Do I stand a chance?

[Bigred200]

Im looking to become a police officer, although my past is far from perfect. I dropped out of highschool and at one point was a habitual marijuana smoker. One day however I decided that I didn't like the way my life was headed and became determined to turn it all around. I got my GED with one of the top scores in the area and was automatically accepted into college. I stopped doing drugs, and the last time I smoked was on August 22, 2009. I don't associate with anyone involved in that lifestyle anymore and refuse to return to it. Once in college I applied myself and am just off of getting an associates degree with a GPA of 3.5

The only other drugs that i've ever done would be Mushrooms once and I was slipped something on two seperate occations by my ex so she could go after my roommate. I've asked around and it could have been anything from Extacy to meth and I honestly have no idea what it was.

Like I said i've done my very best in turning my life around and have decided that I want to persue a career in the police force. Given my background is there any chance that I could accomplish this goal?

[Citicop]

The habitual marijuana use and use of a hallucinogen is going to be (at a bare minimum) a HUGE hill to overcome.

You would first have to find a department with standards such that you are not automatically disqualified.

THEN you would have to be the best applicant for the position out of everyone who applied. Many of these people will have no drug use in their pasts at all.

I applaud you for turning your life around, and I'm sure that you'll find a way to contribute to society in a way that you enjoy, but the fact is that it is probably not going to be in Law Enforcement.

-Citicop.

[retdetsgt]

The only other drugs that i've ever done would be Mushrooms once and I was slipped something on two seperate occations by my ex so she could go after my roommate. I've asked around and it could have been anything from Extacy to meth and I honestly have no idea what it was.

Like I said i've done my very best in turning my life around and have decided that I want to persue a career in the police force. Given my background is there any chance that I could accomplish this goal?

Any use of hallucinogens would be an automatic disqualifier at my old department as well as the habitual marijuana use. We will accept people who have tried marijuana a few times, but that's it. Since you know the date you quit, I assume you look at it as an addiction and so would we. A year and a half of being clean is cool, but I'm afraid that won't cut it for what you want to do.

I'm glad you turned your life around, but I'm afraid it was way too late to think of going into law enforcement. Good luck with another career though. Hang in there.

[marinepilot]

Any use of hallucinogens would be an automatic disqualifier at my old department as well as the habitual marijuana use. We will accept people who have tried marijuana a few times, but that's it. Since you know the date you quit, I assume you look at it as an addiction and so would we. A year and a half of being clean is cool, but I'm afraid that won't cut it for what you want to do.

I'm glad you turned your life around, but I'm afraid it was way too late to think of going into law enforcement. Good luck with another career though. Hang in there.

I agree with RDS, although my department would not automatically DQ you for the habitual marijuana use. The problem you'd run into there would be that your usage is so recent. They require at the very least, 3 years drug free here. The hallucinogenics would be another matter tho, as that WOULD be an auto DQ.

So, to answer your question truthfully, No, I do not think you stand a chance at getting into law enforcement.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Im looking to become a police officer, although my past is far from perfect. I dropped out of highschool and at one point was a habitual marijuana smoker. One day however I decided that I didn't like the way my life was headed and became determined to turn it all around. I got my GED with one of the top scores in the area and was automatically accepted into college. I stopped doing drugs, and the last time I smoked was on August 22, 2009. I don't associate with anyone involved in that lifestyle anymore and refuse to return to it. Once in college I applied myself and am just off of getting an associates degree with a GPA of 3.5

The only other drugs that i've ever done would be Mushrooms once and I was slipped something on two seperate occations by my ex so she could go after my roommate. I've asked around and it could have been anything from Extacy to meth and I honestly have no idea what it was.

Like I said i've done my very best in turning my life around and have decided that I want to persue a career in the police force. Given my background is there any chance that I could accomplish this goal?

I would have to echo what has already been said. You sound like you are making a genurine effort to keep straight now, and even though law enforcement is almost certainly closed to you, there are tons of other careers out there. Find one that interests you and go for it!

[mcsap]

We require at least 5 years clean from MJ but with the shroom use.....

You would be up against people who have never used and even the good applicant who may not score as well as you will have a significant edge over you.

I applaud your decision to make your life BETTER. But we cannot simply ignore what you have done nor can you erase it. It is baggage that in the eyes of a LE agency will be around for a long time. Other careers may be much less critical. We can't afford to not be.

[retdetsgt]

We would want 5 years from marijuana experimentation, but habitual or prolonged use would be a killer for a lot longer than that. I'm far from being a prude, but the bottom line is that's a long period of criminal activity.

[Cat_Doc]

Good luck, but you would be automatically DQ'd at my agency.