Background question, please be honest

[psu12]

I would like to ask you guys a few questions regarding some things i have done that might hinder me getting hired as a LEO. The first thing im concerned about is my freshmen year in college, which was 5/almost 6 years ago. During my freshmen year of college i smoked weed a few times and i also experimented with steroids. I would say the last time i smoked was X-mas time of 2004, and with the steroids i only used them for three weeks in or around June 2005. Since this was so long ago would it really affect my chances of being hired. I already know LAPD will not hire me due to the steroid use, but im still wondering about Law Enforcement Agencies on the east coast, since im from Pennsylvania. Now fast forward 5 years later.....

My second question is about a dui i was recently charged with, I was charged with the dui in January. Since this was the first time i was ever in trouble with the law i was placed on ARD and will have it expunged when i finish the program. The ARD program is not pleading guilty or getting convicted as i understand it.

My question is do you guys think i should wait to start applying to departments because of my recent dui, or did i screw up any chances of being a LEO? Im graduating soon from a top university with a great GPA, bachelors degree, references from professors, ect, will the mistakes i made above outweigh my accomplishments? And if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Also if anyone knows any departments that would consider me for employment even with my above mistakes, please let me know, ive always wanted to be a LEO and would like to have something lined up for when i graduate next December.

thanks in advance,
PSU12

[LeanG]

.......................My second question is about a dui i was recently charged with, I was charged with the dui in January............... .......My question is do you guys think i should wait to start applying to departments because of my recent dui...............
PSU12

Yeah, you should wait.

[psu12]

thats what i was thinking as well, but i was wondering how long i should wait? I was also wondering if my chances are completely shot because of the above?

[LeanG]

There's always a chance, but this better be your alternate dream job. You got popped for DUI just 2 1/2 months ago. Now isn't the time to be wondering how long you should wait. Let's have this conversation after your record has been "expunged", which means nothing in the LE/Background world.

If you want me to just arbitrarily pluck a magic number out of cyberspace and satisfy your curiosity as to how long you should wait, let's just say.....what else do you want to be in life?

[psu12]

Thats pretty much what im asking, with a dui charge are you automatically disqualified from being a leo. This is what ive always wanted to do but if my chances are shot now ill just continue getting a job within my current major

[R.A.B.]

I would imagine in these economic times that getting popped for DUI just 2.5 months ago would be an automatic DQ. Once you put a few years behind it, staying out of trouble of course, you should be ok to start applying IMHO.

[LeanG]

You're not automatically DQed from all jobs (although my dept would not hire you even if you had 20 good years after the dui). It all depends on the agency. But a good rule of thumb is about.............7-10 years.

But that's just a rough guesstimate. It depends on the agency, the needs, the mission statement (obviously a traffic oriented agency like most highway patrols would have a problem with it) etc.

[FiremanMike]

Most agencies in this area are 5 years for 1 DUI, 2 duis are DQ. Columbus PD recently changed their requirements to no DUI within 2 years.

[psu12]

Thanks for everyone responding so far, and thanks for being honest.

Does anyone know of any agencies that do not have a strict dui policy.
(EX. like not having more than two duis period, doesnt matter on when)

[psu12]

And i forgot to ask, what about my smoking and steroid experimenting when i was a freshman in college 5-6 years ago, is this not going to be a big deal because of how long ago it was?

[sigcopper]

The pot smoking thing isn't a big deal. The roid issue would be big at my department. If I'm not mistaken, in MN it would be felony to have in possession....not sure though....I'd have to look. The DWI.....you'd have to wait at a minimum of 2 years for my department. The DWI isn't a killer but the roids sure could be. Thought of the military?

[PhilipCal]

You've got some potential major problems. The marijuana use is probably the least of them, and were that the only bump on your personal history, it wouldn't be a problem. Steroid use is often a major no-no, as in DQ with many agencies. Your DUI. The first thing you need to know, is that regardless of the disposition of the case, there is no such thing as an Expungement. LE Background Investigators routinely access cases which have been expunged/sealed. You could contact a Recruiter,Background investigator at an agency which interests you, to see where you stand. Be prepared for some answers you probably won't like.

[psu12]

Thanks again for responding guys,
I havent thought about military and probably wont, im currently working on great major and minor which will hopefully make me a lot of money if a career in law enforcement doesnt work out. As far as the steroid use, i wasnt aware that it would be such a problem since it was so long ago and i only tried it.

If anyone has any more information please let me know, i know some of the agencies ive contacted on the east coast said that the steroid use will not be much of a problem as long as it was a while ago and im honest about it, these same agencies also recommended that i wait another 9 months before applying. But i would definitely like to here more information you guys have on my original question.

And again, thanks in advance for answering.

[PhilipCal]

Let me suggest this to you. You can come on the site and inquire, and there's no problem with that. We're glad to help if we can. You can also do some research on your own. Most LE agencies maintain websites. Some are better and more informative than others, but most will contain some information concerning qualifications and requirements. Visit these sites. Measure yourself honestly and objectively against the stated requirements. If it's possible to contact a Recruiter or an Officer familiar with an agencies' requirements, you should do so.In this manner, you'll obtain timely and accurate information, and eliminate any guess work or speculation.

[psu12]

i definitely understand what your saying when you say contact a recruiter and whatnot, the only problem im having is that im getting answers from different recruiters.....,

for example, i called NOPD and inquired about my dui, and they said it should not be a problem, but on their website it says that its automatically a disqualification, does anyone have an answer to this? Ive also had this happen for the LAPD, USCP and a few more, im just somewhat confused? If anyone could explain this to me id really appreciate it.

Im at the point to where im probably going to just wait a year and then apply and take my chances since im getting different answers from recruiters.

Thanks for everyone responding so far, i appreciate it.