Drug use and discrimination... ?

[wisco]

So I read this thread: Past Marijuana use

I've seen similar questions dozens of times on the forum. I'm wondering, however, about when you guys mention "who you hang around with" in reference to employment, be it drug users or other criminals.

Have you ever known anyone to file a discrimination suit against a department based upon such a situation? Would it even be considered discrimination?

I agree with the "policy", I wouldn't want anyone of questionable background working in LE. I'm just curious.

[retdetsgt]

It's not illegal to discriminate against someone because of a criminal background. And it would be easy to show why hanging around criminals would be a job related problem.

[cntryboy0531]

I know of one female at my agency that threatened a law suit because a "life long" friend of her's is a convicted felon (felony criminal mischief, theft, or burglary I believe), and she was told to stop hanging around with him. The department actually backed off. She tried a SOB story with me saying she told professional standards that the U.S. Constitution supersedes policy, and they have no right to tell her who she can and can not be friends with.

I told her to cite the Amendments that allow her to be friends with whomever she wants and that prevents her EMPLOYER from regulating certain relationships that are deemed inappropriate for your job. And to also cite the amendment that states she has a right to a job to begin with...

I really can't stand working with the woman when I have to come across her. She's got a piss poor attitude, and only does things at work that suits her. I wish they'd fire her and move on. Oh, and she's been here for 2 years or so and act's like she's a 20 year veteran who's "Been there, done that, and burned out".

[retdetsgt]

The S.O. has fired several corrections deputies over the years for consorting with crooks they met in jail after their release.

I don't know of any cops we've had problems with, but we have fired several female clerks who had undesirable boy friends, such as outlaw bikers.

It's not hard to show they can compromise an entire LE agency.

[ChesCopPodz]

"Criminal background" or "Criminal associations" are not protected classes.