Good Candidate?

[jvfl91]

Hey everyone, I've been seriously thinking about becoming a LEO. Where I'm applying I do reach all of their qualifications (have a bachelor's degree in Communication, tobacco free in past 6 months, illegal drug free in the past 36 months). I can pass the physical exam. No criminal record/arrests/etc, and I'm 25 (just turned 25).

But there are 3 things that I'm not too sure about:

-I have smoked marijuana in the past (literally 5-6 times in my life, and when I was about 20), I've only done one other illegal drug once (not even sure what it was to be honest with you) when I was 17 at a party (stupid peer pressure I know, but I learned my lesson-somewhat- and never touched any "hard drugs" again). But as I said the website for the agency says only past 36 months. I haven't done any illegal drugs in longer-and quite frankly never will again. Never was an addict or anything.

-I'm not sure if this is serious or not...but in high school I was cutting through a field on the way home from school as a short cut, that was a paintball field (didn't know), when the owner pulled a gun on me and my friends, and we froze-he then called the police on us. They came checked our IDs asked us a few questions, called our school's LEO about us-he told them we weren't trouble makers at school or anyhting-then they told us that this guy (who pulled the gun) had done it before to other people-and told us just not to take the shortcut again. Is this something that could potentially come back to haunt me?

-Finally and what I'm most worried about...my driving record. I have a lot of tickets from my teenage/early 20 days. No DUIs, never had enough points to get my license suspended, but I have: 3 speeding tickets, 1 running a red light, 3 accidents that were my fault (2 of those failure to yield, 1 following too close). It's been 3 years since my last ticket (and before that it was another 2 years), so in my last year I have 1 ticket. Is this a cause of concern?

Thank you in advance for anybody who's even taken the time to read this message, hope it's coherent as I just got off of my night shift at work.

So I guess after all of this, my question is: do you think I have a good realistic chance at being hired?

You're time is greatly appreciated!

[icu650]

I would make my desired applications and be honest through the whole process. The hiring agency will then have their choice out of all the applicants whether to take you with your background or someone that has a better background. Of course it matters how many applicants they are financially authorized to accept and hire. I would always have a plan "B" and school or train myself into another field just in case this doesnt work.

[mcsap]

What hard drug do you think you took ?

The HS incident means next to nothing.

The traffic tickets and accidents concern me, your early 20's is pretty recent.

[jvfl91]

I would make my desired applications and be honest through the whole process. The hiring agency will then have their choice out of all the applicants whether to take you with your background or someone that has a better background. Of course it matters how many applicants they are financially authorized to accept and hire. I would always have a plan "B" and school or train myself into another field just in case this doesnt work.

I already a have a plan "B", but thanks for the advice. I definately plan on being completely honest.

What hard drug do you think you took ?

The HS incident means next to nothing.

The traffic tickets and accidents concern me, your early 20's is pretty recent.

-I have no idea, it didn't do anything to me when I took it, so I honestly think it could have been nothing. But I obviously still made the decision to do it that one time.

-Yeah the traffic tickets and accidents are worrisome, and I understand it's recent. It is what it is, nothing can be done about it except controlling my driving from here on out.

Thanks for both responses.

[Jim1348]

.....So I guess after all of this, my question is: do you think I have a good realistic chance at being hired.....

I guess my question is hired where and for what? Is there a specific places you have in mind? If so, contact them and ask them. To be brutally honest it is going to depend on who else is applying for whatever job you are interested in. In Minnesota, where I am from, we have a number of great candidates. Unfortunately that means many good candidates get passed over. You may ask what is a great candidate. In many cases it is a guy or gal with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, work experience as a Community Service Officer for the police department he or she is applying at, NO drug history/criminal record, no prior traffic violations, and they speak a second language. The thing is you are not going to know your competition, so all you can do if work on becoming a great candidate.

