Officer's with Epilepsy

[AsRT]

*Edit for those searching* - Please see my follow up post. I was hired.

After talking to various recruiters in different states I've been made aware through their clinics that, with the degree of control I have on medication, I should have no issues passing the medical exam with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.

I'm wondering if anyone here is or knows of anyone who has made it through the process. I know it will still put me at a disadvantage competitively.

I have some time before I can apply to any agencies and I've been determined fully mission capable by the Army as a 13F. I'm hoping that will help somewhat during the selection process.

Any info is appreciated,

Thanks

[Zeitgeist]

I only know of one officer that has epilepsy. He had to retire.
That's really a medical question that the doctor connected to the dept would have to answer.
It's been a minute since I got out of the Army, but isn't a 13F psyops?
(or whatever they're calling it now.)

[AsRT]

Fire Support Specialist is the technical term. We are Forward Observer's though. We work with Infantry and call in Artillery and such. It's Combat Arms so I felt pretty good about getting approved for Fully Mission Capable.

[Iowa #1603]

Fire Support Specialist is the technical term. We are Forward Observer's though. We work with Infantry and call in Artillery and such. It's Combat Arms so I felt pretty good about getting approved for Fully Mission Capable.

First of all be aware that being "fully mission capable" means absolutely nothing when dealing with Law Enforcement hiring standards. The descriptions are farther apart than Apples and kumquats.


The term Epilepsy covers a multitude of symptoms and effects so the question you asked is going to have to be decided my a medical professional who will then advise the Law Enforcement Administrator who actually does the hiring for whatever agency you choose to apply

[1911user]

Do not trust a recruiter, you need to speak to the chief Surgeon or Medical officer for the agency you are seeking employment with. Only they can tell you after evaluating you, your medical history and that agency's requiements, if you qualify.

[L-1]

Go here http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/Neuro.pdf and read the section on seizures. While these are California's standards, the medical principles behind them do not stop at the state line.

Print the standards out, take them to your own doctor and ask him to review them. Then ask him to pretend that he is the police department's doctor and is being paid to look out for their interests and not yours. Then ask him if he would hire you under these standards knowing what he does about your condition. That will give you an idea as to where you stand.

[AsRT]

Go here http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/Neuro.pdf and read the section on seizures. While these are California's standards, the medical principles behind them do not stop at the state line.

Print the standards out, take them to your own doctor and ask him to review them. Then ask him to pretend that he is the police department's doctor and is being paid to look out for their interests and not yours. Then ask him if he would hire you under these standards knowing what he does about your condition. That will give you an idea as to where you stand.

Thanks for the great link. My neurologist and two agency clinics have already told me I should have no issues given my degree of control and history but this gave me a lot of specific information I was looking for.

Other than that I guess I can only hope that after a Doctor approval I still won't be seen as a liability by one of the hiring agencies I'll be applying to.

Thanks for all the replies.

[L-1]

Your neurologist and the clinics are not paid to look out for the police department's interests, nor are they familiar with the police department's standards or logic behind them.

Again, print the standards out, take them to your own doctor and ask him to review them. Ask him to pretend that he is the police department's doctor and is being paid to look out for their interests and not yours. Then ask him if he would hire you under these standards knowing what he does about your condition. That will give you an idea as to where you stand.

[AsRT]

Your neurologist and the clinics are not paid to look out for the police department's interests, nor are they familiar with the police department's standards or logic behind them.

Again, print the standards out, take them to your own doctor and ask him to review them. Ask him to pretend that he is the police department's doctor and is being paid to look out for their interests and not yours. Then ask him if he would hire you under these standards knowing what he does about your condition. That will give you an idea as to where you stand.

I'm absolutely going to do this when I get the chance on Tuesday. I was under the impression that the Doctor I talked to was the departments Doctor though. The Seattle Police Department, for example, gave me the number to the Doctor's office that does the medical evaluations for the department. Is that Doctor not the one being paid to look out for the interest of the department?

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding.

[stonewall50]

Bump:

I am wondering about the final question as well. I was cleared by a doctor when I did an interview last year. They sent me to a doc in the box for an medical screening. Is there another doctor I should be talking to about this? I have JME as well.


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[CCCSD]

Why on earth should an agency take the risk of hiring ANYONE with epilepsy?
Look at it from a realist view: THERE IS A RISK! Meds fail. You put yourself and everyone else at risk.

OP never enlisted as Epilepsy is an auto DQ. No waivers.

[SmallCityCop]

Necropost!

I'd be ****ed if epilepsy gets into the service but I wasn't allowed to due to severe dry skin.

[CCCSD]

Won't happen. PDQ for .Mil

[stonewall50]

Officer's with Epilepsy

Epilepsy with NO tonic Clonic seizures. Medically controlled as well?

[stonewall50]

Won't happen. PDQ for .Mil

For military, but is it permanent for and a no go for all law enforcement you think? It doesn't impact me or my daily life.


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