Departments With Lenient Marijuana Use Policies

[coptalk]

This thread has been canceled

[mobtown]

I think most departments require 3+ years since your last usage. Research departments in the area(s) you want to work, they usually list that in their requirements & disqualifiers on their sites.

[Socal-Cop]

Im curious what the academy instructors said about your marijuana use when you did your pre-academy interview

[LA DEP]

The number of uses would not auto DQ you with us....the recent history would though......as another poster stated, most agencies want to see 3-5 years between the last use of illegal substances and when you are going through the application process......

[coptalk]

I have found several departments that allow you to apply at one year. I was just wondering if anyone had info on any departments such as these or ones that allow before a year. For the question about the academy interview; thats what I have been asking myself since I started this. I would have waited for a year or so before attending the academy if I was told by my rto or director this would be a problem.

[avaand]

***Not an LEO*** but maybe I can bring up a point that the LEO's want to chime in on. The number of times used, I can see not being a problem. The fact that last use was earlier this year will almost certainly be a problem. But the fact that you were 30 years old I would think would be a HUGE problem. If this question was being asked by someone in their late teens/early 20's I could see. Deciding to smoke weed at 30 years old does not wreek of a "well put together individual". Again, perhaps an LEO will straighten me out, but for my sake, as I'll be attending the academy in December, I'd hope I'm right...

[coptalk]

I am currently only looking for advice from current or retired LEO's as someone that has not even attended an academy had an oral board will have no experience in this matter.

[avaand]

I am currently only looking for advice from current or retired LEO's as someone that has not even attended an academy had an oral board will have no experience in this matter.

Perhaps you should move your thread to the "Ask a Cop" forum. That way, you will get what you're looking for without having to spell it out in a subsequent reply. Good luck to you!

[IMachU]

*sigh* Stoners. :D

[avaand]

*sigh* Stoners. :D

Well... there you go. That about sums it up from an 18 year vet, Sgt.;)

[avalon42]

Im curious what the academy instructors said about your marijuana use when you did your pre-academy interview

+1. Recent drug use was a no-no.

Agencies will look at your academy records/application as part of the BI.

[LA Copper]

I don't think too many departments are going to like the fact that you were smoking marijuana while you have two young kids at home. That tells us that you don't make good decisions, not to mention you weren't setting a good example for your children.

How would you have explained it to them, and your wife, if you were arrested because of the marijuana? Goes back to poor decision making, especially at your age.

[417Lt]

*sigh* Stoners. :D

And they say it doesn't cause brain damage.:p

[Outshined]

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE


NOPE

[Kieth M.]

I can't ever recall anyone here saying what I'm about to....If someone else has, great, but here goes:

Here's the deal that goes beyond the mere smoking/ingestion of cannibis. Perhaps you, and those like you, see only the act of using - the end result.

For us, in L.E., we take it from where you used and work backwards.

Did you buy it, or was it given to you? By whom? Unless you grew it and cured it yourself...money changed hands...of course, growing your own has its own set of penalties.

Someone else probably packaged it for sale from a really big pile.

Someone else probably transported it across state or even international boundries.

Someone else cultivated and harvested it.

Now, were all those parties decent upstanding community members? How many of them were armed? How many fields had armed guards or booby traps designed to kill/hurt drug inderdiction/L.E. personnel.

It's not just about your use....it's about the supply-side, of your use, which bothers most of us.

---------------------------

I know, I know, before you or someone else says it, that alcohol hurts more people, destroys more property, and even kills. I'm sober now, almost 24 years, and I agree. But, everyone involved in the alcohol trade is licensed, bonded, insured, pays taxes, etc. It may not be fair, but it is, what it is.

Edited to add: 35 years ago, I told myself I want to be a cop. I told myself that among all the other reasons not to use, becoming a cop would be my first reason. As I went through BI in 1976, the investigator asked me, a 20 year-old, how many times I had smoked marijuana. The answer then, is the same as today, never. He was taken aback. He told me that upt to three uses, for LAPD, was okay. I knew of exactly three times I wished I had smoked it...yes, women were involved...but I just opted not to, hoping get the PD job. Today, I marvel at the applicants who ask us about their past drug use, arrests, convictions, bad relationships and wonder why they can't be L.E. It's something I absolutely cannot wrap my head around.

