Any Hope for me?

[SETASC]

What do you actually do for a living, as your post is rather cryptic?

It appears that you did all of this drug use while in college studying CJ, correct?

I am sure that somewhere on this planet there is a dept. that will give you a chance. Unless you find that department you are wasting your time, as you are far outside the standards of most departments and a number of states.

Yes sir, I'm sure there is. But I don't have the ability to move..well I do but I won't. I have a little girl here that I refuse to leave. But thanks so much for the feedback.

[SETASC]

You don't get to dictate how your question is answered on this forum.

I told you the same thing all the others did plus I included a reference point as to why I posted what I did.

My style may be more blunt than others but you got an honest answer.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?161856-Looking-for-some-advice.&p=2678653&highlight=#post2678653

If you consider the above answers as LESS THAN CORDIAL I highly doubt you have the temperament for law enforcement.

Sir, I have been working in the law enforcement/corrections field for over two years now. I don't think my temperament is going to be an issue.

[vincelli]

Yes they know about it all. Yes the background investigator knew about it all. You know Iowa.....nobody is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. I think I have done quite a bit to right my wrongs all on or before on 21st birthday. I've posted on here twice looking for advice and both times you have been less than cordial. If I ask for advice on here again feel free you keep yours to yourself. Everyone else thank you very much I am very grateful for you feedback. I am looking for an honest answer and if you believe I am SOL I am thank full for the honest answer, but this guy you just rub me the wrong way.

Uhm,

I've re-read Iowa's post a few times now and I'm not seeing this "less than cordial" attitude you're throwing out.

First and foremost, Iowa was bluntly answering your question.

Second, YOU need to keep in mind that he (and the rest of us) are answering your question based upon the hiring guidelines of the vast majority of LE Agencies. WE don't set those guidelines (they were set long before ANY of us even considered LE as a career).

Finally, if you believe that that reply was "uncordial" you've obviously not spent too much time in this forum.

-V

EDIT: As for how we answer questions around here, this is "Ask a Cop", not "Ask a therapist who will make me feel better".

[SETASC]

Uhm,

I've re-read Iowa's post a few times now and I'm not seeing this "less than cordial" attitude you're throwing out.

First and foremost, Iowa was bluntly answering your question.

Second, YOU need to keep in mind that he (and the rest of us) are answering your question based upon the hiring guidelines of the vast majority of LE Agencies. WE don't set those guidelines (they were set long before ANY of us even considered LE as a career).

Finally, if you believe that that reply was "uncordial" you've obviously not spent too much time in this forum.

-V

EDIT: As for how we answer questions around here, this is "Ask a Cop", not "Ask a therapist who will make me feel better".

Maybe your right, and I haven't. But I have read a few of his responses and anytime he responds to me it just irks me.

[Bearcat357]

If you would have read my post, I didn't do the weed and 'shrooms when he passed that was in high school. Not like its any better but I use the inhalants on the night on the 21st bithday party. I was in a I don't bad frame of mind. Its not an excuse it is what it is. Fist time a lost a family member and I was alone in Alaska so I freaked out. Everyone responds differently to stuff like that. I was young and dumb and made some bad choices. Dosen't make me a bad person.

You did what you did....no matter when you did it.....

As stated, not everyone opts to do what you did to grief. Besides myself, I am sure there are millions out there that didn't opt to abuse a substance to forget your woe which were still going to be there when you got off your buzz.....

I am shocked you even have a job in Corrections. I know in State of MO and Commonwealth of Virginia you'd be SOL in that dept........

[SETASC]

You did what you did....no matter when you did it.....

As stated, not everyone opts to do what you did to grief. Besides myself, I am sure there are millions out there that didn't opt to abuse a substance to forget your woe which were still going to be there when you got off your buzz.....

I am shocked you even have a job in Corrections. I know in State of MO and Commonwealth of Virginia you'd be SOL in that dept........

Your right. and how I handled it was not a good choice. But for all millions who made better choices and handled things better than I did, there are many more million who handled adversity much worse. Don't be that shocked just because I was young and lost my way for a bit doesn't mean I’m not a hard working guy with a passion for the job. I obviously do good work I worked with Parole in a different capacity before THEY help me get this job. I must be doing something right. And my god it was almost 10 years ago, its not like I havent grown up I was a young 21 years old. I think your allowed to make mistakes in like. Mine might be bigger then most of yours but it is what it is.

[vincelli]

Your right. and how I handled it was not a good choice. But for all millions who made better choices and handled things better than I did, there are many more million who handled adversity much worse. Don't be that shocked just because I was young and lost my way for a bit doesn't mean I’m not a hard working guy with a passion for the job. I obviously do good work I worked with Parole in a different capacity before THEY help me get this job. I must be doing something right. And my god it was almost 10 years ago, its not like I havent grown up I was a young 21 years old. I think your allowed to make mistakes in like. Mine might be bigger then most of yours but it is what it is.

