Background Prior Drug Use...

[unknownuser80]

I am currently attending college for law enforcement but would like to not get in too deep if I cannot pass the background.

My situation is as follows, when I was 21, I applied for a job at, and took a hair drug screening, they had me start working immediately and terminated me 2 weeks later due to a failed screening. I am now 28 and will be 29-30 before i apply for a job, will this disqualify me from employment.

I realize this will at the least make getting a job difficult but will it completely disqualify me? I live in minnesota which is often a difficult state for law enforcement jobs.

Looking for some advice from someone experienced in the backgrounding process.

Thanks

[acreature]

Depends on the narcotic, time since last use, honesty and pool of other candidates for same position.

[Stub]

I am currently attending college for law enforcement but would like to not get in too deep if I cannot pass the background.

My situation is as follows, when I was 21, I applied for a job at a goodyear, and took a hair drug screening, they had me start working immediately and terminated me 2 weeks later due to a failed screening. I am now 28 and will be 29-30 before i apply for a job, will this disqualify me from employment.

I realize this will at the least make getting a job difficult but will it completely disqualify me? I live in minnesota which is often a difficult state for law enforcement jobs.

Looking for some advice from someone experienced in the backgrounding process.

Thanks

Drug use may disqualify you. Misrepresenting your drug use on an employment application may also disqualify you.

[unknownuser80]

The drug was marijuana. I have several friends that admitted to using marijuana during their background that are current officers, so I don`t believe (at least in the area in which I would apply) would disqualify me. However none of them failed employment drug screens, other than this instance my criminal record is flawless I have never been charged with any crime only received a speeding ticket.

I just don't want to invest all the time and money into a major in which I am not eligible for hire.

I have never touched a single drug since this instance. I was young and stupid.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

You weren't "young and stupid." At 21 years of age, you were a stupid adult. Don't try to minimize the choice you made.

You'll have to ask the department you want to get hired on with. Each one may have different standards than the rest. Those standards MAY change in the next 2 years (becoming stricter) as you're taking classes or they may not. Even they can't predict the future. They'll want to know LOTS more information about your drug history. You didn't smoke marijuana 1 single time to get it in your hair sample.

[unknownuser80]

Not attempting to minimize, agree stupid adult. You do however fail a hair screening from ingesting marijuana once, not smoking.

Is there a way that I can get the requirements to review from a particular law enforcement agency? Can I request the hiring requirements, that would list disqualifications?

[acreature]

Just as any department would want full details and disclosure from their applicants, we would want same to answer your question as accurately as possible.

You are spoon feeding us, and that mentality does not bode well for your career choice.

[acreature]

Can I request the hiring requirements, that would list disqualifications?

That would be allowing someone to have the answer key before the test.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Not attempting to minimize, agree stupid adult. You do however fail a hair screening from ingesting marijuana once, not smoking.

There are many factors involved in drug testing. Less than 2 years ago I was an administrator involved in the process and I will not argue with you about it.

Is there a way that I can get the requirements to review from a particular law enforcement agency? Can I request the hiring requirements, that would list disqualifications?

Some places have them. Refer to my last answer reference contacting a police department and ASKING them.

[unknownuser80]

I just want to clarify that I have complete respect for law enforcement and the individuals that have commented on my post. I was in no way intentionally trying to "spoon feed" or leave key points of my past from the post. I am not trying to justify or minimize the mistakes I have made in the past, I take complete FULL responsibility for my actions.

I took the advice of contacting a police department I am interested in and spoke with a friend who is a detective and has some experience with prior employment backgrounds. For those that may be in similar situations use of drugs does not disqualify you from becoming a peace office (at least in Minnesota), this does not apply if you have been charged with a crime. These actions however can and likely will make it difficult to obtain a position with a particular agency.

A list of disqualifications in the state of Minnesota can be found
by googling Minnesota post board bars to licensure.
I attempted to post the link but do not have enough posts on this forum.


Thank you for your comments.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

For those that may be in similar situations use of drugs does not disqualify you from becoming a peace office (at least in Minnesota)

Lest those from Minnesota read this thread and think they can get high on anything and still be a cop, you should post what the actual state requirements are.

I'm glad you got your answers, though.

ETA: I looked quickly and didn't see any specific drug prohibitions. Remind me to NOT go to Minnesota!

[unknownuser80]

MINIMUM SELECTION STANDARDS FOR
PEACE OFFICER LICENSURE


Minnesota Rules, Chapter 6700.0300, subp. 5(D), requires all students be advised in writing of
minimum selection standards that must be met to become a licensed peace officer in
Minnesota. Students are advised of these standards in order to make informed decisions about
participation in the professional peace officer education program.

