Should I even try?

[Kelli]

I really want to be an officer but I am not sure if I am qualified at all because of some stuff I did in high school. I experimented with drugs and smoked a lot of pot. I have a clean driving record and no criminal record. I have good credit and have worked since I was 15. I graduated high school a year early and finished 3rd in my class. I am going to start college next semester to get my bachelors degree in criminal justice but I think I might be wasting my time. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[TrollEater]

My advice (I really don't know anything though), would be to go and find the "Minimul Qualifications" list put out by the departments you wish to be hired by. If you see that the "E" you dropped or the acid you took is a disqualifying factor, there you have it. If it says no more than 10x use of MJ, there you have it...

[pkagel]

By the time your done w/ college you should be 5 years past your MJ use and if you did nothing harder than that and have kept up a clean record and do lots of community service, including some anti-drug work, then you should not worry. If you took and Hallucingenic (sp) drugs then most departments automatically will DQ you.

[Kelli]

Thanks for your input. I am going to look into the "Minimal Qualifications" at some departments around Houston. I have tried lsd one time when I was 16. I hope that doesn't disqualify me because I don't consider myself to be a bad person at all. I was just a stupid teenager. I do volunteer work as a court appointed advocate for abused children. I also am considering the peace corps(don't know if that will help any). At least from what you guys have said I might have a chance.

[Joe159]

LSD is a major red flag for alot of depts. Many depts will terminate you during the hiring process, once you advise them of your LSD usage. Even one time LSD usage will get you terminated. However, some depts may be a bit forgiving.

[LPDtactical]

Originally posted by Kelli
I experimented with drugs and smoked a lot of pot.
Thanks!

sounds like you did a little more than experimented..... Be honest and hope for the best...

[COBRA90GT]

Honesty is your best policy. Be up front about EVERYTHING.

Unfortunately, like someone else hinted at earlier, the LSD use (even if only ONE time), CAN and most likely WILL be an automatic DQ. :(

Sorry, but I wouldn't get your hopes up TOO much. Definately check into the minimum requirements for several departments which you wish you work for. Go directly to the "automatic disqualifiers" section and read it carefully. It should be clearly outlined there. G'luck!

[SinePari]

Sounds like a few years with Uncle Sammy might be in your future...