Hey, my name is Andy. I am 25 years old and live in Fairfield, Ohio, which is about 20 miles north of Cincinnati. I have a BA in History, and an MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. I am currently a security officer at a local medical center, but am trying arduously to obtain a position with a law enforcement agency.
My efforts have not been met with success however. I have some baggage which has hindered me. I have a history of seizures, which got me disharged from the Army. Despite the fact I havent had an episode in over 3 years, and was never medicated for the seizures for more than a couple of weeks afterwards, most agencies I have applied with seem to be holding this against me.
I believe this is unfair for several reasons. Some of you would say that I shouldnt be in law enforcement because I could have a seizure during a vehicle pursuit or whilst drawing down on someone. It is possible, yes. However, I havent had an episode in 3 years, and my first incident wasnt until I was 20 years-old, which would indicate that the condition isnt chronic, but rather sporadic, and possibly done with. Furthermore, there are all sorts of officers on the streets now with various medical ailments, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. I am just as likely to seize during a pursuit as they are to have a stroke or heart attack. Yet, they get to stay on the streets, and I must remain to patrol the corridors of a building.
I simply find it most troubling that my education, clean criminal history, physical fitness, and other positive attributes are not being better utilized to serve the community. Yes, I have a blemish. But dont we all, in some way or another? Dont all officers have some drawback or flaw? They do if theyre human. I just fail to see why my blemish is one to get me discounted from hiring, while I see unfit people given arrest powers who end up embarrasing police agencies by engaging in corruption, crime, brutality, or some other escapade.
I would be eager to here anyone's thoughts. If you believe I am wasting my time for trying to get hired by an agency, please do not spare my feelings. Tell me like it is.
My efforts have not been met with success however. I have some baggage which has hindered me. I have a history of seizures, which got me disharged from the Army. Despite the fact I havent had an episode in over 3 years, and was never medicated for the seizures for more than a couple of weeks afterwards, most agencies I have applied with seem to be holding this against me.
I believe this is unfair for several reasons. Some of you would say that I shouldnt be in law enforcement because I could have a seizure during a vehicle pursuit or whilst drawing down on someone. It is possible, yes. However, I havent had an episode in 3 years, and my first incident wasnt until I was 20 years-old, which would indicate that the condition isnt chronic, but rather sporadic, and possibly done with. Furthermore, there are all sorts of officers on the streets now with various medical ailments, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. I am just as likely to seize during a pursuit as they are to have a stroke or heart attack. Yet, they get to stay on the streets, and I must remain to patrol the corridors of a building.
I simply find it most troubling that my education, clean criminal history, physical fitness, and other positive attributes are not being better utilized to serve the community. Yes, I have a blemish. But dont we all, in some way or another? Dont all officers have some drawback or flaw? They do if theyre human. I just fail to see why my blemish is one to get me discounted from hiring, while I see unfit people given arrest powers who end up embarrasing police agencies by engaging in corruption, crime, brutality, or some other escapade.
I would be eager to here anyone's thoughts. If you believe I am wasting my time for trying to get hired by an agency, please do not spare my feelings. Tell me like it is.
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