If a student has been convicted of a felony in Minnesota or any other state or federal jurisdiction
or any of the standards listed below, the student is barred from becoming a licensed peace
officer in Minnesota.

The following list of convictions pertains to juveniles tried as an adult or any individual 18 years of
age or older. A juvenile record does not bar a student from becoming a peace officer in
Minnesota.

609.224 Assault in the fifth degree
609.2242 Domestic Assault
609.23 Mistreatment of persons confined
609.231 Mistreatment of residents or patients
609.2325 Criminal Abuse (vulnerable adult)
609.233 Criminal Neglect (vulnerable adult)
609.2335 Financial Exploitation (vulnerable adult)
609.234 Failure to report (maltreatment of a vulnerable adult under MN §626.557)
609.324 Other prohibited acts (prostitution related)
609.465 Presenting false claims
609.466 Medical assistance fraud
609.52 Theft (Including petty crimes)
609.72 Subd. 3 Disorderly conduct (re: vulnerable adult)
243.166 Registration of predatory offenders
243.167 Registration under the predatory offender registration law for other offenses


6700.0700 MINIMUM SELECTION STANDARDS

Subpart 1. Selection standards. A person eligible to be licensed shall meet the following
minimum selection standards before being appointed to the position of peace officer. The
appointing authority may affirm that the applicant has already completed certain of these
standards, but the affirmation must be documented pursuant to subpart 2.
A. The applicant shall be a citizen of the United States.
B. The applicant shall possess a valid Minnesota driver's license; or in case of residency
therein, a valid driver's license from a contiguous state; or eligibility to obtain either
license.
C. The applicant shall complete a comprehensive written application.
D. The applicant shall submit to a thorough background search, including searches by
local, state, and federal agencies, to disclose the existence of any criminal record or
conduct which would adversely affect the performance by the applicant of peace officer
duties.
E. The applicant must not be required to register as a predatory offender under
Minnesota Statutes, section 243.166 or 243.167.
F. No applicant may be appointed to the position of peace officer who has been
convicted:
(1) of a felony in this state or in any other state or federal jurisdiction: (2) of any offense in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would have been
a felony if committed in Minnesota;
(3) under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.224, 609.2242, 609.231, 609.2325,
609.233, 609.2335, 609.234, 609.324, 609.465, 609.466, 609.52, or 609.72,
subdivision 3; or convicted under any state or federal narcotics or controlled
substance law irrespective of any proceeding under Minnesota Statutes, section
152.18, or any similar law of another state or federal law; or
(4) of any of the crimes listed in this item in another state or federal jurisdiction,
or under a local ordinance that would be a conviction if committed in Minnesota.
G. The applicant shall be fingerprinted for the purpose of disclosure of any felony
convictions. Fingerprint cards shall be forwarded to the appropriate divisions of the
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The chief law
enforcement officer shall immediately notify the board if a previous felony conviction is
discovered.
H. A licensed physician or surgeon shall make a thorough medical examination of the
applicant to determine that the applicant is free from any physical condition which might
adversely affect the performance of peace officer duties.
I. An evaluation, including an oral interview, shall be made by a licensed psychologist to
determine that the applicant is free from any emotional or mental condition which might
adversely affect the performance of peace officer duties.
J. The applicant shall pass a job-related examination of the applicant's physical strength
and agility to demonstrate the possession of physical skills necessary to the
accomplishment of the duties and functions of a peace officer.
K. The applicant shall successfully complete an oral examination conducted by or for
the agency to demonstrate the possession of communication skills necessary to the
accomplishment of the duties and functions of a peace officer.

Subp. 2. Documentation. The chief law enforcement officer shall maintain documentation
necessary to show completion of subpart 1. The chief law enforcement officer is not required to
obtain documentation for subpart 1, item I, if the applicant completed part 6700.0500, subpart 3.
The documentation is subject to periodic review by the board, and shall be made available to
the board at its request.

Subp. 3. Repealed, 18 SR 1961

Subp. 4. More rigid standards. An appointing authority may require an applicant to meet more
rigid standards than those prescribed in this part.



Rev. (3/02/06)

[DeltaV]

Don't think that just because you meet the minimum standards that you're going to get hired. Applications from people who don't meet the minimum standards aren't even processed and considered, yet only a small percentage of those who DO make it into the hiring process eventually get hired.

If you used marijuana on anything more than simply an experimental basis, you're going to have great difficulty getting a job in LE.

[Adrenolize]

Hmm. How about just cutting your hair really short or all off. Then just tell them you smoked a little MJ to calm you down before the Oral Board. I mean, that would be understandable, no?