less than stellar background....should I even bother pursuing LEO

[noboyscout]

Hey folks :

I don't have the most stellar background but I would like any input as to my chances of getting hired ..

A little about me

36 years old
police academy graduate
passed State exam
no college credits
poor credit (due to long term unemployment)
experimental drug use 15-20 years ago(everything except heroin and steroids)
uncharacterized discharge from the army(medical)
married 2nd wife before 1st divorce was finalized(error in court filing) now corrected
still happily married to 2nd wife
currently a volunteer firefighter
currently a volunteer with EMS agency
Former sworn Deputy(detention division)out of state
above average evaluations from former LE department (exception 1 bad comment form one LT)
occasional alcohol use
criminal history: 2 bad checks(civil) paid restitution 1 no operators license(not suspended just did not have it with me when stopped) 15 years ago
arrested once never booked for a warrant which was entered in error dismissed by magistrate(18 years ago)
no speeding tickets
1 expired registration ticket(dismissed) 3 years ago
1 obscured plate ticket(dismissed) 3 years ago
1 no insurance ticket(active policy, expired card)(dismissed) 3 years ago
I know the competition is brutal but do I have a chance ?

If not... are there any suggestions you can offer to help improve my chances?

[Outshined]

experimental drug use 15-20 years ago(everything except heroin and steroids)

EVERYTHING EXCEPT , this is going to DQ you.

[pac201]

EVERYTHING EXCEPT , this is going to DQ you.

^^^this^^^

[Ispbear]

experimental drug use 15-20 years ago(everything except heroin and steroids)

Sorry, but this is going to be an automatic DQ from every department that I know. Nothing you can do will improve your chances, you can't take back the past.

[mcsap]

OK , what is EVERYTHING ?

[noboyscout]

OK , what is EVERYTHING ?

By everything I mean exstacy 1 time ,LSD ,1 time cocaine(not crack) and weed about 10 times

I don't get why something from 15-20 years ago which I was not arrested for is causing such an issue. It didn't prevent me from getting a sworn position with an S.O. in the past. whats changed?

[pac201]

OK , what is EVERYTHING ?

By everything I mean exstacy 1 time ,LSD ,1 time cocaine(not crack) and weed about 10 times

I don't get why something from 15-20 years ago which I was not arrested for is causing such an issue. It didn't prevent me from getting a sworn position with an S.O. in the past. whats changed?

Maybe you should try to get back on at the agency you worked for before.

What everyone is trying to say, myself included, is that the standards applied in todays economy and the litiguous society that we live in, it just isn't going to happen. As far as I know nothing has changed, and quite frankly, with your history I am surprised you were hired.

The amount of time that has passed since you did any and evrything is great, good for you. Best of luck to you, and as has been said so many times, the only way to know for sure is to apply and see what happens.

[mcsap]

The uncharacterized military discharge also has me wondering. That can mean a little or a lot. But it isn't an honorable and you wouldn't qualify for the veteran's preference points with a civil service dept.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

whats changed?

What's changed is that nobody that is on here replying to you has worked for or near this S.O. that allegedly hired you, and thusly are only responding about their own departments and those in their immediate vicinity.

WHICH IS WHAT YOU ASKED FOR, BY THE WAY.

[deputywave]

Agree with above comments. Also, have to wonder why you are a former Deputy. You don't mention why you left. Everything considered, you won't be getting hired for LE.

[noboyscout]

in response to a couple of posts : the reason I left my last department was because I was offered a position with another department in a different state closer to my family. That position did not come through due to statewide budget cuts. Also that whole department, I found out later was under indictment from the Feds so I'm glad that fell through I no longer live in the state in which I was working for the S.O. Also What other red flags would be an automatic DQ aside from the drug use? or is the drug use the main reason or is it a combination of issues?

[deputywave]

is the drug use the main reason or is it a combination of issues?

Everything considered, you won't be getting hired for LE.

In case you missed it.

[noboyscout]

Also I may have been unclear with my earlier post I posted cocaine and weed 10 times it should have read cocaine 1 time and weed about 10 times. no that it makes a difference form what I'm reading
Also it seems like everyone here is focusing on the negative and totally overlooking the positive aspects. such as the volunteerism and the above average evaluations from my former department I'm not sure if it is enough to off set the negative?
P.S. I appreciate all the feed back even it it's not favorable.

[mcsap]

in response to a couple of posts : the reason I left my last department was because I was offered a position with another department in a different state closer to my family. That position did not come through due to statewide budget cuts. Also that whole department, I found out later was under indictment from the Feds so I'm glad that fell through I no longer live in the state in which I was working for the S.O. Also What other red flags would be an automatic DQ aside from the drug use? or is the drug use the main reason or is it a combination of issues?

Not an honorable discharge. What was the reason behind that ?

[deputywave]

Also it seems like everyone here is focusing on the negative and totally overlooking the positive aspects.

That is because your negatives outweigh your positives. You think we are focusing on your negatives, think about what a hiring board will focus on.