[pulicords]

Your last (most recent) use of marijuana was in February? I'm curious as to when you decided to explore a career in law enforcement and how you would reconcile at the mature (?) age of 30 that breaking the law by using an illegal intoxicant wouldn't be an issue? Don't you see any issues regarding your credibility, integrity or reliability as an enforcer of laws (even those you might be personally opposed to) when you are willing to break them for no other reason than your desire to get high? Did your interest in becoming intoxicated, outweigh your concern for entering a career field that would provide better benefits for you, your wife and children? Surely, you must have known that any recreational use of drugs (including marijuana) would be an issue. How would you justify your decision to significantly limit, if not eliminate your ability to gain employment by your actions?

I'd say you'll have a very difficult time gaining employment with any respected agency at this time. Maybe in a few years, but that might change too (depending on your decision and actions during that time).

[IronBruin]

Today, I marvel at the applicants who ask us about their past drug use, arrests, convictions, bad relationships and wonder why they can't be L.E. It's something I absolutely cannot wrap my head around.

I concur. I was in an orientation one day and a guy asked, "how many misdemeanors are you allowed to have?" :eek: Seriously? If you really need to ask that question, you should probably just leave now, because you're not getting hired.

[avalon42]

As I went through BI in 1976, the investigator asked me, a 20 year-old, how many times I had smoked marijuana. The answer then, is the same as today, never. He was taken aback. He told me that upt to three uses, for LAPD, was okay. I knew of exactly three times I wished I had smoked it...yes, women were involved...but I just opted not to, hoping get the PD job. Today, I marvel at the applicants who ask us about their past drug use, arrests, convictions, bad relationships and wonder why they can't be L.E. It's something I absolutely cannot wrap my head around.

About 2 years ago, I applied to the Orange County SD, they made me fill out a pre-background questionnaire. The lady I turned it into looked at my drug sections and her eyes grew as big as saucers. She spent the next 10 minutes trying to convince me to tell the truth. She found it very hard to believe that I have never taken any drugs (or sold or cultivated also).

This type of response has been atypical from almost agency I have applied to. Makes me ponder if they think I'm slow or something... :p

[WPD954]

people don't just jump into an academy, you must have known for awhile you were going to put yourself through an academy and you still used ???

[Showboat]

I concur. I was in an orientation one day and a guy asked, "how many misdemeanors are you allowed to have?" :eek: Seriously? If you really need to ask that question, you should probably just leave now, because you're not getting hired.

I know it's not funny...but I did spit water out when I read that.:D

[the batman]

http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Some-New-Atlanta-Police-Officers-Have-Arrest-Records/1$43659

Who's to know how recent the use was for these applicants though...

You may have spent alot of time, money and energy for nothing. Feb? tsk, tsk...

good luck.

[FortLoddy]

If so fortunate enough to make it as far as the Medical Exam.....won't the Marijuana show up in the urine and/or blood?

[GB0610]

If so fortunate enough to make it as far as the Medical Exam.....won't the Marijuana show up in the urine and/or blood?

Not unless you've used recently.

To the OP - You will very likely be SOL due to how recent the use was and at what age you decided to experiment.

[IMachU]

Well, with all of the replies above, it appears they have all posted very wordy, yet exact copies of my statement (which I stand by :D)

[avaand]

I am currently only looking for advice from current or retired LEO's as someone that has not even attended an academy had an oral board will have no experience in this matter.

I guess my lack of experience has shown my original reply to be way off base.:D

[RCKoutWurGLKout]

Well, considering where he posted this, he should expect anyone to chime in, so I wil too ;) :D.

I've researched pretty much every major department in the US. Major being a city with 200K+ citizens. I am almost 90% positive that every major department (seeing as how these are typically the understaffed, therefore, a little more forgiving on the MJ use) required AT LEAST 3 years.

To the OP: Before you go telling other applicants that "they have no experience" their experience is the same as yours...You also don't know if they have or have not been through an oral board yet. Some who are not or have not been LEO, might have also done more research than you have.

Just food for thought... :D.

[FortLoddy]

I am finishing my POST academy in California in December. My background is really clean minus my past marijuana use. I listed on my PHS no more than six times between Nov. 07 and Feb. 08. Does anyone know of a department where this may not automaticly disquailfy me? I am 30 years old and have been married to the same woman for 11 years. We have 2 young children. I am a well put together individual. I hope this won't be a huge problem for a department somewhere. Can anybody give me some info? Thanks for your time.


