Ouch, something I just realized.

[JustDontDie]

I know this sound rediculous, and I'm sure it's kind of unprofessional. But, is there no way to make an agreement with the department that if something were to happen to me on the job I would not hold them liable in any way, and they financially wouldn't need to be responsible for me? May be a stupid question, but it sounds reasonable to me.

[Deputy757]

The problem is with my dept, at least is that anything to do with BP, heart, cardiovascular system is assumed to be job related if it goes on the blink after you're hired. That's why they are so leery of people with those problems. You could conceivably go off your meds, have a heart or other problem because of the BP and the city would have to foot the bill for the rest of your life. It's not like having corrective lens for your eyes. TB, heart, cardiovascular problems, hernia, pneumonia and AIDS are assumed to be job related problems.

All this is true AND it may not even be the PD's call. The health insurance carrier may be the entity that puts the brakes on your application. If they won't cover you with a pre-existing condition like this, then the department really has no choice in the matter.
I realize that this may encourage someone to NOT disclose it on a medical history questionaire. You have to remember that if it comes to light later on, you could be terminated for no reason at all. This would be horrible especially if you had a medical emergency due to the condition and the city decided to let you go.
Good luck.

[Deputy757]

I know this sound rediculous, and I'm sure it's kind of unprofessional. But, is there no way to make an agreement with the department that if something were to happen to me on the job I would not hold them liable in any way, and they financially wouldn't need to be responsible for me? May be a stupid question, but it sounds reasonable to me.

The problem with this scenario is that the city is going to invest a lot of money training you and grooming you to become a quality officer. If there is a chance that they are going to lose you prematurely, they have to take that into consideration. Plus, I don't think that such agreements are generally enforceable. AND...that would not cover the problem that I mentioned in my first post.

[JustDontDie]

Ok, I gotcha. Thanks everyone. I guess all I can do is continue on in life and if LE is where I really see myself wanting to go, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it (that is, if they let me cross).

[scott715us]

I have seen children with high blood pressures. In most cases with children and young adults, it's usually about their size and lack of physical activity. Exercise and diet can bring one's blood pressure down significantly. I am borderline high cholesterol, which also runs in my family, but I know I could bring it down if I decided to eat right.

The high cholesterol is not as risky as the high blood pressure, so it's best to follow the doctor's advice on keeping it down. It only takes one stroke or cardiac arrest to end your career, and possibly your life.

As far as the illness that runs in your family, if it doesn't affect your physical or mental ability, I think you still have a good chance at law enforcement work.

[JustDontDie]

Thank you. Well, I'm not over weight, usually I tend to picture people with high blood pressure as being overweight. I'm underweight, I don't really exercize at all, and I think my diet could be better. So does this still apply to me?