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Careers: Police/Deputy Sheriff Trainee Position

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Expert: - 2/5/2009


Question
My husband applied to be a Deputy Sheriff Trainee in our local county in California and was indefinitely denied because of 1 time use of injectable steroids about 10 years ago.  How do we find out what agencies do/don't have a problem with that.  He is a great guy and has a pretty clean past.  He is really eager to get into Law Enforcement, but is bummed at this road block.

Thanks!

Answer
Amber,

There are over a thousand police departments in this country.  Every single one has its own hiring standards.  They are not published, they are not known to the public, and are not shared with other departments.  

So having said that your husband is faced with going from department to department and applying.  But keep this in mind.  He is going to be asked if he had ever been turned down for employment with a law enforcement agency everytime he applies.

Careers: Police

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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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