Do you like butter or jam? Because you're toast!

[IronBruin]

Do you like butter or jam? Because you're toast!

Is peanut butter an option?:)

[coptalk]

I thank you all for your opinions. I do have a couple of things I would like to clear up. I NEVER used marijuana after I decided to go after a career in law enforcement. Yes, my use was when I was 29 years old rather than most of the younger people in my academy around the age of 23 to 25. You would be surprised how many people are in academy's with such recent usage though. Although I am thankful for all the response, I started this thread not to have people make me feel bad about myself and a situation I can not change and feel terrible about. I started the thread to see if there was any information on departments, other than the several I have found for 1 year at time of app., that would consider talking to me. Telling me, "Your Screwed" is not only not polite or respectfull, but really does not help me at all. I have put my life on hold for this. I am away from my wife and kids more than is healthy. I am going into a lot of debt. Most of all the mental and physical stress. Trust me, I am doing this all for the right reasons. If not I would have quit already.

[Outshined]

I thank you all for your opinions. I do have a couple of things I would like to clear up. I NEVER used marijuana after I decided to go after a career in law enforcement. Yes, my use was when I was 29 years old rather than most of the younger people in my academy around the age of 23 to 25. You would be surprised how many people are in academy's with such recent usage though. Although I am thankful for all the response, I started this thread not to have people make me feel bad about myself and a situation I can not change and feel terrible about. I started the thread to see if there was any information on departments, other than the several I have found for 1 year at time of app., that would consider talking to me. Telling me, "Your Screwed" is not only not polite or respectfull, but really does not help me at all. I have put my life on hold for this. I am away from my wife and kids more than is healthy. I am going into a lot of debt. Most of all the mental and physical stress. Trust me, I am doing this all for the right reasons. If not I would have quit already.

Ok so you used marijuana until you decided to be a cop, Right? I have no mercy for these guys who smoke pot, and whatever else they want to do and then decide they want to put a gun on. God may forgive you for your sins, but we do not. I have never smoked pot, or taken any illegal drugs. It is not that hard. You need to wake up, you come on a forum of cops and ask if there is anywhere that will overlook your illegal drug usage, what do you expect?

[GB0610]

Ok so you used marijuana until you decided to be a cop, Right? I have no mercy for these guys who smoke pot, and whatever else they want to do and then decide they want to put a gun on. God may forgive you for your sins, but we do not. I have never smoked pot, or taken any illegal drugs. It is not that hard. You need to wake up, you come on a forum of cops and ask if there is anywhere that will overlook your illegal drug usage, what do you expect?

Although I agree with you that folks on this board should not look for pity from those of us on the job, I will say that you are a bit matter of fact and outside of the mainstream.

The vast majority of Officers on the street have tried at least 1 illegal drug once in their life. You are the exception, which I sincerely respect you for. But, don't be to quick to pat yourself on the back.

But overall, you're right, God forgives, depts. don't necessarily......unless you can show that you've overcome it and your positives outweigh your negatives.........OR, you meet their current "hiring needs".:rolleyes:

[LA DEP]

Although I agree with you that folks on this board should not look for pity from those of us on the job, I will say that you are a bit matter of fact and outside of the mainstream.

The vast majority of Officers on the street have tried at least 1 illegal drug once in their life. You are the exception, which I sincerely respect you for. But, don't be to quick to pat yourself on the back.

But overall, you're right, God forgives, depts. don't necessarily......unless you can show that you've overcome it and your positives outweigh your negatives.........OR, you meet their current "hiring needs".:rolleyes:

I would edit that to 'the majority of officers hired in the last 10 years or so' have tried one or more drugs......

I am in the minority as well.....never tried anything, as I considered the 'smokers' that I knew from high school to be losers..........most of the people that were hired at the same time as I was also had little to no drug use, as even slight experimentation was an auto DQ at the time.......

As far as the OP getting huffy about the blunt replies....if you are looking to get into LE, then you better get used to it......some of the bluntest people on the planet are those that are involved in the public safety field......

