Thoughts?

[scotts93]

As a pre-teen, I took Lexapro for anti-OCD purposes. (The medication "Lexapro" is sometimes used as an anti-depressant, however for me, this was not its purpose.) I was on this medication from approx. age 11-16. Since this was as a child/teen, and NOT for depression, I am assuming that this would not negatively affect my ability to become a police officer. Is this assumption correct?

Also - at age 16, I was terminated from a job due to scheduling misunderstandings. (i.e. I was "scheduled" to work on certain days, was NOT informed, and therefore did not come in to work at those times. This was the fault of my employer, not my own.) I have had steady part-time jobs from age 16 on; this one occurrence was the only one of its kind, and is grossly misrepresentative of me as an employee.

- No drug use of any kind
- No criminal record
- No underage drinking/smoking
- No traffic accidents
- Good credit
- 1 speeding ticket at 16 YOA - ticket was dismissed from my record after defensive driving course was taken.


Feel free to ask any necessary questions.

Thanks,

- Scott

[retdetsgt]

How old are you now? How long is your work record since the termination? Do you have military service or any college? How long has it been since you're had problems with OCD?

[marinepilot]

How old are you now? How long is your work record since the termination? Do you have military service or any college? How long has it been since you're had problems with OCD?

scotts93, my first thought is that you should to go to the New Member Introductions forum and post an intro thread about yourself. Coming in to our internet home and just hammering us with questions is considered bad form here on RP.

As for your post here, there are many variables that you've left out, some of which RDS has asked above. For instance you tell us what happened from 11 to 16 but not how much time has passed since then (because we don't know your age, something you could include in your intro). Also, we don't know where you live. People are on RP from all over the place and if they know where you are and where you're looking, they may be able to offer specific answers vice just general. Were you ever diagnosed with anything other than OCD, such as bi-polar disorder or anything like that?

And just my opinion, but many people blame their former bosses for being terminated, especially for a scheduling misunderstanding. Strangely, when you started working there they more than likely told you were the schedule was, and after that it became YOUR responsibility to check it, NOT the responsibility of your boss to call you and tell you what it is or even that it is out. So, I raise a certain flag on your statement of the termination being the fault of your employer. But if that's how you want to believe it, your game, play by your rules. Just saying that LE agencies don't usually take good to people who can't own up to their own mistakes.

[scotts93]

retdetsgt - Currently I am 18 YOA. Obviously I won't be applying to police departments until I'm at least 21, but I was just getting the question out there early.

I have no military experience; I plan to start college next fall, after graduating high school. (I posted an intro thread about myself in "New Member Introductions" with all of my info.)

As far as the OCD goes, I had minor problems with it as a pre-teen - nothing debilitating. I have never had any mental health problems, including bipolar disorder, depression, etc. I was simply on the medication to reduce my OCD. I have not had any OCD since I was 15, and I do not expect it to return. Like I said before, when I had it, it was very minor - more of an inconvenience than a real problem. I cannot imagine that something as minor as this, especially as a pre-teen, would affect my career as an adult. Thoughts?

[scotts93]

marinepilot - I have posted an intro about myself in the NMI forum. Sorry, I'm not very familiar with protocol around here yet.

I included most of the info you asked about in my intro & response above to RDS, but I'll reiterate some of the main points. As far as OCD goes, I was never diagnosed with anything else - no bipolar disorder, depression, etc. The OCD was very minor - not a mental health issue. I have not had any signs of OCD since I was 14-15, however I remained on the medication until I was 16. I am now 18, and have seen no recurrances of OCD in my life. After college, I will be 22 most likely, therefore at that time that'd be 8 years since I had seen signs of OCD, and 6 years since I was on the medication. (Those numbers are calculated from the age of 22.)

For the job termination part - I completely understand how my initial post may convey that I am a whiney you-know-what that can't take responsibility for his own mistakes. However, this is simply not true. I truly was not the party at fault in that misunderstanding. If you think it would look better for me to say it was my fault for the hiring process, then I suppose I would do that. I am being 100% honest in my statements about that job.

As with the OCD, I'm assuming that this one issue as a 16-year-old wouldn't affect my career as an adult. Especially since I have had a steady part-time job, in addition to a steady contract job from age 15 on. I can go into more details about both if necessary.

I have a 3.76 GPA from high school, and as long as I don't make dumb freshman mistakes, expect similar in college.

Feel free to ask for more clarification, etc. as necessary.

[retdetsgt]

I don't see a problem. You would have to be cleared by a medical professional, which none of us are. But off hand, it doesn't sound too bad.

Get your degree and try to develop some good work experience and recommendations along the way and I think you will be fine.

[scotts93]

That's what I figured; I just wanted to get you guys' opinions. Thanks for the insight.

[cntryboy0531]

I agree with everyone above. And also stay out of trouble in college. One bad decision then can destroy your career before you even apply. Not saying you can't have fun, just make good decisions.

[marinepilot]

Scott,

Thanks for the info above and for posting the intro. I agree with the gentlemen above about the OCD and medication stuff. If it was prescribed and you took it as prescribed, shouldn't be a problem, but like RDS said, you'll have to get cleared by someone with more degrees after their name than most of us here at RP!

As for the work thing, I was just voicing a suspicion. Don't admit it was your fault if it wasn't, just be truthful. You have to understand we're a bit jaded here and many people come to us with the "it wasn't my fault" line. If you tell the truth you'll be doing the best you can.