Please help me out with my background

[tg847moss]

First, I wanted to thank you guys for any advice you may have for me. I have read the forums for a while and have seen how many threads look exactly like this one. However, I would like some personalized advice:
21, BA from Ohio State with a double major of Criminology and Sociology with approx. 3.0 GPA, solid work history, decent credit, not much actual LE experience, 2 experimentations with MJ approx. 3 years ago, underage drinking, nothing else.

Now I know the MJ use will be an issue (just dumb freshman in college). What I am hoping for is any advice on how to strengthen my application and better my chances of getting hired. Again thanks for your considerations.

Tom

[xlaren]

First, I wanted to thank you guys for any advice you may have for me. I have read the forums for a while and have seen how many threads look exactly like this one. However, I would like some personalized advice:
21, BA from Ohio State with a double major of Criminology and Sociology with approx. 3.0 GPA, solid work history, decent credit, not much actual LE experience, 2 experimentations with MJ approx. 3 years ago, underage drinking, nothing else.

Now I know the MJ use will be an issue (just dumb freshman in college). What I am hoping for is any advice on how to strengthen my application and better my chances of getting hired. Again thanks for your considerations.

Tom

I'm not an LEO, but as long as the MJ use was long enough ago (some departments is 3, some 5, some 7 years), you look like an awesome candidate.

[NYSPhopeful]

Past mistakes can't be taken away the only thing you can do is move forward.

what you can do:
-let time pass
-Try to get involved in volunteer work (i.e. auxiliary police, volunteer firefighter, etc) to show them that you have matured and take part in activities that show responsibility.


If you had an experimentation with marijuana 60 times then you would have a problem 1. because that is way to much 2. 60 times is by no means experimentation. 2 times with marijuana usuage will not ban you from this field and every department has different guidlines regarding drug use (frequency, type, and last time usage). Check with the dept you wish to apply to and see what their policy is on drug experimentation.

GOOD LUCK.

[acreature]

I don't see a problem that a couple more years clean won't fix.

[mcsap]

I don't see a problem that a couple more years clean won't fix.

Same here.

Do something today that will make tomorrows resume' look good.

Volunteer work with some sort of a community type effort is a great start. Get in shape NOW so you will look good when you NEED to.

[tg847moss]

Thanks for the quick responses. Would an internship in some sort of law or security field be as beneficial as volunteer experience? Also I am completeing the concealed carry application here in Ohio(with the gun training). Is pursuing that area helpful as well or should I wait until academy training to work on those skills? Again I appreciate all your help, any other information you can give is a big help.

Tom

[mcsap]

AN intersnhip with a PD might be of a networking benefit , can't hurt. With a security company ? I don't think that has any advantage but won't hurt either.

The concealed carry is fine, beyond any basic requirements to be trained to carry, don't let some well meaning "expert" teach you all about shooting as you will probbaly have to be re-taught in the academy.

[NYSPhopeful]

An internship will definitely look better then just sitting on your a$$. Perhaps you can do an internship and volunteer work. Additionally when I did my internship with a local PD they told me to NOT apply for a gun permit. First of all because if they don't give it to you then you have to explain why to your investigator. Im sure there are other reasons why not to apply, and I can think of a few of the top of my head but I don't want to start a debate.

[mcsap]

I had a concealed carry for about 4 years before I was hired, it was never an issue during hiring except they asked if I had one.

[NYSPhopeful]

I had a concealed carry for about 4 years before I was hired, it was never an issue during hiring except they asked if I had one.

I think what the officer meant who told me this is if for some reason you don't get approved for one and then you apply for a PD you will have some explaining to do.

[billc313]

I think I just read this one on www.911jobforums.com so I'll just paste my response from there here.

Apply. You can't get hired if you don't apply. It all depends on where your looking for a position, and what the applicant pool your competing with is. I would say with the qualifications you listed you should be pretty competitive.
Yes, the MJ may be an issue, but as you said if it was 3yrs ago and only 2x experimentation is shouldn't jam you up.

Good Luck!

[mcsap]

I think what the officer meant who told me this is if for some reason you don't get approved for one and then you apply for a PD you will have some explaining to do.

If you can't qualify for a concealed carry, you won't get hired as a police officer.