Questions regarding my past...

[SGT RYGUY]

To any LEO's out there,

I was wondering if I could get some advice from some of you about some of my past issues and their effect on my potential LE career. Here's my info...

I'm 26, and will have my BA at the end of this semester (Fall 05). I have been in the Air Force for about 7 years, seeing combat in both Afghanistan/Iraq. With that said, on to the issues...

1. My senior year in high school (1997), I was given 1 pill of ecstasy at a party, and took it. No drug usage at all since then-the effect of taking this drug scared me so much.
2. In Oct/Nov of 1999, I received 2 speeding tickets, both for speeding over 100mph. I know...stupid, very stupid. I was let go both times with tickets (not arrested/car not towed). I payed the fines. Because of the points both these tickets incurred (4 points), my driver's license was suspended for 6 months. FYI: Tickets were on open highway...not inner city...not making light of this...just thought you may want to know where I was at the time.

These things happened at a very young age (18/19), and I'm hoping I can still pursue a LEO career, since I've since straightened out my priorities, and am now a much more mature, responsible person than I was 6 or 7 years ago.

Also, in addition to the above, will me putting myself through an academy increase my chances of getting into LE with the above in mind?

Thank you all for reading and for any advice you can give me.

Respectfully,

Ryan

[sheriff2004]

sgt ryguy

The ecstasy might give you a problem. I know in Ny it's considered a drug along the lines of coke and LSD, which for most agencies is a DQ. However, if you explain the situation, and show no other useage since, you might have a chance. The speeding tickets also might give you an issue. One ticket for excessive speeds over 100mph is one thing, but 2 shows you disrespect for the law and the consequences. I would say give it a shot, they are always in favor of military, but a liability they are not in favor for. Since your driving a patrol car, your driving record is important.......it shows you know how to handle a car if ever in a chase...lol

[SGT RYGUY]

How about academy?

Thank you sheriff2004!

I understand that I will have an uphill battle battle if I want to make this work, which is realistic on one hand, frustrating on the other . I appreciate your advice, though. Can you tell me if going to the academy will help my situation, or be a waste of time/money?

Respectfully,

Ryan

[CarCop]

Sheriff is dead on. If you have a good clean military record, that will certainly help a great deal. Not all is lost but it will be a hurdle to overcome. Lets just say you do sh*thot on the tests, you WOW them on the physical, do great on the psyche and ace the med. Now your next two biggest hurdle are the background investigator and the oral interview board. Both of them are going to know about your past and both WILL hold it against you. That will be YOUR opportunity to clarify any and all hesitations they may have about you. You do good there and you may have a good shot.

As for putting yourself through an academy. Ask yourself who you want to work for. If your looking to departments like LAPD and CHP, as many others, they will require you to go through THEIR academy. Having put yourself through will not help you there (on a personal level maybe). If your looking to a smaller department, it will help a great deal, as many small departments, would rather NOT spend their money on getting you POST certified. Look into the departments your interested in and you'll get a better feel for who's looking for what. If they require you attend THEIR academy,and that's who you want to work for, don't waste your money.

[SGT RYGUY]

CarCop,

Thank you for the information you provided. I appreciate the insight, and thanks for the tips about the academy. What do you think about this scenario...the places I'm looking to apply are accepting apps from either Entry level applicants, or Academy trained applicants. If I put myself through the academy, and with what my past has in it, will that put me "ahead" of where I would be in the application process if I wasn't academy trained? Do they really differentiate between the two, or look more highly upon one or the other? Of course, I'm just looking to apply with the MOST chances of getting hired, and am willing to do just about anything to make this happen i.e. academy, volunteering, etc. Thanks for your help in this matter!!!

Respectfully,

Ryan