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Careers: Police/employment troubles.. Police Officer
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Question
First, I would like to thank you for your time in answering my question, it is much appreciated. I have a four year degree in Law Enforcement and some experience at a few police departments. I am young, able bodied and able minded. Since I have graduated in may of 2008 I have had no luck finding a job. It is very disappointing and disheartening. There is nothing more I want than to be a police officer, however, when I was in high school, before 2002, I had tried a few different hard drugs,once,including LSD, which seems to be the big ugly axe. This has been a stigma for me and haven't been able to get past it. My record is clean and the drug use is my only downfall.
This is very frustrating for someone who would make an excellent police officer if given the opportunity. For the police officers who know me believe I would make a terrific officer, I've been told so, however, they don't know about my skeletons. Is there anything I can do besides KEEP TRYING? Are there certain departments that you know are lenient or forgiving after a certain time?
John,
I don't know what to tell you besides keep trying. There are literrally thousands of departments from the smallest three man departments to the largest.
I also hate to tell you this but on MY department, and it sounds like that you have already experienced this, use of LSD would be an automatic disqualifer for employment. There is not much you can do about that.
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Answers by Expert:
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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