Are my chances somewhat good or dismal?

[mikate8]

I am extremely interested in joining a career in law enforcement. The only thing that I think would hold me back is an attempted suicide when I was 18 years old. I regretted the act as soon as I took a bunch of pills and went to the hospital for a few days. Afterward had to spend another three in a mental health facility where I was released afterward. It was a really dumb mistake and I'm hoping that I won't be automatically disqualified when applying.

It has been over three years since that event and I feel as though I have been making the most out of my life. I joined the Army about a month after the attempt and never looked back. I've never done drugs, only drank socially after joining the military and have never been in any other trouble. Had one deployment to Iraq on a PSD and then following that tried out for the Sniper Section. Passed and went on to attend two different schools and am now looking at my second deployment coming up.

Will any of that experience help during the application process? Or will I be turned away

[Citicop]

Any department you apply to will send you to a psychiatrist as part of your pre employment screening. If the shrink signs off on you as being fit for duty, you'll be fine.

Obviously you will need to disclose it when you apply but I don't see it as an automatic disqualifier if you have been stable ever since...

And thanks for your service.

-Citicop.

[mcsap]

I'll be a tad bit " harsher " than Citi. It has only been 3 years. This is a concern as well as the time spent in a mental health facitlity COULD bar you from possessing a gun.

Go ahead and apply but time and evidence of a spirited turnaround in your life evidenced by what you have done since this happened will be very important.

[Kimble]

Will any of that experience help during the application process? Or will I be turned away

No one can say for sure except those who work for the agency(ies) you apply to and the psychologist/psychiatrist they contract for their psychological eval. You've obviously got some honorable service in the last 3 years that could demonstrate you're no longer a suicide threat, but each agency will make their own call ultimately.

However, let's be clear on one thing (so that it doesn't jam you up later), you can't say "I've never done drugs" and "I took a bunch of pills" and be taken seriously. I get what you mean (or at least think I do), and you may have never used any illegal street drugs like cocaine or heroin, but you've still illegally used drugs (i.e. pills), so avoid putting yourself in a possible situation of being seen as deceptive about drugs. You just gotta own up to that incident (which will be looked at as drug usage while engaging in suicidal behavior) and hope for the best.

[mobrien316]

I am extremely interested in joining a career in law enforcement. The only thing that I think would hold me back is an attempted suicide when I was 18 years old. I regretted the act as soon as I took a bunch of pills and went to the hospital for a few days. Afterward had to spend another three in a mental health facility where I was released afterward. It was a really dumb mistake and I'm hoping that I won't be automatically disqualified when applying.

It has been over three years since that event and I feel as though I have been making the most out of my life. I joined the Army about a month after the attempt and never looked back. I've never done drugs, only drank socially after joining the military and have never been in any other trouble. Had one deployment to Iraq on a PSD and then following that tried out for the Sniper Section. Passed and went on to attend two different schools and am now looking at my second deployment coming up.

Will any of that experience help during the application process? Or will I be turned away

It would help to know in what state you are planning to apply. Depending on the specifics of your stay in the hospital, you could be prevented from carrying a gun in Connecticut. If you can't legally carry a gun you cannot be a cop.

[mikate8]

I plan on applying in Florida. I don't see myself going to any other state since it's where I'm from. I haven't applied for my concealed weapons permit yet but I didn't have any problems buying handguns when I was on leave.

Now for the drugs, yes I took a bottle of pills as a stupid kid. I felt like I was trapped in a situation and didn't know what to do. Went to wal-mart in the wee hours of the night/morning and bought a bottle of tylenol and an italian sub. After realizing my mistake is when I went to the hospital. Other than two prescriptions of percosets for surgeries ( eyes and wisdom teeth ) I haven't done anything else. I've been around pot but never smoked it. I just see doing drugs as a poor substitute from going on a long run or having a good workout session.

[retdetsgt]

It's going to be an obstacle. The suicide rate among police officers is right up there above most other professions. But as others keep saying, that will be determined by an examining psychologist. But it only being 3 years is not going to be helpful. Good luck.

[mikate8]

Thanks for all the advice. When I ETS I'll have about four and a half years after which I'll use my GI bill and get a degree. Maybe the extra time added on from going to school will help.

It's just hard seeing myself doing anything other than military or law enforcement. But it's also good to know realistically what my chances are now.

I guess it'll be good to keep a backup plan in case things don't pan out. Education or private contractor are the two that I think about most. Although deploying for a company rather than my country sounds like an odd and new experience. Also I would hate to leave home yet again as evidenced by the state flag of Florida in my room. In this land of Bavaria.