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Careers: Police/Disclosing Learning Disability

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Expert: - 1/31/2010


Question
QUESTION: I can't believe I found this wonderful web site with your help available!  Thank you so much for your service.

A friend's son was recently hired as a sheriff's deputy.  He is now on Administrative Leave for not disclosing medical information prior to being hired.  He has a learning disability, Dyslexia, which was discovered when he was 5 years old.  He had been on Ritalin years ago, but is now not taking the drug.  I believe that he was not required to disclose the Dyslexia, as he did not believe it would impair his performance.  Would this be correct?

ANSWER: Hi Nancy,

If he still has Dyslexia, which I believe cannot go away, then yes he would have to disclose it. Any type of medical or mental issue that can or may affect his ability to perform any task as police officer must be disclosed at time of application. Learning disabilities included.

Now with that said, if he is performing well and has no issues that are showing on the job, then I would not think it would be a problem after it is found he no longer takes any medication for it. This is an issue that is completly up to the department.

I hope it all works out well for him. Be well and stay safe.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do have a couple of follow up questions.  One, there is a difference of opinion as to whether Dyslexia is a medical or mental issue.  It depends what you read and the source.  The Learning Disability Association says it is a disability - not a medical issue.  So who rules?  Two, I don't know if he is on medication.  But, if he were, would that be an issue?  Is there some rule that would prevent him from being on medication for it?

Answer
Hi Nancy,

While I agree with you that people have differing opinions, its the departments one that counts in this instance. Also if he is or is not taking meds for it can show that it is under control without it, which might look better for him.

There is no rule preventing anyone with Dyslexia from being a police officer, what I think the issue is in this case is the failure to disclose the information requested. Many agencies will not have a problem with it once they determine there was no intent involved. If they feel he intentionally with-held this information then he will be less likely to come out of this well.

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Chris Wagoner

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

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I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

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I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

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I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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