Careers: Police/Police

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Expert: - 5/14/2008


Question
Hey Jack, its me again, I did allot of research on the police force, but I still don't know about the medicine thing? can I be on an anxiety pill in the police or SWAT? I mean in your department??? not nationally cause I know its different.

Answer
Clay,

   Let me emphasize that there are no national hiring standards for police officers in this country.  Every single one has different standards and then when you get down the individualized units it gets more murky because of the tasks performed.

  In your scenario (a person on anxiety medication on the SWAT team) again would depend on the person, his background, what his doctor had to say about it, whether the county doctor felt that he could perform the tasks without interference, and so on.  What would probably happen is the the officer's doctor would talk to the doctor doing the physical exam and reach a decision.  But that is assuming that the person gets hired in the first place if he has a history of anxiety related illness.

  Sorry but that is the best I can do.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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