Not sure if i can become a police officer - Law Enforcement Local and International Law Enforcement Community

**tony8814** · 04-20-2009

Hello, I always wanted to become a police officer, I know this is what i want to do. Except I think i may not be able to, do to my record and drug use. Here it is in a nut shell, I turned 18 in june of 1996 a week after my birthday I had gotten into some trouble, i did not do any time but was put on 2 year probation with a fine. This was my first time in trouble, at that time i was not thinking about years to come. I have not looked at my record since 1996 and do not know what is on it. I am going to go to city hall or a local police department for them to run my name and see.. I had gotten into trouble for a quarter stick of dynamite doing damage to a car intentionally due to my friends car being messed up first. Since then i have had nothing else on my record except maybe a few tickets at that.

I was hoping to get it expunged or lower the charge incase it is a felony to a misdermeanor and maybe have a shot then. other then that i am worried about the drugs since i have used weed, coke and acid before. i have not done acid in 5-10 years and coke 1-3 years and for weed i smoked from 96- this past end of the year...

Doubt i even have a shot right?

**GrahamX05** · 04-20-2009

No chance at all! Your coke and acid are automatic DQ in EVERY department in America.

**Swattie** · 04-21-2009

I agree with Graham. Not to mention I am shocked you didn't get Federally charged for the dynamite incident.

**DoubleTap** · 04-24-2009

No chance your past drug use will DQ you at every department. Let alone the stick of dinamite charge that was probablly a felony!

**bsochris** · 12-24-2009

i agree with the other guys, not knowing anything besides the info you provided ill assume the dynamite got you a felony which is a definite no and the smoking weed up until recently would almost certainly be a no. I will say based on my own experience and some of my coworkers that past drug use or maybe a small blemish on your record does not automatically mean you wont be hired. What ive gathered is that it comes down to honesty, if you have used drugs they want to know if you are going to lie about it or man up and admit it, and if you have ever had any criminal charges they will find out anyway. From what i was told at my polygraph test, things you have done in the past will not automatically disqualify you, they just want to see if you have any integrity. But like i said, if you have been using drugs up until recently i would hope they wouldnt hire you, and you probably dont need to be in law enforcement anyway.

**DoubleTap** · 12-24-2009

Also, you say you have "always wanted to be a police officer"...your actions do not speak towards that goal. If you knew you wanted to be a police officer you wouldn't have done drugs.