This may sound strange but does it really matter if you have family that is in LE?

[HIM]

This may be off topic, but I trust and respect that counseling that I receive here at Realpolice.net.

I have a buddy who is a LEO here in Los Angeles.
He is a good cop. When he was young he got into a lot of trouble with drugs and alcohol.
Never got arrested but went to rehab ect.
I was talking to him about his background investigation and he told me he was honest about everything. (and I am not talking about marijuana)
(I do not have those worries about my background)
But I was puzzled to how he ever made it on the force.
I am sure it doesn't hurt that his Father who is a great man is very high up in LE.
What is your experience with this?
Have you seen it happen often?

[retdetsgt]

Perhaps LAPD has lowered its standards, I dunno. Hard to tell from here.

[greg72982]

I once heard, and this is not confirmed, that LAPD had to drop its standards because it was not getting enough applicants that were qualified and they now allow you to be convicted of one misdemeanor drug charge and still be eligible. It may be possible that is how your buddy became a cop. He was not arrested but they may have decided to look passed the drug use.

We have some people here from the LA area that may be able to answer more accurately...

[HIM]

I once heard, and this is not confirmed, that LAPD had to drop its standards because it was not getting enough applicants that were qualified and they now allow you to be convicted of one misdemeanor drug charge and still be eligible. It may be possible that is how your buddy became a cop. He was not arrested but they may have decided to look passed the drug use.

We have some people here from the LA area that may be able to answer more accurately...

Thanks man...
And remember, being a Bruins fan is an automatic DQ! haha

[MikeG]

Does every state have a "Police Officer Standards and Training" board? Arizona has a lot of requirements that are codified into law. Is it like that everywhere or do other states allow a lot of department latitude?

[retdetsgt]

With the exception of criminal and traffic convictions, the state here pretty much leaves it to the agency. Past drug and alcohol use with no arrests or convictions isn't covered by the state standards.

In fac, I looked at Oregon's (way too lengthy to cut and paste) and there is really no state disqualifiers for anything you were convicted of with the exception of dishonesty. I suspect that means lying on your application or to a BI. I don't know about California though.

[greg72982]

Thanks man...
And remember, being a Bruins fan is an automatic DQ! haha

Are you him?