interested in being a cop, but tried cocaine 2-3 times 10 years ago

[bballer34]

I am interested in going into the police academy. I have a two B.A. degrees and have gone on some ride-alongs with friends who are policeman. I have never been in any trouble with the law at all except for 2 speeding tickets, however i did try cocaine 2-3 times 10 years ago. If I have friends, and also a distant cousin who are in law enforcement who could put in some good words for me, should I bother. Will trying that drug so long ago expell me from ever getting a job even if excell in all other categories? What would you advise? I really want to do it after going on the ride-alongs, however, I don't want to waste my time and money going through the academy if this can't be overlooked at all. Thanks a lot

[acreature]

Way back when I first started applying, the words uttered were, "If you have ever even touched Cocaine, leave now."

Times have changed, and now it is all Agency dependent.

[bballer34]

howdy signal, are you a policeman? If so, do you know what the agency you currently work for says about that issue? what would you personally recommend? should I call the specific academies/departments and ask them, and also, what if i could get some good letters of recommendations from other police officers? thanks

[BJJVad]

I am interested in going into the police academy. I have a two B.A. degrees and have gone on some ride-alongs with friends who are policeman. I have never been in any trouble with the law at all except for 2 speeding tickets, however i did try cocaine 2-3 times 10 years ago. If I have friends, and also a distant cousin who are in law enforcement who could put in some good words for me, should I bother. Will trying that drug so long ago expell me from ever getting a job even if excell in all other categories? What would you advise? I really want to do it after going on the ride-alongs, however, I don't want to waste my time and money going through the academy if this can't be overlooked at all. Thanks a lot

Most agencies DQ you during the interview, application process. (Little Money spent).

Most of the fiscal, financial obligations come in after you have passed backgrounds and enter the academy.

Cocaine is not an "end all" anymore, but it does put you at the bottom of the pile to those that haven't.

howdy signal, are you a policeman? If so, do you know what the agency you currently work for says about that issue? what would you personally recommend? should I call the specific academies/departments and ask them, and also, what if i could get some good letters of recommendations from other police officers? thanks

Only certified LEO's can answer in the AAC section. The blue "Verified LEO" tag in the upper right hand section of the post will suggest "who is" and "who is not" a LEO.

Lack of knowledge of this may suggest that you have not read up on some of the forum "stickies". You may want to check those out.

[acreature]

howdy signal, are you a policeman? If so, do you know what the agency you currently work for says about that issue? what would you personally recommend? should I call the specific academies/departments and ask them, and also, what if i could get some good letters of recommendations from other police officers? thanks

1st, you try a narcotic once... after that, you use narcotics.

Am I an Officer?
"I have a star on my car and one on my chest. A gun on my hip and the right to arrest."

Personally, I wouldn't offer employment. There are others who want for the same position who have not used Cocaine. With that said, it would be Agency dependent. The only way to find out would be to call recruiters, apply, and go through the process. Just be forewarned and previously mentioned, you would be compared to other candidates that would have better backgrounds.

[Ispbear]

You will have to call and ask the departments you are interested in. For my department it would be an automatic disqualification. For others it will not.


So your saying that you've tried coke but you've never smoked any weed? I don't know if I've ever met someone that has only snorted coke without using lesser drugs before.

[bballer34]

yes i've done weed as well, stragely enough, not many more times than that though. under 10 my whoe life, but i'm much more concerned about the couple times use of cocaine. funny thing is, i guess i did it because i was always so uptight and straight arrowed all my life, so i just did basically to say i've done it. should it really effect me that long ago with only a few uses.? I mean my background check would be flawless otherwise. Always employed, never been reprimanded or fired from any job, reliable, outstanding citezenship in classes, well mannered and mild mannered, etc. etc.

Also, I will ask a repeat question, if I could get good letters of recommendation from other policeman, would that help my cause despite past drug use? let me know.

[Citicop]

Yes, it really should effect you.

Being a cop is about making good choices. Using multiple kinds of illegal drugs is making a poor choice. Your actions have consequences, even if they happened a long time ago.

Every agency has it's own policies. You may find some that will accept you with that drug use. But getting hired is a competitive process. Most of your competition will be just as qualified as you but with no drug use.

What we're saying is: It's a long shot.

And it does not matter how many letters of recommendation you have. If you fall outside the minimum requirements, you don't get hired. If you meet the minimums, the letters will probably not help bump you up more than your credentials would.

-Citicop.

[bballer34]

would the letters not even help if they were from other police officers, some who are retired and were higher in rank even? just curious. also, this may be taboo to ask you personally with you being a police officer, and I get it if you don't answer. Knowing honesty is the best policy, but you saying its probably not possible to get hired because of past incidentd, would it be possible to lie on an application. Do all departments do polygraphs? I mean if it were just a background investigation I would pass with flying colors because like I said I've been great at every job, outstanding citizenship at every school, and would definately not be found in a background check because the only people who know i've done those drugs are the people I did them with. It's not like I go around promoting that I did that. Even my soon to be wife doesn't know. what would you do if you were in my situation. any suggestions. Just seems like I'm so straight that I'm kicking myself for a brief time of stupidity in my life.

-concerned

[acreature]

.........Knowing honesty is the best policy, but you saying its probably not possible to get hired because of past incidentd, would it be possible to lie on an application. Do all departments do polygraphs? I mean if it were just a background investigation I would pass with flying colors......

-concerned

To even consider that, and type it here is enough for me.

I can only hope you waste your time applying and getting denied.

[bballer34]

Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you or any disrespect. It's just that it sucks that I am very upstanding and wouldn't want that to effect me forever. I have a great attitude, work well with a team, never get in arguments with anyone, easy going, etc. Could a person be involved in another type of LE such as Corrections with my situation, then later "transfer" to being a cop. Would that help anything?

[Citicop]

To even consider lying on an application tells me you don't belong in Law Enforcement.

If you would tell just one lie to get what you want (a job) then why would anyone believe you would not lie again, in a report or under oath to get what you want (a conviction)?

We need people in this profession with honor, who's word is worth something. We don't need people who have committed felonies (even if they didn't get caught) and want to lie about it now so they can have the job of their dreams.

You "wanted to know what it was like to do coke" and you wanted to be able to "say that you did it." Congratulations. Now you know what it's like. One of the things that it's like is that you get to have a hard time trying to become a cop.

I said it before and I'll say it again. Actions have consequences. Welcome to yours.

It does not matter if your letter of recommendation is from the Director of the FBI or the retired Chief of Police in your town. It will probably not help you very much, period.

And work experience will also not make much of a difference. You will face the same problems (minimum standards plus stiff competition for the position) no matter if you work in corrections or something first or not.

You came to the very wrong place if you want us to say that it's okay to lie on an application to get hired. Why would you even THINK we would say that was okay?

-Citicop.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

This is not tied to your worth as an individual. Unfortunately, some choices have permanent consequenses.

To answer your question, in my area of Virginia your past Cocaine usage with disqualify you from employment in both the jail and on the road.

[bballer34]

Wow, sorry I offended you guys. Hopefully you can tell by the way I'm typing that I'm not some jerk on here giving you guys grief (if thats even possible to tell from reading typing). It just seems that there should be some way to attone or put past transgressions behind you somehow if you are a real standup guy, which I really am, and being serious, because despite what anyone says, you know if you are a jerk, immoral, mistreat people, etx.

[bballer34]

thanks for the time. I'm sorry to hear from all you guys that its a no go. But at least now I know not to go apply and try at all. I won't waste my time