I believe in second-chances (at least to a point).

I see a vast difference between a hardcore drug-user, and someone who tried shrooms once at a young age and then got his life together and spent a decade with his nose completely clean.

Unfortunately, what you have to understand is that with the multitude of applicants in LE, Agencies are able to set some high standards and not be very forgiving.

As I pointed out, the members of this forum didn't set those standards.

I'd rather be honest and tell you that your chances are pretty slim. Impossible? No. There is probably a PD out there somewhere that would take you, but finding that PD is gonna be quite the challenge.

Most of us choose not to sugar-coat things.

-V

[jk4963ncj]

Hard work and passion for the job don't mean a thing if you have something in your past that DQ's you. You asked for our opinion, and for the last 2 hours you've attempted to justify and mitigate what YOU did that disqualifies you from working in LE. Doesn't matter if it was 10 years ago, or 50 years ago. Be thankful for the corrections job you have now, and do your best to be successful there.

[Iowa #1603]

I too, believe in rehabilitation.....................heck I wouldn't have put 30 yrs in a prison if I thought I wasn't doing some good.


The thing is there are some places where certain previous behavior is just not going to be acceptable.

The departments have decided what is forgivable and what is not..................................the admission of commission of a felony (especially as an adult) is an automatic DQ in nearly every department in the country. The CONVICTION of a felony is pretty hard line fact.

Sometimes departments have some wiggle room in their standards and sometimes they don't....................................



As far as making bad choices----------------------------BTDT. It cost me BIG. While not really a fatal mistake I made one that ended my LEO career for several years. I went into Corrections and remained there even thou I am still certified as a LEO. The bottom line is I had to live with the consequences of that bad choice.

[SETASC]

I believe in second-chances (at least to a point).

I see a vast difference between a hardcore drug-user, and someone who tried shrooms once at a young age and then got his life together and spent a decade with his nose completely clean.

Unfortunately, what you have to understand is that with the multitude of applicants in LE, Agencies are able to set some high standards and not be very forgiving.

As I pointed out, the members of this forum didn't set those standards.

I'd rather be honest and tell you that your chances are pretty slim. Impossible? No. There is probably a PD out there somewhere that would take you, but finding that PD is gonna be quite the challenge.

Most of us choose not to sugar-coat things.

-V

I'm glad that you don't. But I have read the standards for the departments I want to apply to and nothing in my past is going to DQ me, the drug use and criminal charge is far enough back that it won't. Yes I have made mistakes, and I'll be the first to stand up and say so. But I don't think that after decade of flying right and working hard I should be judged based on my mistakes as a kid. But thanks for the response =)

[LAChief]

SETASC,

You have received honest answers here. I believe some from Rookie Officers all the way up to Veteran Officers. Some people might advise to put in for a smaller agency because of possible lower standards they might have. Being a Chief of a smaller agency, that might have worked in the past, but today's society expects a higher standard from Officers, even in the smaller communities. If you would have submitted an application with my department, after seeing what you had listed, I probably would have thrown it in the trash.
Sit back, enjoy the job that you do have right now and allow more time to pass. Just keep in mind that we have jumped through the hoops, made self sacrifices, and had our trials by fire to achieve what we have, the right to call ourselves Law Enforcement Officers.

[Smurfette_76]

Then why did you ask?

[SETASC]

Uhm,

I've re-read Iowa's post a few times now and I'm not seeing this "less than cordial" attitude you're throwing out.

First and foremost, Iowa was bluntly answering your question.

Second, YOU need to keep in mind that he (and the rest of us) are answering your question based upon the hiring guidelines of the vast majority of LE Agencies. WE don't set those guidelines (they were set long before ANY of us even considered LE as a career).

Finally, if you believe that that reply was "uncordial" you've obviously not spent too much time in this forum.

-V

EDIT: As for how we answer questions around here, this is "Ask a Cop", not "Ask a therapist who will make me feel better".

LOL! Thats Funny! Mad my laugh...Good Job!

[SETASC]

Hard work and passion for the job don't mean a thing if you have something in your past that DQ's you. You asked for our opinion, and for the last 2 hours you've attempted to justify and mitigate what YOU did that disqualifies you from working in LE. Doesn't matter if it was 10 years ago, or 50 years ago. Be thankful for the corrections job you have now, and do your best to be successful there.

Thank you

[Michigan]

SETASC,

We get it. You got answers that you didn't expect. Your feeling are hurt and you're mad at us now. You have to deal with it and live with the decisions that you made. Did that meke you laugh too?

And to answer the next question that you're no doubt going to ask the next time you see one of us in person... is yes, we want fries with that.