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Question
Dear Jack,
I just got out of the military with 5 years honorable service and 2 deployments. I'm trying to get in with a police department in New York. I've passed the exam and am filling out a backgrounds investigation packet. I have a Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor charge in Oct. 1999. I was 19 years old in college at the time myself. Would this bar me from employment in your experience? I also smoked marijuana twice in 1999. I just wonder if this combination will count me out. I just got out of the Army Jan. 23rd and I need to get my life on track, so I can't waste my time if no one is going to hire me. Please give me the honest truth here.
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
There is no way that I can give you a "yes" or "no" answer. There are thousands of police departments in this country from the largest with tens of thousands of officers to three man departments in rural areas. NONE have the same hiring standards. What might be true for department #A might not be true for department #B.
The best I can do is give you an estimation about what would happen on MY department. This does not apply to any OTHER department so please do not think that I disappointed you sometime in the future.
Your alcohol charge would not be an automatic disqualifer meaning that it would not immediately eliminate you from consideration. Your marijuana involvement would not be an automatic disqualifer. However the two combined would not help you but they might not hurt you.
In no way am I discouraging you from seeking employment in law enforcement.
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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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