My Background

[FutureRookie]

Hey everyone,

My background is completely clean, I've never been arrested, I've only had speeding tickets and that type of thing. So you don't think that will be any problems right?

Second, even though this has nothing to do with my BG because I've never been arrested I was dumb enough to experiment with drugs in highschool...please tell me I can still be a cop.

Thank You,

FutureRookie

[metallicat]

You are going to have to give more information on number of tickets, what drugs and how much...I am not a cop myself, but I know you need to post more information.

[ferriscj24]

We cant just tell you that you can be one. Alot of people come on here wanting sunsihine blown up their @$$ when theyve done all sorts of nasty stuff. From the info you gave us, you look like you have a pretty good chance...however, as metallicat said, we would need to know what drugs, how much, how often...etc...

[lnichols]

Doing drugs has everything to do with your background, it doesn't matter if you were arrested. It depends on what drugs you did, how long ago it was and what the departments policy on drug use.

[Charlie]

Second, even though this has nothing to do with my BG because I've never been arrested I was dumb enough to experiment with drugs in highschool...please tell me I can still be a cop.

OK. As already noted, this depends upon the following:

-- Definition of "experiment" by the department you apply with for a job.
-- Departmental policy concerning the drug use issue.
-- Type(s) of drugs used? (SOME types of drugs, used JUST ONCE, may permanently disqualify someone from applying at a department).
-- HOW MANY times used?
-- LAST TIME used?

Depending upon how you answer the above issues, PD's can be "forgiving" and excuse the past poor decisions you've made.
--
Charlie

[FutureRookie]

I've tried several different drugs, each time more then once, but not that much. Its embarassing for me because I'm ashamed of it, but its the past and wont happen again. Its been over a year ago since any major drug....less then for marijuana. I've been out of highschool for a couple years now.

[FutureRookie]

I've only had a few tickets, maybe one that stayed on record cause I didnt pay double...and one minor no damage accident...but my driving record is clear of all this as of now....this was years ago.

FutureRookie

[K9 Police]

You drug history MAY be a problem and without knowing exactly what type of drugs, I can not speculate. You know the drugs you used. Look into departments that you are interested in. They will have spelled out in their hiring process guidelines what type of drugs are acceptable and which are not. On a side note, many departments around here like to see 5 or so years between any type of arrests, drug use, etc.

K9

[FutureRookie]

Thank You K9.

[K9 Police]

No problem, and if you are real worried or you can't find the answer anywhere; call up and ask to speak with the recruiter or someone in the hiring process team. You can remain anonymous, and just tell him quickly your background. Believe it or not, they can be helpful. They definetly won't say "Yes, you will be hired". But they will be able to give you answers about if they would disqualify you, if you should wait some more, if you should apply and see, etc.

Good luck.

K9

[FutureRookie]

K9, thats the best answer I've yet gotten. Thank You.
What do you think about this K9...

I have a friend, well kind of a friend...you know, I know him pretty well...he's been a cop for sometime and I asked him about this and here it is word for word give or take a word.

OK, I went to his house, knocked on his front door..waited a little longer cause he was in the shower, thats what his daughter told me so about 3 minutes later he came to the door and said hey how are ya...and I was like I'm pretty good, how are you doing and we shook hands. Well I walked in and told he this "I've been giving this much thought, and nothing can change my mind on this, I want to be a cop. He said ok and I continued to explain to him my situation and I was like well I'm kinda worried about something, I have no record on file, I've never been arrested but I have done stupid things when I was younger. He's like oh I wouldnt worry, have you ever been convicted of a felony or convicted period, I was like no, never, then he said well there ya go, you dont need to worry, your ok. I said cool, thats what some other people told me...he said yeah. But then I told him that this one guy told me I wouldn't be able to be a cop...and he said why, then I said well I told him that I've done some bad things when I was younger, some stupid things. Then he kinda paused and said what is it that you did (he was thinking something really bad at this point, I know he was) and then I was like I did drugs and **** when I was younger, well after that he waved his hand from top to bottom like "big deal" and said oh man I wouldnt worry about that at all, they know people do things like that when they are younger and not an adult yet and know that when your adult you dont do the same things. The only thing that matters is that you haven't been convicted of a felony or something like that....

then I was like awesome and I felt so happy and still do...so what do you think about all that?

[TALLON]

First off, your background is NOT "completely clean" I'm assuming that you are relatively young...21 / 22...and if you've used drugs within a year, hell within 3 years, you will be DQ'd. The reason is simple. 1. Drugs are illegal. 2. Avoidance of drug use shows a level of maturity and personal responsibility that PDs are looking for, which you apparently do not yet possess.

The trouble for you is this: There are many, many candidates applying for the same position that you are. Most of these individuals have NEVER used drugs...WHO WOULD YOU PICK. It's just part of this highly competitive process.

Keep at it though...this is not to say you will never be an LEO.

Good Luck.

[FutureRookie]

He also said "Look you can have a whole list of misdemeanors and posession busts and still be a cop" all that matters is that you havent been convicted of a felony ...

[FutureRookie]

true tallon...the thing you say is opinion, there are several others that probably havent done drugs, but you cant say most cause I would say teh majority of the US has tried some kind of drug at one point...sounds like you've never tried them, so anyone who has, you hate and have a chip on your shoulder about them.

I could be wrong though...

[TALLON]

Possession busts? As in arrested?

I don't know how old you are, but judging from the grammar and the fact that drugs are still a relatively fresh aspect of your life, I have the following advice:

LAY OFF THE DRUGS. STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE THAT USE DRUGS. APPLY, APPLY, APPLY. Time may be your greatest ally.

Again, best of luck.