Hiring Process ATTN USMC

[jstake2260]

I am a active duty Marine looking to become a police officer when I get out this year. Before I joined the USMC I made some mistakes. I was convicted of a DUI 2006 and experimented with drugs while in college. I was never covicted of anything else other than a DUI. Since I have joined the Marine Corps, I have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and recieved personal decorations for my duty and performance. Will my past keep me from joining a police/sheriffs department? I know that all departments look for those with the highest moral character and I think the USMC exemplifies that character. Could I still get hired? I have my fours years of honorable service and my college degree. I would be completely honest during the hiring process but I hate to think that my past would keep me from a job, especially since I was just a dumb college kid when I made my mistakes. I think my character and devotion to duty speaks for itself. I just hope my past doesn't come back to haunt me. I currently reside in NC and will be looking for a job in NC. Please help and Semper Fidelis

[Citicop]

jstake-

A couple of things right off the bat.

1.) Thank you for your service.
2.) Welcome to the site.

Now, with that out of the way, the answer to your question is...

It depends.

The DWI won't kill you in the process, especially if you have four years of honorable service between you and it.

The drug use may be another story. When you say "experimented with drugs" did you mean you tried marijuana two times? If so, you are probably okay. BUT if you meant, "I used Meth to help me study through finals on several occasions and dropped acid twice at parties" then you may be dead in the water.

Be more specific about your drug use and we can give you a better answer.

-Citicop.

[jstake2260]

I used marijuana about 20 times and tried cocaine about the same amount. I can't really recall how many times I did it because I was always drunk when I did it, which is no excuse. I never did crack, heroine, meth, acid stuff like that. And thank you for what you do and answering my post--it is greatly appreciated.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Thank you for your service.

My agency allows one DUI only and it must be older than 5 years. We allow no past use of Schedule II substances at all.

I agree that 'experimented with drugs' is too ambiguous to give you a good answer. You may or may not meet the minimum qualifications.

EDIT: You were posting at the same time I was. The cocaine usage (a Schedule II drug in Virginia) would unfortunately make you inelligible for my department.

[jstake2260]

I guess from seeing some posts every department is different but should I give up my dream of law enforcement? I know that officers could look at my background and see that this guy might have had some issues. I would do the same thing if I was hiring someone like me. But I joined the USMC to change myself, to mature and fight for what is good and just. I think my transformation to a Marine and a man would speaker louder than some mistakes I made in the past. The only legal trouble I ever got in was the DUI and a fishing without a license ticket. On one hand I have my excellent military record (high proficiency and conduct marks in my company, expert rifle, first class PFT and countless training wpns, terrorism etc) and my college degree. On the other hand I have my past mistakes. On the hiring scale what would weigh more? Do I have any chance? I think that my past mistakes would make me a lower risk since a man like myself learns from his mistakes and grows from them.

Thanks for helping me out.

[Citicop]

I am sorry to tell you that I am aware of no department that would hire you with drug use that extensive.

And even if you were to find a department who has standards such that you meet the minimums, you need to remember that most of your competition will not have that kind of baggage in their pasts.

I think you would likely be better served by finding a new potential career. The odds are simply too long, IMHO for it to be worth your time to pursue Law Enforcement.

-Citicop.

[Adrenolize]

Semper Fi!

As someone actively in the hiring process, let me tell you that even with the economy, police jobs of any kind are highly competitive. I've done LEO work in NC and TX and trying to get on in TX again. Everywhere I have looked and applied to, the DWI can be overcome with time and circumstances. Any drug use over Marijuana (Class II and up) is a no go. You still may find somewhere that will take you though.

I don't know what your situation is in the Corps, but remember that jobs are hard to get everywhere right now on the outside. It was a shock when I got out in happy times how tough it can be. I would council looking to stay in and letting more time and good history buildup on your record. Right now, you have job security.

Either way, thanks for serving and I hope this helps (though I know it isn't what you really wanted to hear).

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I guess from seeing some posts every department is different but should I give up my dream of law enforcement? I know that officers could look at my background and see that this guy might have had some issues. I would do the same thing if I was hiring someone like me. But I joined the USMC to change myself, to mature and fight for what is good and just. I think my transformation to a Marine and a man would speaker louder than some mistakes I made in the past. The only legal trouble I ever got in was the DUI and a fishing without a license ticket. On one hand I have my excellent military record (high proficiency and conduct marks in my company, expert rifle, first class PFT and countless training wpns, terrorism etc) and my college degree. On the other hand I have my past mistakes. On the hiring scale what would weigh more? Do I have any chance? I think that my past mistakes would make me a lower risk since a man like myself learns from his mistakes and grows from them.

Thanks for helping me out.

Unfortunately, minimum standards cannot be mitigated by followup behavior. Your growth as a person and a Marine are laudible, but it doesn't change the past.