[GB0610]

I won't for a second devalidate your experience, but I will suggest that many of those guys who came out of the Vietnam era into LE might suggest i'm not to far off. Many of those guys were using on some level, but alas, there were no Polys to catch some of their background form answers. I'm not suggesting that all of these guys were smoking the "sweet leaf", but there were quite a few.

Anyways......

[GB0610]

Well, with all of the replies above, it appears they have all posted very wordy, yet exact copies of my statement (which I stand by :D)

Its not often we get to agree with a guy with such a great mustache!:D

[LA DEP]

I won't for a second devalidate your experience, but I will suggest that many of those guys who came out of the Vietnam era into LE might suggest i'm not to far off. Many of those guys were using on some level, but alas, there were no Polys to catch some of their background form answers. I'm not suggesting that all of these guys were smoking the "sweet leaf", but there were quite a few.

Anyways......

I'm sure many of the guys that got hired in the 70s did just that......I'm not QUITE that old though, thank you very much.......:eek:

I was hired in the late 80s.....and they did polys then (not on everyone though as far as I remember).....anything above experimentation (1-2 uses) was a DQ....sometimes even ONE use was a DQ.......and that was for MJ....anything else was an auto DQ at the time......now we are hiring folks that have used coke, meth, X, you name it......

[RCKoutWurGLKout]

Since the post has kinda veered off topic... I agree that the standards have laxed, and that some people got through a poly or never even had to take one, I would say that the majority of officers out there have something that most departments would be very unfavorable in their backgrounds. That being said, officers who had crappy pasts can/have changed and become great officers, just like I'm sure there are some that are in the opposite boat. Don't get me wrong, be as blunt as you want, but people can change, and this can mean they could be a good officer.

[2971511]

Not all officers have used drugs, I never did, and to infer that it's not sooo bad, well, depends on how you lok at it. Most depts. take the approach of a few times in High School between 10-18, even 19, is "youthful indiscretion"..... But to use at age 29 or 30,,, WTF,,,, thats not an oopps I was young and stupid,, thats a SERIOUS lapse in judgement. I also wonder how that, or any drug use would play with a jury,, they ask you under oath have you ever used, possessed dope, "yeah, about a year ago,,,, "....

If I were a chief, I would NEVER hire someone like that, but thats just me, call me old fashioned, but it is hypocritical to smoke dope and then Strap on a gun, pin on a badge, and become, a LAWMAN." IMHO

[IMachU]

Its not often we get to agree with a guy with such a great mustache!:D

Uh, huh? :confused: :cool: :D

[SoKalCopKid]

SDSO


Last time I used marijuana was in Nov. of 07. Im 21 now and cleaned up my act. The hiring Lt. told me to come back in January. He said they are very liberal and as long as your completely honest (like you should with anywhere you apply) You shouldn't have to much of a problem with them. Especially if you have finished a post academy already.

[GB0610]

Not all officers have used drugs, I never did, and to infer that it's not sooo bad, well, depends on how you lok at it. Most depts. take the approach of a few times in High School between 10-18, even 19, is "youthful indiscretion"..... But to use at age 29 or 30,,, WTF,,,, thats not an oopps I was young and stupid,, thats a SERIOUS lapse in judgement. I also wonder how that, or any drug use would play with a jury,, they ask you under oath have you ever used, possessed dope, "yeah, about a year ago,,,, "....

If I were a chief, I would NEVER hire someone like that, but thats just me, call me old fashioned, but it is hypocritical to smoke dope and then Strap on a gun, pin on a badge, and become, a LAWMAN." IMHO

Agree 100%

[avalon42]

SDSO


Last time I used marijuana was in Nov. of 07. Im 21 now and cleaned up my act. The hiring Lt. told me to come back in January. He said they are very liberal and as long as your completely honest (like you should with anywhere you apply) You shouldn't have to much of a problem with them. Especially if you have finished a post academy already.

This was for SDSO? They seemed pretty strict to me. I got my non-selection letter recently, and it was because I had 1 outstanding debt collection on my credit report.

