SHould I continue to pursue Law Enforcement

[science or LE]

I am currently in graduate school in Boston on track to get a PhD in molecular microbiology. I have recently decided that Law Enforcement is what I want to do with my life. I have always wanted to become a police officer or detective but I was steared away from that at an early age by my parents. I then followed my other interest, science. I believe my lab work has given me training in thinking out complex problems. I think I would also do very well on the civil service test and PAT. I had been fairly directionless and I have abused drugs and alcohol somewhat extensively, especially in college and I have two speeding tickets. I never let these things get in the way of my education but I have recently decided I wanted a job I could devote my life to, and not just a job to make money so I could enjoy myself away from work. I realize my drug use (I last used marijuana around Christmas but decided to never use it again, even before I look towards Law Enforcement) and lack of experience in the field would impact me negatively but I really have changed my life, regardless of whether or not I'll ever be an officer. I have even contacted the detective in charge of recruitment and she said that she would not let past drug use discourage me from applying. My only other concern, I know I have a lot, is that I would not want the BI to contact my current employer, my grad. program, to contact them because they would ask me to leave the program if they realized I was pursuing LE. I would rather join LE than stay in this program but if I can not be an officer of the law, now, I would want to get my PhD and possibly apply later with more time between me and my irresponsible past. Basically my question is should I even bother applying

[mxwelch]

Have you considered getting your PhD, which would give you time between the MJ usage, and then applying at the federal level? I'd bet a degree like that would be in demand at the federal level.

[Kimble]

Have you considered getting your PhD, which would give you time between the MJ usage, and then applying at the federal level? I'd bet a degree like that would be in demand at the federal level.

Actually, mxwelch, the FBI's drug hiring policy is the most liberal one I've seen (some are not published, BTW), and even they state that extensive use of MJ is a disqualification in their process (http://www.fbijobs.gov/52.asp). Having a PhD won't negate this policy.

From what this poster said (i.e. "I have abused drugs and alcohol somewhat extensively"), he/she is likely outside this limit for most all federal LE agencies I know of, but the best way to find out for sure is to contact the agency(ies) you're interested in - whether local, state or federal - and ask about your qualifications.

[squadcar]

Would you really be asked to leave the program if it was discovered that you had plans on pursuing LE? :confused:

[science or LE]

Would you really be asked to leave the program if it was discovered that you had plans on pursuing LE? :confused:

Yeah unfortunately to join the program you have to declare that it will be your main priority. The pursuit of law enforcement would not be considered a side activity to advance my degree. As far as the FBI I think I've already put myself out of contention for a job with my past choices. I really wish I could have talked to myself when I started college, I really can't believe I broke the law as many times as I did to "relax." I did realize that anything other than MJ was wrong and I haven't done anything like that in 7 years. At the time, I extremely foolishly never though that drug use would keep me from law enforcement on the federal or city level. Now I am disgusted with my past view and I spread to my friends, especially younger ones that drug use isn't harmless and even if you never get arrested, it doesn't mean you get away with it. On the plus side I have never been arrested or sold drugs and I meet the strict residency requirements of my city. I've also have a BS and I go to the gym regularly. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances other than just let time go by.

[Sierra]

I did realize that anything other than MJ was wrong and I haven't done anything like that in 7 years.

Depending on what "other than MJ" was, you probably knocked yourself out of contention for most streetside law enforcement. The majority of agencies disqualify for even a single use of certain narcotics, such as shrooms.

It may sound cliche, but what about clinical law enforcement, especially with a degree in microbiology? CSI doesn't exist as portrayed on the show, but forensics, ballistics, and several other fields are out there and may have less stringent entry requirements. It may be just as satisfying to obtain a cold case hit off DNA or fingerprints.

[mxwelch]

Actually, mxwelch, the FBI's drug hiring policy is the most liberal one I've seen (some are not published, BTW), and even they state that extensive use of MJ is a disqualification in their process (http://www.fbijobs.gov/52.asp). Having a PhD won't negate this policy.

