Yet another prospect with questions...

[916Prospect]

Sorry this is long winded but I want real cops opinions on this prospective officer.

Ok, straight to the point:

Here's the skinny on me; 27 year old white male, single - never married - no kids. Decided to focus on law enforcement as a career choice in high school, at age 18 applied and was hired as a CO at a "private prison." (CCA) Was employed there for 2.5 years, being named employee of the month once. Left CO position to attend college, received 3 AS degrees in 3 concentrations of CJ, (Courts, Corrections, Law Enforcement) graduating with a 3.2 GPA. My heart's desire has always been to be a sworn LEO.

Personal info? No real "skeletons" to speak of: I have never gotten high on any illegal drug (have been around marijuana, had "friends" who smoked, but I never did partake.) I did drink underage occasionally when I was 17-21, foolish and regrettable and lucky to have never gotten caught. Last moving violation was for speeding in 2004 and took defensive driving. (Do LE agencies care if you took defensive driving, or is a ticket a ticket in their eyes?)

Had two minor (bumper benders) "no-fault" vehicle accidents; one in 2003 and another in 2002.

I am in decent physical condition (6'0 175 lbs) and am in a workout program currently. My uncorrected eyesight is horrid but see 20/15 with soft contacts and have worn them with no problems since I was 16. I fail the Ishihara color test but pass the Farnsworth D-15. I have some hearing loss in my left ear due to childhood infections, (50 db in the 4,000 Hz range, hear everything lower than that just fine) I have no problems with my right ear.

Would I be a good hire? Any more questions about me that I didn't answer here?

Thanks in advance for any feedback

[retdetsgt]

Off hand, I don't see a problem. I can't speak to the color test nor the hearing, that would depend on the dept's requirements. The uncorrected vision might be a problem with some. Mine has something like a minimum of 20-160 or 20-200 uncorrected (I forgot what), which is still pretty bad.

Edit: I just looked it up and there apparently is no uncorrected requirement any longer. If it's worse than 20-100 uncorrected, you have to wear soft contacts. If it's less than 20-100, you're allowed to wear glasses.

Here's the state physical requirements for Oregon:
http://www.oregon.gov/DPSST/SC/docs/F-2.pdf

Looks like the hearing will be a problem though, I dunno. Good luck.

[PapaBear]

Here is the CHP recruiting information:

CHP-Recruiting Minimum Requirements

Your eyes would, in all probability, be a disqualifying factor - at least with the CHP. However, your hearing could also be contributory.

As was previously stated, you need to speak with a recruiter at the agency of your choice.

Good luck!

[retdetsgt]

If you can get past the hearing and color test, you might look into lasik surgery for the eyes. If nothing else, that might get you well within the acceptable range. However, check on those two things before you cough up the money.

[916Prospect]

Thanks for the replies. Looking at the CHP and ODPS requirements it seems that they have both dropped the uncorrected standard if soft contacts are worn.

"Applicants who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for the past 12 months are not required to meet an uncorrected standard, as long as their corrected vision is 20/20 in each eye."

I have considered lasik surgery, and would have it done if necessary, but would like to avoid it if at all possible. I have heard too many stories of people losing their night vision, which can't be fixed with a second surgery most of the time.

CHP doesn't list their hearing requirements, but it appears that ODPS only tests hearing from the 500-3000 Hz range, which I would pass.

I guess you're right, I need to just call agencies and speak with recruiters. I just wanted to throw my story out here and see what happened. I've been a lurker on these boards for a couple of months now and have seen lots of guys interested in LE get torn to shreds because they were "potheads, etc." Was worried that my accidents or underage drinking might DQ me.

As an aside, CHP is one of the agencies I am most interested in. I will also apply at every local PD and SO in the area once they start hiring again. (Sac, Placer, Folsom, etc)

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Yep, with a question as specific as yours, speaking directly to the horse's mouth is the way to go. Good luck.

[Legoate]

I had similar problems when I applied... My vision was about 20/250 in my right eye and about 20/100 in the left. Both were correctable to 20/20.

Also, I have fairly horrid hearing after 20 years on military jets. I can't remember even actually having a hearing test. If the doctor speaks to you and you respond you are probably alright. If you look at him dumbfounded you may have a problem.

I was more worried about the medical and psych than anything else in the process. They are the two things you cant study for or really contest. Either you pass or you don't.

You could ask your department recruiter about the color vision requirements.....can you see green and red? Without talking to a recruiter, you'll never know for sure what a department requires.