Donuts

[chrisS91]

Sorry for the repetitiveness of the thread, but after looking on the forum for a couple of days i became unsure about my situation. I'm interested in law enforcement, but unsure about my drug use and driving record. I plan on joining a local explores program within the month, if i decided to pursue a career in enforcement i would consider getting an associate degree in criminal justice. I also will be graduating from high school this year. From the research i've done on the depart i'm looking at my background would not DQ me. It also states that there is a need for bilingual officers, and i speak fluent Spanish. Would being in the explores program, and speaking Spanish help over look my drug use and driving record? and any advice would be appreciated?

Drug Use- smoke marijuana about 7 times

Driving Record-Reckless driving(i was doing donuts in a school parking lot after hours), no other tickets

[Ferus]

I am not a Law Enforcement Officer, just a Police Explorer.

From what I have heard from Officers I have rode along with that were Explorers, I have heard it is not going to be that big of a deal. It's not going to make or break you from getting the job. And it may help a bit, but it's certainly not going to make up for it.

Side note: Depending on the Post, the marijuana use might even DQ you from that. In the two posts I am involved in, it would for sure.

Good luck.

[explcdt8]

Yes, those things may help (especially the bilingual abilities).


The main thing you need however, is time. Most departments require at least 3 to 5 years between your last drug usage and your application. Since it sounds like you are still in high school, you will probably have that time before you apply anyway. Just remember to stay out of any more trouble during that period

[Switchback]

Your drug use does not look catastrophic. The reckless driving does not look terrible either. Neither is good... but, like you said, in many departments, neither will be an automatic DQ.

In any event, lots of time is your friend. The more time you can puyt between these incidents without having any further incidents, the less harm they will do to your background.

With that said, keep a very important thing in mind: While not being DQing factors, they are certain to weigh you down against the many other applicants who do not have these black marks on their records. I would go for a bachelor's as an extra bolster to your application. Hell, military wouldn't hurt, either... the thing about the military is that it is never worth it unless you truly want to do it on its own merit (if that makes any sense).

The best way to look at being competitive v. being qualified is by looking at men when they go out to a club on a Saturday night. We all know the standards may be pretty low as to who you would take home when closing time comes around. Let's call that the "qualified" applicant. We'll call the "most competitive" applicants the girls that this guy is hitting on and asking for numbers early in the night. While the girl at closing time may meet the standards, she is probably a far cry from the girls he hits on while it's early and he is sober.

The key to getting a job offer is to not be the girl standing there at closing time, hoping to still get asked out.

[Citicop]

Don't forget that meeting the minimum requirements does not equal being the best qualified for the job and being hired.

Plenty of people who meet the minimum requirements apply, but most don't get hired anyway.

Citicop.

[canuckofapeach]

... We'll call the "most competitive" applicants the girls that this guy is hitting on and asking for numbers early in the night. While the girl at closing time may meet the standards, she is probably a far cry from the girls he hits on while it's early and he is sober.

The key to getting a job offer is to not be the girl standing there at closing time, hoping to still get asked out.

Great job advice. Outstanding. It just doesn't get better than this. :D

[BNTF]

For what it's worth, fat girls need love too. So that's ok too

[BNTF]

wait this is a police forum..

To emphasize what was said earlier- use your mistakes as a reminder to stay on the straight and narrow. They're not going to be a deal breaker, and you are going to have several years to build up your credibility and experience without getting in any trouble or doing things you shouldn't do. There's no reason you can't build upon that and be a solid candidate in the future

[Switchback]

For what it's worth, fat girls need love too. So that's ok too

My golden rule is that the woman must not out-weigh me. Yes, I know, I know, it sounds horrible. However, I weigh more than 200lbs! :D

[canuckofapeach]

So perhaps the OP should apply to a desperate department or one that is larger in size and requires a bigger intake?

[Switchback]

...kind of like hanging out with fatter girls.

[wcso234]

My golden rule is that the woman must not out-weigh me. Yes, I know, I know, it sounds horrible. However, I weigh more than 200lbs! :D

When I was younger I used to be like that............now its must not out-weigh me and my wingman combined :eek:

[Switchback]

Ouch!

[CincyCop]

...now it's must not out-weigh me and my wingman combined. :eek:

LOL!

Good call!

"Never, ever leave your wingman" - Jester (TOP GUN)

:D

[chrisS91]

Side note: Depending on the Post, the marijuana use might even DQ you from that. In the two posts I am involved in, it would for sure.

What are general disqualifies from the police explores? Would they apply to all posts since they are under the BSA, or does each post have the own rules?