Employment Question

[Serpus2k2]

I got to talking to a police chief of one of the local depts. in my area. He was giving me pointers on how to make myself stand out in the crowd of people who apply and how to set myself apart from others. So far I am working hard in school towards a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice.

I have a lot of experience with computers due to past schooling. He said that would also help because with this day and age computers are becoming more and more important in LE. I have no record aside from a parking ticket. But I have concern currently with advancing my career. I know some depts. do and do not make you submit to a polygraph test. He told me if I could answer No to three questions I would be above 75% of applicants and be in a 25% bracket.

Basically the questions were "Have you done any illegal narcotics? Have you possessed any illegal narcotics? Have you sold any illegal narcotics?" Unfortunately during high school I tried pot and I know I can't say no to the first two questions. He also told me things that happened 5 years or more can usually be explained away. I know I was being a stupid, immature, young teenager back then but will my actions in the past prevent me from having a career in LE?

[ChesCopPodz]

Have you sole any illegal narcotics?"
If he asked if you SOLD any, then yes you may have set yourself back pretty well. A lot of departments will disqualify you on that alone. I don't know of any in my area that would hire someone who was a drug dealer. If you meant STOLE narcotics, it would depend on a lot of factors but you could still be in some trouble. Also a word of advice, ditch the CJ degree and get one in something else. Very few departments specify that an applicant have a degree in CJ, they just want you to have a degree. Get a degree in something else so if you can't get hired, or get hired and something happens like a career ending injury, you have something to fall back on.

[Serpus2k2]

He said sold any narcotics. Which I have never done in my life and never plan on doing. I should of been more clear on that. I am also minoring in Networking and finishing off most the experience I got back in other classes. Now I was also told in the area I live in more and more departments are requiring 2-4 year degrees. Many officers I talked to did what I am doing. I was just worried due to the fact back in high school I had experimented with pot.

[pkagel]

I'm sure they are out there but I've yet to see a department DQ someone only for using pot once back in high school. Take a breath, your life's goal is not over!

[keith758]

If they would have disqualified me for trying pot when I was a teenager, I would have spent my life in a Foundry! Unfortunately, now it's almost like someone is lying if they tell you they never tried it. Now, if you were still using, it'd be a different story. Whatever you do, be honest in your interviews. If you did it, admit it.

[Airforcop]

Originally posted by keith758
If they would have disqualified me for trying pot when I was a teenager, I would have spent my life in a Foundry! Unfortunately, now it's almost like someone is lying if they tell you they never tried it. Now, if you were still using, it'd be a different story. Whatever you do, be honest in your interviews. If you did it, admit it.

I guess I'm one of the few who can honestly say I've never tried any illegal drug in my life. I'm hoping that works to my advantage when I start testing early next year after doing 9 years as a cop in the Air Force.

[keith758]

I truly wish I could make that statement. I did a lot of stupid things when I was young, and I'm not proud of any of them. I'd be proud if I were you. Good luck in the future. After 9 years in the Air Force, you'd be an asset to any department. Good luck.

[Airforcop]

Originally posted by keith758
I truly wish I could make that statement. I did a lot of stupid things when I was young, and I'm not proud of any of them. I'd be proud if I were you. Good luck in the future. After 9 years in the Air Force, you'd be an asset to any department. Good luck.

That's what I'm hoping. 9 years as a cop in the Air Force, 6 years in police explorers prior to the military, Associates degree in Criminal Justice, and working on a Bachelor's in Information Technology. Nevere done any drugs, never been in any trouble with the law. The worse I've done is a bit of shoplifting when I was 13. Got caught, store didn't press charges, and quickly changed my ways. Few speeding tickets here and there, nothing in the past 4 years. So I'm hoping I stick out as compared to my fellow applicants.

[VAsteve20]

Originally posted by Airforcop
I guess I'm one of the few who can honestly say I've never tried any illegal drug in my life. I'm hoping that works to my advantage when I start testing early next year after doing 9 years as a cop in the Air Force.
im with you on that...
hell i dont even drink... poison free.
worst thing i have ever done was not even my own choice, i have nothing to hide but im still worried about taking that polygraph...
just the thought of it deciding whether or not i achive my goal, is bothersome.
i just dont see suedo science deciding my career path as being justified. but thats my opinion... lots of people have been shafted by departments that rely more on the actual poly readings rather than the operators judgment. the polygraph has infact been proven very unreliable, businesses out side of the government have been prohibited from using them within thier application process, its only a matter of time when the government itself will realize no machine can detect the actual human reaction to deception.

on every application i have filled out, it states Drug use and possession in the last 5 years is an auto disqual (south eastern VA)
good luck with everything.

[ChesCopPodz]

Disregard