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Expert: - 11/8/2008


Question
Hello Chris, and thanks for taking the time to look over my questions.I want to become a police officer more than anything.It's all i think about,but i feel that my past will complicate thing.I have done drugs in my past. i havent done any drugs in like 6 years,and i have no desire to ever do them again.I was charged with assault two years ago, but was reduced to a dissorderly conduct because the other guy atacked me first.Will all of this be a problem for me when i go thru the hiring prosses? im willing to do what ever it takes to become a police officer, so any advice will greatly be appriciated. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Ryan,

Each department sets its own standards for past drug use. Rule of thumb for many is that you can not have had any drug use for 5-7 years. Some departments will not consider you if you tried or used certain drugs like LSD or Heroin.

If you have concerns about your past drug use being a disqualifier you should check with the departments recruiting or HR department. They will generally tell you if it is or not, since they do not want to waste your time and theirs if your going to be disqualified.

Your misdemeanor arrest will not DQ you you.

If your drug use was recreational (5-10 times over more than a year) and it was not "hard drugs" like I mentioned above, you should be OK. If it was more than that, call the department you are interested in applying too.

Hope that helps. Be well.. and good luck!

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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