A question from a LEO hopeful.

[Dyne]

Hello all,

I have applied to several law enforcement agencies over the past year as I come closer to graduating with my undergraduate degree in political science in the spring of 2009.

I am currently taking an SSRI, known as Paxil CR, for minimal anxiety. I began taking the medication sometime three years ago, when my grandmother had a heart attack. Since I felt a little more anxious than normal after that incident, my doctor prescribed Paxil CR to mitigate my semi-anxiousness. I have not been, and never have been diagnosed with any anxiety disorders.

So my question to any Officer here is, will taking a small dosage of Paxil CR (it is 25 mg), affect my hiring chances?

My doctor has informed me the usual dosage prescribed to patients is 100 mg or above, and has even stated that she believes taking such a low dosage would not prohibit my employment as a LEO. She also seemed willing to write a detailed description of why she wishes me to stay on it, and a detailed description of my medical history to provide to department doctors.

I am just curious to see what those of you think who are currently in law enforcement.

Any advice or answer would be highly, and greatly appreciated, thank you,

Dyne

[mcsap]

Our job can be anxiety causing and can amplify existing issues. I am not saying it is necesarily a DQ but it is a DING on your application.

What are you going to do if you get anxious at work ? What are you going to do at a suicide scene ? Fatal crash ? Domestic with kids hurt ?

The death of a family member is not always easily "dismissed" but you may need some psych doctor to assist you to get over this instead of medicating yourself for the rest of your life.

My .02

[Dyne]

Our job can be anxiety causing and can amplify existing issues. I am not saying it is necesarily a DQ but it is a DING on your application.

What are you going to do if you get anxious at work ? What are you going to do at a suicide scene ? Fatal crash ? Domestic with kids hurt ?

The death of a family member is not always easily "dismissed" but you may need some psych doctor to assist you to get over this instead of medicating yourself for the rest of your life.

My .02

Thank you for the quick reply.

Well, since taking this small dosage (25 mg), I have had non-existent anxiety. From follow-ups with my medical doctor over the years she has informed me that it seems to have done the job. It doesn't affect my reasoning, judgment, or focus. If anything, I have noticed increased concentration over the past three years.

I have a pretty strong gut when it comes to viewing things that are out of the ordinary, and feel I would not have a problem dealing with the situations you have described.

Thanks again for the response, I figured it would be a DING on my application.

[Legoate]

Doesn't really matter what we think, all that matters is the standards set forth through your department psychologist. They are the ones that hold all the cards when you go see them, and it's pretty hard to predict what they'll say. I've seen some people that seemed really normal to me get DQ'd by the psych eval just prior to being hired. Have no idea why they didn't make it, because it's not general knowledge.

Best of luck to you. I'm sure you think you'll do fine, but nobody knows what this job really entails until they actually walk the beat for a while- there is a bit more to it than most people think.

[Dyne]

Doesn't really matter what we think, all that matters is the standards set forth through your department psychologist. They are the ones that hold all the cards when you go see them, and it's pretty hard to predict what they'll say. I've seen some people that seemed really normal to me get DQ'd by the psych eval just prior to being hired. Have no idea why they didn't make it, because it's not general knowledge.

Best of luck to you. I'm sure you think you'll do fine, but nobody knows what this job really entails until they actually walk the beat for a while- there is a bit more to it than most people think.

Thanks for the well wishes, and I agree, I do not know exactly what the job entails or the hardships it requires, the best I can do is train, and read about others experiences. However, I look forward to the opportunity of joining the ranks of law enforcement one day.