If any vets out there have any advice....

[YungBuk]

I'm trying to get into Law Enforcement and have been talking to alot of the local LEOs trying to get good answers to my questions, I recently registered on this site so I'll give you the set up and if you guys can help please by all means do.

I'm 21 yo now but back a few years ago all I wanted to do was party. I always hung around a bad element but when my father died I had no where to run but the streets, as my mother had just been released from Fl. DOC a few monthes prior and was not a really great parent. I have done things in the past that were illegal (I was arrested for simple posesion when I was 15). I have used controlled substances ( Marijuana, pills,LSD (3 times)) My question is do you think this will hinder me from being hired or should I just chill out?

It's been a while since I did anything other than drink a beer. We'll say it took me a while to grow up. But any advice would be helpful thanks.

[ChesCopPodz]

While I commend your turn around, the use of hard drugs is an automatic DQ for the vast majority of departments.

[YungBuk]

Thanks for the reply. I spoke with a LEO from the local PSD yesterday and he said I should be fine unless they reall stress the LSD. So even experimenting with LSD 2 or 3 times, I'm really not sure, when I was 16 can get me DQ from being hired into LE?

[Old Trooper]

My guess is the use of LSD/pills will get you DQ'd with most, if not all departments...

[spitfire]

I'd don't know of any departments that wouldn't DQ you with your history of drug use, particularly the LSD.

[valycop]

My guess is the use of LSD/pills will get you DQ'd with most, if not all departments...

Yungbuk, I'm afraid I have to agree with "Old Trooper;" speaking for my own agency if an applicant has used anything more than marijuana it is an automatic disqualifier. I can't speak for all agencies, but the only way to really find out is inquire of the agency you're interested in.

[scott715us]

There are a few agencies out there that will allow some drug use as long as there is vast distance between the time of applying and the time of the use. They may be a little softer if the use was during your teen years.

I hope your signature (Yungbuk) is not referring to the rapper. He is an asshat. Good luck to ya. ;)

[bhanson]

Thanks for the reply. I spoke with a LEO from the local PSD yesterday and he said I should be fine unless they reall stress the LSD. So even experimenting with LSD 2 or 3 times, I'm really not sure, when I was 16 can get me DQ from being hired into LE?

It would on my department and all in my area. I'd consider another career choice.

[Valor55]

You've done well with a turnaround. I commend you, it isn't easy digging out of that kind of hole.

The problem you will face is the LSD. The drug gets stored in fat cells. Later when you metabolize that cell it releases the drug back into your blood causing another trip. Some people go their whole lives never having one of these trips. Others may have them frequently and some may only have 1 but 20 years after the original consumtion. Nobody is going to want to take a chance that an armed cop who is already paranoid is going to suddenly start hallucinating on a bad LSD trip while driving down the street. While the chances of this may be miniscule I doubt you will find an agency brave enough to take the risk.

I think that you will be disqualified from anywhere you apply automatically. Don't take our word for it though and call a few police departments and ask their recruiter. Explain like you did above and how long it has been since the drug use.

There are lots of support jobs in law enforcement that you may be interested in, as well as dispatching. With rare exception they apparently let any dumbass dispatch so you are more than likely over qualified. There are also side industries such as bail bonding and enforcement in which you would basically be self employed. If you get yourself some good training and act professionally you will do very well for yourself.

Good luck!

[YungBuk]

I greatly appreciate all of you guys for taking time to read my thread. I think I will ask my recruiting officers at the departments at which I am applying about the use of the LSD. I really will hate if my ****ty lifestyle in my past DQ's me from a career in law enforcemnet. Well if it does I guess I can take shot at dispatch or something as long as I can be involved in the law enforcment comunity. I still ask my self sometimes why I even did the crap. I knew moving to PA with my ex-con mom was a freakin mistake, well chalk one up to being young, confused and stupid.

[YungBuk]

I deffinately understand the whole officer armed with a loaded pistol on a call having a flashback thing fear and will deffinately understand the DQ if the department does deem it nessasary. I just remembered I recently had a conversation with a LEO in my area who I'm pretty sure said he had also "Eperimented" with some narcotics in his youth but he's also in his late twenties ealy thirties and has been a LEO for seven years at a local department. Just for giggles Valor55 posted earlier on that the narcotic stores in your fat cells and later releases when you metabolize the fat. Do you think a low body fat percentage could effect the likley hood of a relapse? Just wondering.

[Valor55]

I deffinately understand the whole officer armed with a loaded pistol on a call having a flashback thing fear and will deffinately understand the DQ if the department does deem it nessasary. I just remembered I recently had a conversation with a LEO in my area who I'm pretty sure said he had also "Eperimented" with some narcotics in his youth but he's also in his late twenties ealy thirties and has been a LEO for seven years at a local department. Just for giggles Valor55 posted earlier on that the narcotic stores in your fat cells and later releases when you metabolize the fat. Do you think a low body fat percentage could effect the likley hood of a relapse? Just wondering.

I'm not a doctor so I don't "KNOW" how it works. I have been trained that LSD will get stored in your fat cells. Even if you have low body fat % you still have it and it's like the lottery whether you ever burn a cell with the LSD in it or not. It's still a risk however.

Experimentation in LE usually means a couple times trying pot as a kid. Anything harder, even when young and stupid, is usually an automatic DQ regardless of how much you've changed.

[scott715us]

I deffinately understand the whole officer armed with a loaded pistol on a call having a flashback thing fear and will deffinately understand the DQ if the department does deem it nessasary. I just remembered I recently had a conversation with a LEO in my area who I'm pretty sure said he had also "Eperimented" with some narcotics in his youth but he's also in his late twenties ealy thirties and has been a LEO for seven years at a local department. Just for giggles Valor55 posted earlier on that the narcotic stores in your fat cells and later releases when you metabolize the fat. Do you think a low body fat percentage could effect the likley hood of a relapse? Just wondering.

Two things: 1) Spelling is your friend (definitely & experimented)

2) LSD and other hallucinogens (mushrooms) can still be detected years from when they were taken by DNA testing. ;)

[sgtbear111]

Search a larger area and check the "adminstrative standards" for applicants in those areas where you inquire. They should be able to tell you over the phone, these standards should not be a secret. LSD is the one that will DQ you from my dept as well, for all the same reasons given here. There are some depts out there that may consider you; then it's time to sell yourself as a good applicant, in spite of your youth. Growing up is tough, you got kicked around a bit and found maturity early; a concern for any prospective employer. Your taking the direct approach shows that maturity and responsibility. Attitude is important, one indicator you are going to be successfull wherever the voyage of life takes you.

[codered]

interesting........what did the 'other LE's' you spoke to say?

Furthermore, you stated that when you father died...you had no where to run but the streets.......does this 'statement' mean you were affiliated with a 'gang'?