Given my checkered past...

[Aperture]

... could I ever be a police officer?

I'm 22 now, will be graduating with a BS in biology this spring, and another bachelor's in chemistry in spring 2007. After that, I'll most likely go to graduate school, perhaps working a couple years first to build up a little money.

I have no doubt that I can pass the physical/psychological requirements to be an officer and I usually do very, very well on standardized tests.

I was a bit of a delinquent when I was younger though. Between the ages of 13 and 18 I smoked marijuana ~70 times, and used cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and opium a handful of times each. I sold marijuana and cocaine in small amounts for a couple months. I also engaged in a fair amount of petty theft and property crime. From ages 19-20 I smoked a few times, but have been clean for ~18 months.

I have no criminal or arrest record, but have been stopped/questioned/frisked on suspicion of various things several times.

I would be applying to medium sized cities in the upper midwest, if that makes any difference.

Questions:

1. Obviously I'm not eligible to be a cop at the moment. Is there any length of time that would change that?

2. Are the background requirements less stringent to work in forensics? Could I meet them?

3. Do the "stop and frisk" incidents go on any sort of record? I usually had my name and address taken.

[COASTIE01]

You might want to look into another career path. I dont know a bout forensics but you pretty much have a snowballs chance in h@ll of being a cop. Sorry.

[SO19Trojan]

Aperture ....................

Good luck with whatever you choose to do in life.
I'm not qualified to answer about the application process in the US but if you were on my side of the pond, I'd be hinting at you to concede that you probably will not be wearing a cops uniform in this lifetime.

I was a bit of a delinquent when I was younger though

This though, has got to be the understatement of the year so far on o.com !!

:eek:

[WILawman]

Sorry dude, there is NO WAY anyone will hire you!

Did you really do all that? :eek: I kind of think your full of crap. As educated as you say you are, you should no better than to ask if you can be a cop or even in forensics after you've sampled almost every drug in the book. Not to mention you were a drug dealer and a thief.

Sorry dude.

[Rasta]

I sold marijuana and cocaine in small amounts for a couple months. I also engaged in a fair amount of petty theft and property crime.

This part of your past would disqualify you from my force. I suggest you phone several departments and inquire as to their standards. There probably is a record of your "stop and frisk" encounters. My force requires officers to make a record of every detention and the disposition of the detention.

From what you say, you may want to explore a career in forensics.

[FutureLE]

I wouldnt worry about the "stop and frisk", because the drug use will definetly DQ you. Sorry but LSD, cocaine, opium are pretty hard drugs.

... could I ever be a police officer?

I'm 22 now, will be graduating with a BS in biology this spring, and another bachelor's in chemistry in spring 2007. After that, I'll most likely go to graduate school, perhaps working a couple years first to build up a little money.

I have no doubt that I can pass the physical/psychological requirements to be an officer and I usually do very, very well on standardized tests.

I was a bit of a delinquent when I was younger though. Between the ages of 13 and 18 I smoked marijuana ~70 times, and used cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and opium a handful of times each. I sold marijuana and cocaine in small amounts for a couple months. I also engaged in a fair amount of petty theft and property crime. From ages 19-20 I smoked a few times, but have been clean for ~18 months.

I have no criminal or arrest record, but have been stopped/questioned/frisked on suspicion of various things several times.

I would be applying to medium sized cities in the upper midwest, if that makes any difference.

Questions:

1. Obviously I'm not eligible to be a cop at the moment. Is there any length of time that would change that?

2. Are the background requirements less stringent to work in forensics? Could I meet them?

3. Do the "stop and frisk" incidents go on any sort of record? I usually had my name and address taken.

[JohnnyV]

Sorry but no

[miked6]

... could I ever be a police officer?

I'm 22 now, will be graduating with a BS in biology this spring, and another bachelor's in chemistry in spring 2007. After that, I'll most likely go to graduate school, perhaps working a couple years first to build up a little money.

I have no doubt that I can pass the physical/psychological requirements to be an officer and I usually do very, very well on standardized tests.

I was a bit of a delinquent when I was younger though. Between the ages of 13 and 18 I smoked marijuana ~70 times, and used cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and opium a handful of times each. I sold marijuana and cocaine in small amounts for a couple months. I also engaged in a fair amount of petty theft and property crime. From ages 19-20 I smoked a few times, but have been clean for ~18 months.

I have no criminal or arrest record, but have been stopped/questioned/frisked on suspicion of various things several times.

I would be applying to medium sized cities in the upper midwest, if that makes any difference.

Questions:

1. Obviously I'm not eligible to be a cop at the moment. Is there any length of time that would change that?

2. Are the background requirements less stringent to work in forensics? Could I meet them?

3. Do the "stop and frisk" incidents go on any sort of record? I usually had my name and address taken.

My opinions....

Most departments (and this is a nice way of saying all) automatically DQ for sale of any controlled substance as well as the use of any mind altering narcotic (LSD, PCP, etc.). I would also think that 70 instances of marijuana is a bit more than experimentation, which is the standard with most departments. You have displayed a long standing and continued disrespect for the law. I would not think any department could, in good faith, make you a job offer for a certified peace officer position.

1. Based on your passed indiscretions, no time frame could really help you to display a pattern of responsibilty suitable of becoming a certified peace officer.

2. Forensics standards with departments that use non-certified eveidence techs are less stringent, but in my opinion, you still would not be considered.

3. Terry stops are not logged into NCIC, so no, they should not go on your record. Those cards are generally filled out for CAD purposes, or for further investigation of similar activity. But, many departments, during the background phase, will ask if you have ever been questioned by the police as a suspect.

[icecoldblueyes]

2. Forensics standards with departments that use non-certified eveidence techs are less stringent, but in my opinion, you still would not be considered.



I would have to agree.... although all the civilian positions in the department I work for, go through a very thorough background; as well as poly, psych, drug tests, etc.

[Aperture]

More or less what I expected, thanks for the responses.

[CincyCop]

I'm 22 now, will be graduating with a BS in biology this spring, and another bachelor's in chemistry in spring 2007. After that, I'll most likely go to graduate school, perhaps working a couple years first to build up a little money...


On a positive note, that will be an impressive resume. :)

-Collin

[7mary3]

Move to New Jersey, as long as you have a political hook you'll get hired.