New to the board...background questions

[njmeat]

I have a marijuana possession charge from when I was 18 and I went through a conditional discharge program in which it was expunged. I have already spoken to the chief of police about this instance and he said that it wont be a problem. He even knows that I experimented with marijuana and it shouldn't be a problem. A few of the other cops on the force other used marijuana so I'm not so much stressin about all this anymore.

However I am stressing over one detail that I totally forgot about...In 06' I went to the hospital because I was feeling short of breath one night so I went in to get checked out...well the night before I used MJ and cocaine...not a proud moment and very embarassing...that was my one and only time using cocaine...

I guess my quesion would be...Do they pull all of your medical records in their background investigation...Also, I am sure I am going to have to admit that I used cocaine once...so is this going to completly screw my chances???

thanks in advance

[Sierra]

According to the AZ POST rules, you can still be a cop if you have only done a 'dangerous drug' (cocaine) the one time. It would be up to the department's drug policy if they would allow it; policy can be more restrictive than the rules.

Experimenting with marijuana could be an issue. It sounds like you did it a few times. There is a limit to what is considered experimental use.

[retdetsgt]

Yeah, it's not the arrest for marijuana as much as the fact you probably used it quite a few times. You went to the hospital once with cocaine OD, but how many times did you use it before?

All that is suspicious enough that my dept would pass you by,

[DeltaV]

Any use of cocaine is an automatic disqualifier here.

[SnapShawt]

Even one time cocaine usage is auto-DQ with us as well. It will vary from one agency to another.

[mcsap]

If the cocaine use isn't an auto DQ, it will at least diminish your chances when compared to other applicants who are drug free.

Would the chief be so forgiving if he knew you were using coke and MJ and ended up in the hosp ( and failed to mention this as well) ?

[njmeat]

Yeah, it's not the arrest for marijuana as much as the fact you probably used it quite a few times. You went to the hospital once with cocaine OD, but how many times did you use it before?

All that is suspicious enough that my dept would pass you by,

I by no means went to the hospital for a cocaine OD...they just happened to detect that it was in my blood when they took blood tests...they were not specifically trateing me for cocaine or any drug for that matter...it just so happened that when they took blood and ran tests it popped up and is now burned into my damn medical records...

as for the marijuana I only used a couple times and the cheif of police already knows this...my only concern right now is with the cocaine! thanks for the quick responses btw...i realize that its really all relative to certain departments and their policies...i guess now all I can do is tell the truth and explain myself and my situation and hope for the best...

My qualities and character are very good. I am a mentally strong person and I know I would make a great cop. I want this more than anything but I can't take back what I did. I just hope that this doesn't kill my chances to acheive great things in this profession.

[retdetsgt]

Guess you'll have to wait and find out. But I'd consider other alternative career choices just to be safe.

I've seen people who had great backgrounds, etc put all their eggs in the LE basket only to find they had some unk medical problem (such as spine or heart) that they didn't know they had. You get about the best orthopedic and cardiac exam you have ever gotten in your life when you apply for a police position because those are the two major things that end careers early. So you will really never know if you can qualify until you start the process.

When I came on, there was an Oregon State Policeman also applying for my dept. He was DQ'd because the doctor found irregularity in his spine that the state didn't catch. And he'd be a state cop for about 5 or 6 years.

[COPaterno]

if you live in NJ as ur name would suggest, there is no dept that will hire with any cocaine use... well maybe Paterson, Newark, Camden.....