Background question, please be honest

[psu12]

Again thanks everyone for responding, my only other question deals with departments requirements and why recruiters say some things like duis are not grounds for immediate disqualification when their website says it is, im having a hard time trying to figure this one out.

thanks in advance for your answers/opinions

[wayno1806]

Another perspective

Here is a perspective a lot of you guys/gals (applicants) don't look at. It's not that the dept. doesn't want to hire you because of your indelible past. The truth to it is, every agency will get up to 100 applicants for one opening.

So in essence, they will have the pick of the litter, and there will always be another applicant out there with "Less" issues or "Less" mistakes than you.

There are applicants with ex. College degrees, Military experience, good references, and a squeaky clean back ground, and they too struggle in getting into a dept. Just because you are clean, and educated doesn't guarantee a job. YOu have to know how to play the civil service game, score high on oral exams, and fit in to the dept. you are applying too, or at least say what they want to hear.

[R.A.B.]

You will NOT have a job lined up after you get out of college, that DUI just screams "I want to be a cop..." The departments I have applied to all say at least 7 years from an OWI (that's what it is called in my state), as for the pot usage, most PD say 3 years minimum. Like someone said above me, look for another job, possibly probation/parole, dispatcher, I don't see you having a career in this field. There are too many people like me out there who haven't had ANY contact with the police applying to police departments for them to take a risk in hiring you.

Just think, this career has a high rate of alcoholism and drug abuse, and you have gotten a DUI & used steroids, not looking good for you. Like most others have said, look for another career. Should not drink and drive!

This isn't the ask an applicant section, or security officer/student section......you can't reply here. If you are applying to Police Depts I hope you follow directions on the applications better than you have followed the rules here.

[psu12]

Thanks for everyones opinions, my plan is to keep calling different departments and just try and start applying, ive actually gotten some PMs from individuals who have been in a similar situation as mine and gotten hired as a LEO because their accomplishments and college education has somewhat outweighed their mistakes they have made in the past. I know im definitely not going to be considered if i dont even try.

My only other question is why do some department websites min requirements not actually reflect their hiring requirements when i call and speak with recruiters. If anyone knows the answer to this id really appreciate it, mainly NOPD.

Thanks again everyone, i really appreciate the time you gave up to help respond with my questions.

[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.

[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]

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]

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.

[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?

[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?

[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)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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