[mdrdep]

I thank you all for your opinions. I do have a couple of things I would like to clear up. I NEVER used marijuana after I decided to go after a career in law enforcement. Yes, my use was when I was 29 years old rather than most of the younger people in my academy around the age of 23 to 25. You would be surprised how many people are in academy's with such recent usage though. Although I am thankful for all the response, I started this thread not to have people make me feel bad about myself and a situation I can not change and feel terrible about. I started the thread to see if there was any information on departments, other than the several I have found for 1 year at time of app., that would consider talking to me. Telling me, "Your Screwed" is not only not polite or respectfull, but really does not help me at all. I have put my life on hold for this. I am away from my wife and kids more than is healthy. I am going into a lot of debt. Most of all the mental and physical stress. Trust me, I am doing this all for the right reasons. If not I would have quit already.


Sorry, but while telling you, "Your Screwed" may not be polite or respectfull, but it does help you. Take your life off hold quit going into debt (that will only hurt your chances also) and take care of your family as they are or should be the most important thing in your life. Your chances right now are slim to none to get hired in law enforcement Spend the next three years making sure you live your life as if you were setting an example for society to follow. After 3 years you MAY have a chance. A lot of agencies are going to have a problem with you smoking grass so late in life no matter how many times you have done so.

Also if you do go into law enforcement get used to inpolite and disrespectful behavior.

[Outshined]

I would edit that to 'the majority of officers hired in the last 10 years or so' have tried one or more drugs......

I am in the minority as well.....never tried anything, as I considered the 'smokers' that I knew from high school to be losers..........most of the people that were hired at the same time as I was also had little to no drug use, as even slight experimentation was an auto DQ at the time.......

As far as the OP getting huffy about the blunt replies....if you are looking to get into LE, then you better get used to it......some of the bluntest people on the planet are those that are involved in the public safety field......

Amen brother. I have never used drugs, I drink beer. I have NEVER used any illegal DRUGS. UN fortunately, the vast majority of the young people we are seeing now have stuck about everything into their bodies they can.

[Outshined]

Sorry, but while telling you, "Your Screwed" may not be polite or respectfull, but it does help you. Take your life off hold quit going into debt (that will only hurt your chances also) and take care of your family as they are or should be the most important thing in your life. Your chances right now are slim to none to get hired in law enforcement Spend the next three years making sure you live your life as if you were setting an example for society to follow. After 3 years you MAY have a chance. A lot of agencies are going to have a problem with you smoking grass so late in life no matter how many times you have done so.

Also if you do go into law enforcement get used to inpolite and disrespectful behavior.


And again, thank you brother, I am feeling better that there is some common sense out there.

[Outshined]

Although I agree with you that folks on this board should not look for pity from those of us on the job, I will say that you are a bit matter of fact and outside of the mainstream.

Thank you for your input, I will take "Matter of Fact, and "outside the mainstream", over scumbag, drug using, dirtbags any day, any hour, any year. For GOD sakes people have some values and morals. I was going to retire soon, but I am going to stay in, JUST to keep people who have "played around with drugs", "been arrested a couple of times", and have little respect for the "LAW" out of this business in my little corner of the world.

The vast majority of Officers on the street have tried at least 1 illegal drug once in their life. You are the exception, which I sincerely respect you for. But, don't be to quick to pat yourself on the back.

I will be quick to "pat myself on the back" and pat any other LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER who has never been arrested, never put an illegal substance in their body, never compromised their values or morals to "fit in"

But overall, you're right, God forgives, depts. don't necessarily......unless you can show that you've overcome it and your positives outweigh your negatives.........OR, you meet their current "hiring needs".:rolleyes:

Over come it? Come on, lets be realistic here. You are in possession of one of the most powerful things in the human world, taking away someones freedom. If you have done it why should you have the power to do this. Every year we lower our standards just a bit. Lower them, because we are running into more and more people who are empowered to enforce our laws, that keep us safe and prevent anarchy from becoming the norm. There is no way that we should whore ourselves out and give in.

Law enforcement is one of the most honorable professions that we do, why should we compromise this?

[GB0610]

Over come it? Come on, lets be realistic here. You are in possession of one of the most powerful things in the human world, taking away someones freedom. If you have done it why should you have the power to do this. Every year we lower our standards just a bit. Lower them, because we are running into more and more people who are empowered to enforce our laws, that keep us safe and prevent anarchy from becoming the norm. There is no way that we should whore ourselves out and give in.

Law enforcement is one of the most honorable professions that we do, why should we compromise this?

Yes, I said Overcome it.

