Expert: Jim Pastore - 8/12/2009

Question
My goal since I was a child was to become a police officer and make it to swat.  To make my chances better I joined an infantry unit in the marine corps.  After a seven month tour in Iraq I made the stupid mistake of getting too drunk one night and I ended up smoking marijuana.  

I ended up failing the piss test.  Because of that I received an other than honorable discharge. The NYPD told me they would take me in even with this.  I'm not much of a city person.  Would any other place take me or should I just stick with the NYPD. Thank you for you time.

Answer
Eliud,

   Other departments may still take you. My advise is to just be honest because they will see deception on the polygraph. NY pay's good. it's dangerous but so are many places, just on a smaller version. I'd go for it, you can always leave and go elsewhere once you get your foot in the door.

Jim