Yes, another "Can I be an Officer" question!

[tbk]

Most of the questions I see are from 25 yo's, either in military or just out of school. Mine is slightly different.

My history:
1 arrest (non-custodial) for Pedestrian in a Roadway (I was walking in the road after a snowstorm, since the sidewalks were not plowed)...dismissed

3 speeding tickets (1 pd fine, 2 dismissed), 1 written warning, 1 verbal warning

set my backyard on fire when I was 12, no property damage

climbed on the roof of my highschool and hung a "Seniors Rule" banner

stole 10 House for sale signs and put on friends yard. brought them back to the real estate agencies the next day.

smoked MJ 20-25 times in college.

Now the kicker.........I'm 42.

The arrest was 1990, the MJ was 1989-1991, Highschool and the for sale signs were 1987. last speeding ticket was 2004 and was dismissed, previous ones wer 1995 and 1988. warnings were 1998 and 1999.

Since my college days (grad 1991), I have attended law school, made partner at a firm, dedicated my career to representing at risk kids and DCYS kids, done a great deal of volunteer work and gotten married and had kids.

The only thing that causes me concern is the MJ.

Is it an issue, or does the fact that I have gone 20 years since the last use matter?

Specifically looking at the Austin PD.

Tom

[mcsap]

Answers will vary.

Pretty much EVERYTING you listed is of little to no concern.

The GOOD is the MJ useage was 20+ yrs ago. My PD requires 5 years clean.

The BAD is some PD's will see this as excessive useage.

The BIG question is why do you want to leave a law practice for a LOWER paying job ?

WIll you stick it out or when you find yourself working mids dealing with drunks and domestics the call of the nice office M-F 9-5 will lull you away ??

[Cat_Doc]

I guess it all depends on what APD is looking for.

The amount of marijuana is beyond "experimentation" and would be a DQ at my agency.

[tbk]

As to the why leave....I went into law with the ideal of helping people. And I have. But not in the way I want to. I often deal with people long after the harm is done, long after the emergency has passed. And in some cases, too long after to be of any real help. I want to be a more immediate factor in their lives, either for good or for bad. Either to help or to arrest and stop. And I understand that the police often get there too late as well, but still much quicker then the lawyers. I have actually always felt stiffled in an office, and look to get out every chance I can. Thats why I do what I do: hunt down kids in the projects at night, go into homes where the kids are being beaten to meet with the parents and tell them I am recommending the kids be removed, visit homes in areas the police don't go alone. And I do it all alone and unarmed.

As to the experimentation, yes, it went beyond that. The only thing I can say is that it was college in the 80's. And it stopped when I graduated. I had reasons for it which made sense at the time, but I know those don't really matter.

Guess all I can do is submit the app, disclose it all, and see where it goes.

[Cat_Doc]

Guess all I can do is submit the app, disclose it all, and see where it goes.

Yep.

[marinepilot]

Guess all I can do is submit the app, disclose it all, and see where it goes.

That and keep us posted as to what happens!

[tbk]

I guess it all depends on what APD is looking for.

Good point. Anyone with APD experience have any input?

[Outshined]

I see a couple problems but the main one is that you indicate that you were or are a lawyer. That is an immediate disqualification in my area.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

I see a couple problems but the main one is that you indicate that you were or are a lawyer. That is an immediate disqualification in my area.

To the OP, I assume you have seen the Austin PD hiring minimum requirements: City of Austin - Austin Police Department Recruiting: Minimum Requirements

[tcop733]

Give it a shot. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
A lot of High School seniors do goofy stuff.
A lot of college students smoke pot. Personally see no problem with that, especially since those stoner days are long, long ago gone.
Nothing incredibly bad about your driving history.
Go for it, because I'd like to see a guy around my age try something new.
Hope you've stayed somewhat physically active?

[retdetsgt]

The BIG question is why do you want to leave a law practice for a LOWER paying job ?

That's not necessarily true around here. Before I retired, we had a half dozen people with law degrees that couldn't find a job that paid as well as we did. One cop went to work for the DA's office at about 2/3 the pay of a new DDA and came back after a couple of years.

A friend of mine did make it, but he talked of the "billable hours" and all the work for less money in a big law firm. He did make it to the USA's office and now is a AUSA.

[Cat_Doc]

To the OP, I assume you have seen the Austin PD hiring minimum requirements: City of Austin - Austin Police Department Recruiting: Minimum Requirements

Tom, it looks like APD will take a look at you and your use may not be an automatic DQ with them.

Good luck.

[tbk]

Tom, it looks like APD will take a look at you and your use may not be an automatic DQ with them.

Good luck.

Right, I had already seen this:

Any use of marijuana within the last 3 years from time of application. Others factors, such as age at time of use and frequency will be reviewed for eligibility.

thats what made me wonder where the cutoff may be.

as to the other replies:

yes, I'm a lawyer, but a cool one. not a criminal defense lawyer. Which is actully a benefit, since I have learned to question everything and everyone. Everyone is lying to me until I can prove otherwise. I have learned to listen to everything. I have learned to read body language. I can think on my feet. And time has mellowed me and matured me.

Physically active: yes, about to do my 4th Ironman this summer. and just finished my 11 marathon in November. Saturdays in summer are usually a 100-120 mile bike ride.

Paycut: yes, by about 40%. but there are some qualifiers. Based on the COL in New England, and the change between it and Austin, we could do it. The biggest help is the housing cost. I can basically sell my house here, and buy a 3 bedroom in austin for cash based on the equity in my house here. The same house in Austin is 1/3 the cost of the house in New England.

Bottom line: something I have always wanted to, and at my age, I am running out of time. When I was younger (29) I started the FBI process, but stopped when my wife and I got serious. Then life took over, and the "have to do's" rode roughshod over the "would like to do's" and time just slipped by. After a good deal of discussion, my wife is on board, and the kids too. If it works, I will be happier then the proverbial....well, I was going to say "pig in Sh*t", but the pun of being an officer in Texas was too much. Lets just say I would be happy.

Application is done, all records are assembled, just waiting to mail on March 30. I haven't been this happily terrified in a long time.

[mcsap]

With your attitude and outlook on life....I say GO for it.

[tbk]

Personally see no problem with that, especially since those stoner days are long, long ago gone.

Just noticed the stoner reference...far from it. The word stoner comes with a visual image that could not be father from reality. The reason for the use was swimming. I was 4 year varsity swimmer at college. Practice M-F, 5:30 am. could not get drunk and have a hangover at AM practice (tried, and threw up in the middle of practice, coach made me keep swimming). Get baked, no hangover. See, bad choice, but reasoning went into it. So I do not dispute the "more then experimentation" label, but stoner means one of the cast from Dazed and Confused or Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Not the captain of the swim team at a Catholic College, where we had to go to mass each Sunday night.