Bipolar Disorder and police

[livious]

When I was about 12, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then, being on medication I have not had any issues whatsoever. I'm a college student pursuing a criminology major with an emphasis on law enforcement. The question is, will the bipolar disorder disqualify me completely from a career as a police officer or sheriff? I can assume that it would be a detractor, but would I still have a chance if I had a degree and spoke a second language?

[cntryboy0531]

With my agency, I could not see them hiring you. We have to go through a psychological exam which screens for those types of disorders. While your condition maybe regulated under normal circumstances with medication, it's way too much of a liability for an agency to risk hiring you, and then something happening. No telling how your condition might worsen, or suffer other setbacks when you deal with a few high stress life or death situations, or you see/do things that have resulted in other cops with no mental disorders, suffering PTSD or other disorders afterwards.

Just to give you an example... Let's say you get a job at a department, and end up having to shoot someone. You'll probably be sued afterwards, and if a good defense attorney finds out you have Bi-Polar disorder, they can definately try and use that against you.

[Kimble]

When I was about 12, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then, being on medication I have not had any issues whatsoever. I'm a college student pursuing a criminology major with an emphasis on law enforcement. The question is, will the bipolar disorder disqualify me completely from a career as a police officer or sheriff? I can assume that it would be a detractor, but would I still have a chance if I had a degree and spoke a second language?

I don't believe you could pass the psychology exam with a disorder of that sort, with any agency. Bipolar is not a minor psychological condition, and this isn't mean to demean or offend you, but it's not a condition condusive to the stresses of a law enforcement job.

As far as buidling your resume, having a degree or a language skill doesn't magically change your psychological condition. It's not something that is "weighed" against other traits, psychological disorders of some sorts are automatic disqualifications regardless of what other qualifications an applicant brings to the table (I'm not a psychiatrist/psychologist, so I'm not qualified to say definitively whether bipolar is one of those conditions, but I'd be surprised if it was not one).

If you want to apply to be a cop you can certainly apply and give it your best shot, but I would STRONGLY encourage you to get a degree in something more marketable outside law enforcement (business, computers, etc.) to help you gain employment in another field if this one doesn't work out.

[retdetsgt]

You're probably fine when you take your medication, but any department that hires you would be gambling that you won't quit taking it at some point. Also, understand that if you get into something like a use of deadly force, attorneys would probably use your bi-polar diagnosis as an excuse to sue the department. Can you see the potential liability you would bring? It's nothing personal, it's just the way of the world and our judicial system.

[Ispbear]

Try looking into a supporting role if your really interested in law enforcement. Lab technician, computer forensics, etc...

[livious]

are there any non-desk jobs or forensics jobs in the criminal justice system that I would be able to get? I just don't want to be cooped up inside all day. I know this is a cop forum, but do you know my chances as a parole/probation department? or have any suggestions of what I would be able to do?