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Careers: Police/Odds of Being Hired after General Discharge from Army
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Question
My son received a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Army for a positive drug test after serving 1.5 yrs in the Infantry. He made the biggest mistake of his life, and he knows it. He wants nothing more than to be given a second chance to serve his country. What are the chances he would ever be hired as a police officer? Is this discharge a black mark forever on any town, state or federal career? Thanks in advance for your honest feedback.
Adrienne,
Thanks for the question.
It probably will not be a black mark forever, but if it is a fairly recent issue that could pose some problems.
Any kind of drug history, no matter how small, is looked at seriously, and is not taken lightly.
I never say never, but to be completely honest, your son has a long uphill climb to make.
Good luck and best wishes!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks again. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. Sometimes you just don't know who to turn to for this type of advice. I will pass this along to my son. Take good care. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
William Payne
Expertise
South Carolina general law enforcement career information. South Carolina Criminal & Traffic Laws. Field Training Manager, Court Systems, Police Recruiting & Hiring, Personnel/Employee Evaluations, Non-Lethal Weapons & Use of Force.
Experience
Retired after 24-1/2 years experience as a Municipal Police Officer. 19 years as a Sergeant. I guest instructed at the State of South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. I am a Community Policing Instructor, Field Training Officer, Instructor-Trainer in the Monadnock Expandable/PR-24 Batons, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Law Enforcement Driving Instructor, O.C. Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, and liaison for State Accreditation Standards. I also serve as an Adjunct Instructor for Park University, where I teach in the Criminal Justice Administration Degree Program.I am currently Director of Security for a major hospital system in South Carolina.
Organizations
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer's Association.
Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Park University.
Master of Arts Degree in Management, Webster University.
Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, Webster University.
Datamaster Operator, Monadnock PR-24/M.E.B. Instructor-Trainer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Field Training Manager, Certified Basic Investigator, Certified in Homicide Investigations.
Awards and Honors
Beaufort County, South Carolina, Police Officer of the Year, 1990.
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