My disclaimer below is applicable in cases such as yours. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

[cntryboy0531]

Doubt you would be hired by anyone with drug usage as extensive as that. Mine will allow for a DUI in the past, but after about 5 years of seperation, and even then, you're not considered "competative" for a position. I know of no one that has gotten hired with a DUI in the background. A couple times using pot? sure, know a couple of them.

Only person I know of that has ever been hired after using a hard drug (cocaine), is a friend of mine I went through the academy with. He has a college degree, 22 years of time in the U.S. Army (he used prior to enlisting), retired honorably as a Sgt. Major, and also is a Iraq Combat veteran.

Maybe after a full career in the military, with an honorable discharge, you might have a chance. Otherwise, after only four years, no, I couldn't see anyone hiring you.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Law Enforcement Certification: Applicants

Minimum Standards for Certification

Please note that the standards listed below are the Commission mandated minimum requirements for employment as a law enforcement officer. Individual agencies may require higher standards.

Every law enforcement officer employed by an agency in North Carolina shall:

* be a citizen of the United States
* be at least 20 years of age
* be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency
* be of good moral character
* Have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and passed the BLET state exam.
* satisfactorily complete the employing agency's in-service firearms training program
* not have committed or been convicted of:
o a felony; or
o a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; or
o a crime or unlawful act defined as a "Class B misdemeanor" within the five-year period prior to the date of application for employment; or
o four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class B misdemeanors" regardless of the date of conviction; or
o four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as "Class A misdemeanors" except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment.
* have been fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record.
* have been examined and certified by a licensed physician or surgeon to meet physical requirements necessary to properly fulfill the officer's particular responsibilities and shall have produced a negative result on a drug screen.
* have been administered a psychological screening examination by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist licensed to practice in North Carolina or by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist authorized to practice in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Armed Forces within one year prior to employment by the employing agency to determine the officer's mental and emotional suitability to properly fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
* have been interviewed personally by the Department head or a representative to determine such things as the applicant's appearance, demeanor, attitude, and ability to communicate.
* notify the Standards Division of all criminal offenses which the officer is arrested for or charged with, pleads no contest to, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of. This shall include all criminal offenses except minor traffic offenses and shall specifically include any offense of Driving Under The Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI). A minor traffic offense is defined as an offense where the maximum punishment allowable by law is 60 days or less.

Pay particular attention to the section which I put in red. Even though you were not convicted of drug charges, possession/use especially of the cocaine definitely violations that section. Thus, you are precluded from being a cop in NC.

And +1 to Citicop's last post.

Semper Fi and good luck to you.

[jstake2260]

gents your thoughts have been helpful though discouraging. Thanks again and stay safe.

[bell4fan]

Yeah you need to probably re-enlist. Im actually suprised you got in the Corps with that much cocaine usage. But anyways, 10 years or so as a Marine will help you. But if you want to be a cop, I wouldnt get out now.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Yeah you need to probably re-enlist. Im actually suprised you got in the Corps with that much cocaine usage.

The military cares more about convictions for drugs than their usage as criminal convictions, parole, probation often require waivers. They REALLY worry about the drugs and how much when you get into security clearances.

But anyways, 10 years or so as a Marine will help you. But if you want to be a cop, I wouldnt get out now.

No, it won't. Read the rules. He can NEVER become a cop due to the excessive drug use.

[bell4fan]

The military does care about usage. Its a pre-enlistment questionare. The questions arent asked, "have you ever been convicted of drug charges." They are asked, have you ever used drugs. Applicants are asked this no telling how many times before they are swore in, and again in basic training at the moment of truth.

But I wouldnt say never on being a cop. While it is a very good rule of thumb, its not set in stone. Graduated with a retired Gunny who was turned down by many agencies due to his drug use 20+ years ago. TX DPS took into account his 20+ years of service over a mistake he did when he was 18-19 years old.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

The military does care about usage. Its a pre-enlistment questionare. The questions arent asked, "have you ever been convicted of drug charges." They are asked, have you ever used drugs. Applicants are asked this no telling how many times before they are swore in, and again in basic training at the moment of truth.

I've filled out the paperwork and gone through all that, too. When I enlisted they did the same thing. I said the military is MORE concerned with convictions. And yes, there is a section that asks about legal issues. I never said they don't care about usage at all.

But I wouldnt say never on being a cop. While it is a very good rule of thumb, its not set in stone. Graduated with a retired Gunny who was turned down by many agencies due to his drug use 20+ years ago. TX DPS took into account his 20+ years of service over a mistake he did when he was 18-19 years old.

The OP asked about NC. I posted NC rules which state he can NEVER be a cop there. He didn't ask about Texas or anywhere else for that matter.