You referenced God in your post, so I'll reference my beliefs in my response. Not all of us had the forethought to abstain from every illegal substance, which includes beer before the age of 21, as it appears you did. Which I, once again, sincerely say congrats to you for. But I do not believe that it is appropriate for you to flippantly look upon people who made youthful indiscretions as "dirtbags" or a "druggie". I NEVER fell into either of those categories, by ANY stretch of the imagination.

I am not the kid I was at age 15. The Lord has taken me from a hard working, self centered, athletic youth and turned me into a man who sees integrity as his greatest attribute. I have a tremendous amount of honor and pride in the way I do my job. To suggest that I am in any way hindered from being successful or not deserving of the hard years I have but toward this career because of a few (and I mean very few compared to my peers) mistakes I made in high school is self-righteous of you.

Significant drug use, arrests, etc. are one thing.....things depts should not overlook (which I will again state that unfortunately many are, to fill, as I said before, "their hiring needs"). But for those of us who learned at a young age that integrity, dedication and trust are more than just buzzwords, I feel an opportunity to prove that should be provided. I am confident that my co-workers and the Officers I backup on a regular basis would tell you that I live the principles I aspose to believe in. My stupid decisions of drinking beer and smoking a bit of pot in my first year of high school have ZERO barring on the man I am now or the Officer I have become, let alone even the man I was years before my first LE application.

[RCKoutWurGLKout]

Again, a little off topic, but while I agree with Outshined, for the most part, I have to point out that I've read on her that several members here who are (self-stated) LEO committed fairly large felonies in their indiscretion of youth, but due to non-polygraph testing at the time, are (again self-stated) good cops. There are also stories from LEOs who say that they know guys on the force with some bad backgrounds that make great cops. I think that this profession should be looked upon very highly and with great pride, but at the same token, there are indeed those who have overcome their past stupid mistakes, manned up, and can become great cops.
*edit* You know, I just realized that many of us as officers like to say "we're human too" in reference to a hindsight mistake. Let's not forget that before we were officers, we were also human then. */edit*

[serenade84]

To the OP:

CHP requires at least 3 years.
LASD requires at least 2 years.

[pulicords]

I have to point out that I've read on her that several members here who are (self-stated) LEO committed fairly large felonies in their indiscretion of youth, but due to non-polygraph testing at the time, are (again self-stated) good cops. There are also stories from LEOs who say that they know guys on the force with some bad backgrounds that make great cops.

There's also a lot of people with "indiscretions" in their past that get hired anyway and (too late) the department learns they haven't changed their ways. The whole point of a background investigation is to get an idea about the character of the applicant.

Anyone can rehabilitate themselves, but that doesn't mean they will. The burden of proof is on the applicant with the questionable history and time (ie: years) is one of the few means of showing they've matured since the incidents in question. Someone who minimizes their actions and attempts to circumvent responsibility by pointing the finger at others, is (IMHO) not someone that I'd rely on in a position of trust and authority that peace officers hold.

[RCKoutWurGLKout]

There's also a lot of people with "indiscretions" in their past that get hired anyway and (too late) the department learns they haven't changed their ways. The whole point of a background investigation is to get an idea about the character of the applicant.

Anyone can rehabilitate themselves, but that doesn't mean they will. The burden of proof is on the applicant with the questionable history and time (ie: years) is one of the few means of showing they've matured since the incidents in question. Someone who minimizes their actions and attempts to circumvent responsibility by pointing the finger at others, is (IMHO) not someone that I'd rely on in a position of trust and authority that peace officers hold.

Agree with you 100%. That's why I am where I am currently, and hope to move to the LE side rather than the Detention side soon. :D. I just like to not totally crush the dreams of some of the people that ask questions. I mean, honesty is great, but I also try to encourage them that if they are serious, they have areas they may need to work on.

[JSL0506]

I'm sure many of the guys that got hired in the 70s did just that......I'm not QUITE that old though, thank you very much.......:eek:

I was hired in the late 80s.....and they did polys then (not on everyone though as far as I remember).....anything above experimentation (1-2 uses) was a DQ....sometimes even ONE use was a DQ.......and that was for MJ....anything else was an auto DQ at the time......now we are hiring folks that have used coke, meth, X, you name it......


