL is a factor in employment these days. You must not be a white and probably don't live in Los Angeles, but back to the matter at hand. As for your "snowball chance" comment, I know many officers who have smoked pot, amoung other things and are currently working for a department. Again I'm not PRO marijuana, I just wanted to ask my enitial question because I know many people that are cops and they all tell me what a great cop I'd be. The fact that I smoked post in the recent past is my only real vice. Any more input would be appreciated.

[Toeknee112]

Don't you think 2-5 years is little long? I know for a fact that there are officers who have experimented and are still in active duty. Not saying that it's a good thing, just saying 2-5 seems a little extreme.

What you know for a fact doesn't mean squat in your situation. Do you think if you told an interviewer or background investigator that you "know for a fact that there are officers who have experimented and are still in active duty" that it would make a difference? They don't care that you think 2-5 years is a little extreme.

[Toeknee112]

It's hard for me to believe that a police force would turn away a prime canidate, besides that fact I'm white, just because he/she has smoked some pot in the recent past. As a police officer with past experience do you think smoking pot effects a police officers performance in th field? Remember we are talking about marijauna, not crack cocaine, or meth or any kind. I'm not PRO marijauna, just curious to see other peoples thought on this.

This post is proof that you have no business in law enforcement.
Go away troll!

[syrnypolice]

I live out here in the San Fernando valley, Los Angeles and I'm a 26 years old and lived in L.A. all my life, I'm a caucasion male and I'm thinking heavily about becoming a LEO. Beside being a life long dream to be a cop, I'm now getting ready to get married and start a family. I'm sure I won't have a problem with the physical training, it's the back ground check that I'm worried about. I don't have any felony's or anything like that, but I have smoked marijauna many times in the past and still do on occasion. I have no doubt in my mind that I would be a excellent cop, I have all the tools it takes. Just worried about the marijuana thing. What do you guys think?

If you want to apply for the LAPD you should check here first. Fill out the preliminary background check form and see what it tells you. I think they are pretty strict about prior, and especially ongoing, drug use.

http://www.lacity.org/PER/pbq_intro.htm

[Jynkxxie]

Wow! I sit in amazement.