Expert: Jason Grabill - 9/27/2009

Question
hello i just took the test for baltimore md police.. i pasted the test then they said i cannot take the test anymore because i guessed to many times for drug usage. im 32 years old  and in the medical field where i always get tested. i was around a bad crowd between the end of 98 to 99, tried it like once in 2001 and once in 04 NEVER again. what can i do. i want to be an officer sooo bad. and im not getting any younger. and in my field i have seen everything, so i know i could do it. please tell what i can do. i wrote the mayor over this.

Answer
Aisha:


 You 'guessed too many times' for drug useage?  Meaning you likely were not sure and "guessed" on the higher end of how many times you used drugs, is what I'm understanding here?

 Bottom line is, Baltimore City Police, just like every other Maryland agency, have to follow guidelines as set down by the Maryland Police Training Commission (MPTC), and they have a set number of 'times' you could have used illegal drugs, in your lifetime, that is a 'cutoff' for people wanting to be Police officers.  Basically, only experimentation is allowed, anything over that is considered being a 'user', and that violates what's called the 'moral turpitude' clause.

 There are no waivers granted for this due to liability.  These rules are set down by the MPTC based on guidance from the legislature of Maryland.  While agencies have some latitude in setting standards, most of them do not deviate from what MPTC has set down, because it makes them more liable for lawsuits.

 The other reason you were likely rejected is that you did CDS for a year, stopped, did it again several years later, stopped, then did it again 3 years later....That, to a background investigator, shows a pattern of use in adult life that goes beyond 'experimenting' and is grounds for disqualification, based on those MPTC guidelines.  

 I'll be curious what the response from the Mayor's office will be.  Maybe they can help, but I wouldn't count on it, truth be told.