From what this poster said (i.e. "I have abused drugs and alcohol somewhat extensively"), he/she is likely outside this limit for most all federal LE agencies I know of, but the best way to find out for sure is to contact the agency(ies) you're interested in - whether local, state or federal - and ask about your qualifications.

Yeah, I'll go with that ROS. I was just wondering if the PhD would, after some time clean, would overcome it.

[science or LE]

Yeah I've been suggested and thought about doing some CSI type work and may still pursue that but, I can only imagine a few jobs that must be as satisfying and challenging as actual police work. I have tried shrooms 2 times and know that probably disqualified from a lot of departments aroundt he country, although I told the recruitment detective at one department in the South about it and said it wouldnt' be a problem if I did it over 5 years ago and some of the big Northeast cities seemed more forgiving about that. I might be REALLY naive but could tell them I'd submit to a poly test about whether I'd ever use again or even volunteer for more frequent drug tests? I know there are probably union rules agains this but I'd figure I'd see if anyone knew more about this.

[mxwelch]

Yeah I've been suggested and thought about doing some CSI type work and may still pursue that but, I can only imagine a few jobs that must be as satisfying and challenging as actual police work. I have tried shrooms 2 times and know that probably disqualified from a lot of departments aroundt he country, although I told the recruitment detective at one department in the South about it and said it wouldnt' be a problem if I did it over 5 years ago and some of the big Northeast cities seemed more forgiving about that. I might be REALLY naive but could tell them I'd submit to a poly test about whether I'd ever use again or even volunteer for more frequent drug tests? I know there are probably union rules agains this but I'd figure I'd see if anyone knew more about this.

Yeah, the shrooms will be a HUGE obstacle. I doubt very seriously any department will veer from the standard hiring practices. One word: liability. We all have to live will former choices even if we have changed, me included.

[Switchback]

In reality, while you may not be disqualified for SOME positions, you need to remember that you willbe competing for others who do not have that history. Being in a PhD program really doesn't matter. Your undergrad degree matters only to a very select few (one of which is the FBI).

Sadly, your prior indiscretions will likely eliminate you from most jobs... not for cause, you will just be edged out by others.

...and I can speak with some authority on the degree. I'm a fed that chose between a PhD program in molecular bio and LE. I just did it a little earlier than you in process.

[science or LE]

hahaha well I suppose you know what you are talking about then. I really wish I'd decided on my path in highschool or undergrad. It appears that surprisingly it would have been easier to go from LE to PhD than the other way around, although I suppose I could have just not done drugs and not be worrying about this now.

[Switchback]

It's the drugs that are hurting you. Even if they are not disqualifying, you need to understand that they are "baggage". Your best chance is giving it time.

...and FWIW, going to LE from PhD is no harder than doing so from any other field. In some agencies, you will have the edge. As mentioned already, the FBI (I think) is still fast-tracking those in some hard sciences, to include bio and chemistry. I know that the CIA also is looking for people with biology and chemistry.

Most anywhere else, you will not be using your degree. I LOVED my job. I have several publications, but I would never go back. These days, I am a ground-pounding trigger-man and I would have itno other way.

[04SteveR6]

The sad truth of this was the way you interpreted your drug history,
Words such as "excessive" set the mood for what is to come. Anything excessive is too much and therfore will be taken that way. Alcoholism is a major problem in LE, Drug use usually follows. The suits want to know that you will handle yourself the correct way.

[science or LE]

Yeah I'm beginning to see I'll just have to deal with my past. I never thought of myself that was ever an alcoholic or "druggie" and a lot of my friends who were right there with me are now doctors, lawyers, dentists, and teachers but police are and should be held to different standards. I'm usually not this whiney, I'm just mad that I screwed myself so bad and I am hoping there was a chance now that I have my head on straight. The police in my city have launched a pretty widespread recruitment campaign so I'm always seeing posters and knowing I could be a good officer or detective but my past actions are keeping me from it.