[TEXASCOP]

I don't know what state you are in (maybe I read through it too fast and missed it). In Texas, use of anything other than marijuana is almost always a DQ. I say almost because its not a DQ for you get licensed as a peace officer but most agencies that I'm familiar with list any use of "Hard drugs" as a DQ. I have heard of one very small agency that claims drug use other than marijuana will be decided on a case by case basis. A side note- If you are licensed as a peace officer in Texas does not make you a cop. The peace officers license is useless till an agency carries your commission (hires you).

[jvfl91]

I don't know what state you are in (maybe I read through it too fast and missed it). In Texas, use of anything other than marijuana is almost always a DQ. I say almost because its not a DQ for you get licensed as a peace officer but most agencies that I'm familiar with list any use of "Hard drugs" as a DQ. I have heard of one very small agency that claims drug use other than marijuana will be decided on a case by case basis. A side note- If you are licensed as a peace officer in Texas does not make you a cop. The peace officers license is useless till an agency carries your commission (hires you).

I'm in Florida. I looked at the website for my local agency about it's qualifications to become a LEO and with regards to drugs all it says it you cannot have taken any illegal drugs within 36 months of your application. So I'm not really sure if that means I will be DQed from my 1 time experience or not (although it will certainly hurt my chances).

[jvfl91]

I guess my question is hired where and for what? Is there a specific places you have in mind? If so, contact them and ask them. To be brutally honest it is going to depend on who else is applying for whatever job you are interested in. In Minnesota, where I am from, we have a number of great candidates. Unfortunately that means many good candidates get passed over. You may ask what is a great candidate. In many cases it is a guy or gal with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, work experience as a Community Service Officer for the police department he or she is applying at, NO drug history/criminal record, no prior traffic violations, and they speak a second language. The thing is you are not going to know your competition, so all you can do if work on becoming a great candidate.

I plan on applying throughout Florida (I live in Central Florida). Thanks for the advise, I'm currently getting all my research done on what I have to do to give myself the best chance (picking a few people's brains on here is a part of that).

Do you think going for some ride-alongs would be helpful? I'm sure the answer is-yeah duh! I'm going to do it anyways, just not sure how many I should go on...I don't want to bother anybody by showing up too often for them...not sure what most places think if they're a nuisance or not.

I don't know what state you are in (maybe I read through it too fast and missed it). In Texas, use of anything other than marijuana is almost always a DQ. I say almost because its not a DQ for you get licensed as a peace officer but most agencies that I'm familiar with list any use of "Hard drugs" as a DQ. I have heard of one very small agency that claims drug use other than marijuana will be decided on a case by case basis. A side note- If you are licensed as a peace officer in Texas does not make you a cop. The peace officers license is useless till an agency carries your commission (hires you).

I'm in Florida. I looked at the website for my local agency about it's qualifications to become a LEO and with regards to drugs all it says it you cannot have taken any illegal drugs within 36 months of your application. So I'm not really sure if that means I will be DQed from my 1 time experience or not (although it will certainly hurt my chances).

[marinepilot]

Up here where I'm at, the agency I am with now will look at you if you've done marijuana, as long as you're probably 3 or more years from last use. They will also hire you if you've done cocaine, as long as you haven't sold it to anyone (dealing). Again, the time limit applies. The local city PD, however, will not touch you if you've ever done anything harder than marijuana. And if you've ever dealt ANY drug, you're an auto DQ.

It will all depend on the agency. The drugs are definitely a flag, but since you say it's been more than 3 years, you may meet minimum qual's at some agencies. The more recent bad driving history will most likely be a tougher hurdle to jump tho. Don't forget, you're applying to be able to drive an automobile around for XX number of hours a day. They aren't gonna be too keen on someone who has a proven record of not being so good at that.

[deputywave]

Even if you are not automatically DQ'd, you will be trying for very few jobs with a lot of applicants. Striving to be a good candidate won't cut it. Figure out how to make yourself a GREAT candidate and MAYBE you will have a shot.