How are the LASD hiring standards labeled to be picky when people who have tried coke, meth, etc are getting hired on? That's disgraceful.

[LA DEP]

How are the LASD hiring standards labeled to be picky when people who have tried coke, meth, etc are getting hired on? That's disgraceful.

Well, the standards tend to 'bend' depending on the 'needs of the Dept'.....if we are trying to hire 2500 people in a couple of years, they are not as picky about past drug use.......when we are only looking to hire 500 in the next 2 years or so, then they can pick and choose who they want.....

and we arent the only agency by a long shot that will hire you if you have experimented with some of the harder drugs......just a sign of the times....

[RCKoutWurGLKout]

How are the LASD hiring standards labeled to be picky when people who have tried coke, meth, etc are getting hired on? That's disgraceful.

Not saying it's right, but forgiving someone of a solitary past indiscretion isn't a horrible thing in my opinion. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I know when I was under the age of 18, and even into my very early twenties, I didn't think about the consequences as such of my current actions. I'm not excusing anyone's actions. We all have choices to make. If you make a bad one, and learn from it with/without getting caught, then kudos. Does it mean you should be an officer? Not necessarily that either.

[avalon42]

How are the LASD hiring standards labeled to be picky when people who have tried coke, meth, etc are getting hired on? That's disgraceful.

You're kidding, right? I thought all the hard drugs were auto DQ. What's up with that.

[LA DEP]

You're kidding, right? I thought all the hard drugs were auto DQ. What's up with that.

Nope....hasnt been an auto DQ for several years.....

[coptalk]

Most departments are 1-3 years for marijuana, 3-5 years for Stimulants, and 5-7 years for hallucinogens. Check the departments web sites. It's all there in black and white.

[avalon42]

Most departments are 1-3 years for marijuana, 3-5 years for Stimulants, and 5-7 years for hallucinogens. Check the departments web sites. It's all there in black and white.

You've got to be ****ing with me. Am I crazy, or was this not an AUTO DQ?

[CAleo]

Most departments are 1-3 years for marijuana, 3-5 years for Stimulants, and 5-7 years for hallucinogens. Check the departments web sites. It's all there in black and white.


Most Northern Cali Departments are on par with the above drug use policy. In fact I can't think of any department in Northern Cali that has auto DQs for experimental harsh drug use. Not saying there isn't, but none that I know of.

[avalon42]

Christ. Maybe I should try and get an LE job in Northern California. I've never done drugs, so that 1 bad credit account on my credit report should be looking ok.

[sinned]

I am finishing my POST academy in California in December. My background is really clean minus my past marijuana use. I listed on my PHS no more than six times between Nov. 07 and Feb. 08. 10-9? 6 month academy, you graduate in December, so you started in June and were still smoking weed in February…only 4 months prior to starting the academy?

Your last (most recent) use of marijuana was in February? I'm curious as to when you decided to explore a career in law enforcement and how you would reconcile at the mature (?) age of 30 that breaking the law by using an illegal intoxicant wouldn't be an issue? Don't you see any issues regarding your credibility, integrity or reliability as an enforcer of laws (even those you might be personally opposed to) when you are willing to break them for no other reason than your desire to get high? Did your interest in becoming intoxicated, outweigh your concern for entering a career field that would provide better benefits for you, your wife and children? Surely, you must have known that any recreational use of drugs (including marijuana) would be an issue. How would you justify your decision to significantly limit, if not eliminate your ability to gain employment by your actions?

I'd say you'll have a very difficult time gaining employment with any respected agency at this time. Maybe in a few years, but that might change too (depending on your decision and actions during that time). +1

[kcr]

Most Northern Cali Departments are on par with the above drug use policy. In fact I can't think of any department in Northern Cali that has auto DQs for experimental harsh drug use. Not saying there isn't, but none that I know of.

I'm pretty sure LSD and PCP are still Auto DQs around here. I think there is one more that is escaping me too.

[CAleo]

I'm pretty sure LSD and PCP are still Auto DQs around here. I think there is one more that is escaping me too.

Not trying to be rude but, I said "on par", which means, not exact but close to.

I believe the other one that is escaping you is the intravenous use of harsh drugs. Also, I agree with you on the LSD as an auto DQ for northern Cali agencies, not sure on the PCP though, wouldn't doubt it.