Will diabetes hurt my chances

[demc383]

I'm at the very beginning of my journey to becoming an LEO. I have been a type 1 insulin dependant diabetic since i was 13.(i'm 25 now)

I am wondering if this will affect me in the hiring process as well as the day to day aspects of the job.

Thanks for any responses.

[mcsap]

Will a doctor state in writing that you are 100% physically capable of performing the duties of a police officer ? ( taking into account your diabetes)

This is where you will make it nor not.

[demc383]

yes i have my diabetes in tight control

[ChesCopPodz]

What happens to you if you miss an insulin shot. I've been on the perimiter of a barricaded suspect call for over 12 hours without being able to eat anything because of the danger of moving from that spot. And 12 hours by far is not the longest some officers have had to do that.

If you'd be able to easily handle the above situation without any physical problems, and a doctor signs off on you, you should be fine.

If the above situation would send you into diabetic shock, then you shouldn't do this job. Having that happen in that situation could get you killed, or someone else killed

[demc383]

i'm actually in the process of getting on a pump that will allow me to adjust the amount of insulin i am receiving on a continuos basis

[retdetsgt]

Mine wouldn't accept you. People with diabetes at your age tend to have physical problems down the road that are complications of diabetes. They would be concerned about you being able to finish your career in decent physical shape because of it.

The cold hard truth is there are too many people eligible for the job that don't have it.

Sorry.

[mcsap]

yes i have my diabetes in tight control

Please understand that what you say doesn't matter. Will a doctor state in writing that you are physically fit to perform the duties of a police officer ?

[DeltaV]

A diabetic would not pass the physical exam to be accepted as a member of the pension, which is contingent upon being hired. So yes, it would DQ you here.

[SnapShawt]

This is definitely one of those things that will vary from agency to agency. Best you can do is apply and see if THEIR doctors sign off on you. Talk to recruiters first.

[Rad Diver]

I'm diabetic and have been one for over 22 yrs. I've been on the pump for over 8 yrs. I've worked the road, currently a detective, police diver, and a few other duties.

I'm in Florida and I know of a few other diabetics in my agency. Just get ready for quetions from other LEO's: What if you have low blood sugar? I kept glucose tablets in my pocket and my car. I also kept food in my car, but being on the pump food shouldn't be an issue. I keep the pump on my duty belt in a leather case I had made to hold it, thus I never tried to hide it from my training officers or my fellow officers. Just FYI the pump has a tube that goes into the body, so the tube would slightly stick out and could be easily replaced in the event it go snapped or cut.

As long as a doctor signs off and you can pass the physical, no probs here.

[retdetsgt]

We've always had a couple or more guys with diabetes, but they came down with it after they were hired. It was pretty much an unwritten rule that one diabetic shock episode and they go off on non service disablity for the duration. We had one guy go into shock and crash his police car causing a lot of probs for the agency. They don't make people go off just because they get the disease, but they aren't tolerate of anyone not taking care of themselves.

But as SnapShawt said, different depts have different ideas about it.