I need an officer's opinion

[CrazyCuban]

Hello my name is Jonathan. I am currently a Junior at my high school. I am interested in becoming a police officer. I decided I wanted to become an officer as a child because I was always with the wrong crowd. I have seen both sides of the law, and trust me, it wasn't that hard to decide what side of the law I wanted to be a part of. I am curious as to what it takes from ones self to be a police officer. Do I have to get a degree in the criminal justice field? What is the academy like? Also, what should i expect when i apply, and how can i prepare for it? And would my chances of being hired be greater if i was to pay for and complete the academy before applying at my local police department? I also have 2 traffic tickets, careless driving, and violation of the driving permit. Unfortunately while i was younger, I smoked mariajuana, but i do not do that anymore. Will this keep me from getting hired, and if not, how will it affect me? Thank you!

[retdetsgt]

If you've wanted to be a cop for so long, why did you smoke marijuana? And why did you drive like that and break the law? Pretty poor planning, don't you think?

You don't need a degree in Criminal Justice, but one in anything will help. Besides, going to college will get some time between that lousy driving and applying. The marijuana smoking might be a deal breaker, depending on how much you smoked.

[patchcop]

Like retdetsgt said, when you wanted to be a cop when you're a young kid, why do you smoked MJ?

The guys and gals in this forum know that I'm a hardliner with that. Anyone who does drugs in the past isn't worth to become a LEO!!!!!! There are enough nice gals and guys out there who are worth to be, who have a clean record, no tickets, no DUI, no files, no anything. Who do you think a dept. will hire?

[slayer5811]

As far as the degree goes it really depends on where you are applying. Some departments require it (IE State agencies etc).

As for the marijuana...thats a touchy situation. Some agencies will let you slide with past "experimental" useage but nothing more than that. The good thing you have going for you is that you have a good few years before being able to apply (you usually need to be 21). So keep yourself clean and keep your driving habits in check and you should be fine.

As for the Academy I have no clue. Here in SC the academy is taken care of by the dept.

The most important thing is do not hide anything in your hiring process. Theres nothing worse than an applicant with no integrity (other than a cop without integrity).

Hope this helps.

[S43riff]

See next,,,edit issues...hahahha

[S43riff]

Careless driving on your record??? Won't touch you until you can show an 8 year clean record. Drugs? If it was more then a few times (experimental) Automatic DQ. But that is my department. Maybe once you have put some years ahead of it...clean years..like 8-10.

[CrazyCuban]

Well see I didnt really notice i wanted to be a police officer until all of this had happened...bad timing of things...the marijuana thing was experimental, and wasnt too big of a deal.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Well see I didnt really notice i wanted to be a police officer until all of this had happened...bad timing of things...the marijuana thing was experimental, and wasnt too big of a deal.

I think you will find as you apply that it will be the hiring department's opinion and not yours how big a deal it is...

[Big Sexy]

I didnt really notice i wanted to be a police officer until all of this had happened.

What the hell does that even mean?? :confused:
You didn't notice. :confused::rolleyes:

[mcsap]

You are a Junior in HS and you already have two tickets ? You have a long way to go.

[Roger Dat]

Well see I didnt really notice i wanted to be a police officer until all of this had happened...bad timing of things...the marijuana thing was experimental, and wasnt too big of a deal.

Well why in your first post do you state you wanted to be a cop since you were a child?:confused:

Excuses get you nothing. When your mature enough to admit your past discretions and take responsibility for them you may be mature enough to apply till then nope.

[CrazyCuban]

like I said, It was always a childhood dream, but It didnt really hit me until the confrontation I had with police. You see I was driving back to my friends house, and I had just left my house. about 2 blocks away I noticed I had forgot my cell phone. So i turned right at the next corner. At the end of the corner there was a 4 way stop, this was right next to my house, and by there there is hardly any traffic. Stupidly, I made a U-turn at the stop sign, and unfortunately, there was a police sting going on that i didnt even know about. Never had I seen one going on near my house. My friend was in the front seat and had marijuana on him. He was arrested, I was fined for careless driving and violation of the D/L permit. My car was impounded, and thats when it all really hit me. I mean yea, most people as a child want to be a police officer, or a fireman ect. I didnt really notice how bad i wanted to be one unitil all of this happend. Thats the whole story.