Med discharge a disqualifying factor?

[navy01752]

Hey guys... I just took my PAT for the San Diego PD and passed with time to spare. So my written test and PAT are done! If everything else goes according to plan I should be in the Regional Academy by April. I have a few questions though... I recieved a medical discharge from the USN for my shoulder and someone told me that they might not hire me for that reason. My shoulder I know will be fine through training and on the job. The person who told me this is not a LEO or affiliated with the community in any way. What do you think? Also, how is the Regional Academy in SoCal? The website says its "low stress". Is it still para military? Also do you know if San Diego PD has take home cars?? I have many questions, i know. But I really appreciate your answers to any of these questions.

[bkema2095]

Obviously the first step is to make the agency aware of your discharge, which I'm sure you did. Give them all your military paperwork and confirm with them that they understand what the circumstances are. I'm sure your medical examination might be more in-depth, however, roll with it and you should come up on top.

I don't know much about SDPD so I'm no help there....I'm from northern cali...good luck with the process.

[DAL]

A medical discharge is not an automatic disqualifier. However, if the doctor who does your physical concludes that your shoulder is likely to present future problems, the department may decide not to hire you. The reason is that medical retirements are costly. You used to be able to download the POST medical guidelines for free at the POST website, but now it seems that they want $19. The guidelines are not binding anyway.

Good luck.

[IE Copper]

Your injury will be discussed with the city physician who will decide if you are fit for duty. Background investigators only concern themselves with major, obvious, physical problems/conditions. The ADA requires that you be offered a conditional offer of employment prior to being asked any medical questions. If you can perform every duty listed on the website (its funny to read them because they are insanely easy) then don't worry about your injury, just make sure to disclose it at your medical evaluation.

I know an officer who has only two fingers on his right hand. He's great cop and I would have no problem with him backing me. Some of the O.C. guys might know him also.

[GB0610]

Don't jump the gun to soon with expecting to be in the April Academy. Passing the PAT and obstacle course is not a major accomplishment...the background (depending how long it takes for yours, you might get pushed back to a later date if not DQ'ed), poly and oral board will truly decide if you make it.

No take home cars for SDPD.

Read around on here about the academy. There are many posts on it.
More of a college enviornment in the classroom, but you will be tested and pushed in other areas.

[navy01752]

My polygraph and background investigation will not be that big of a hurdle for me. I have had many in the past for my previous job at an agency. Except the investigations that I had took two years. Way more in depth. I will have to be on my game for the oral board. Youre right, the written test and the PAT are not big accomplishments however with the luck I have had in the past in MA I am thrilled with how fast the process is here in san diego. In MA everything is based off of your 5 hour written test. I was number one on the list and I was told that it was going to be about a five year wait! They charge you $150 for the PAT then $100 for the written test. Then you take the test and wait 2,5,10 years! no joke. The test only comes around once every two years. After I ran the PAT the LEOs facilitating it told us that they are banking on getting us into the april class. I have had bad luck these past couple of years and I am really hoping to be in that academy by april. Every little step I take towards this career is a pretty big deal for me at this point.