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Careers: Police/Police hiring process and use of percription drugs

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Expert: - 3/7/2010


Question
So I have been having emotional problems lately and I was considering seeing a psychaitist about this.  I believe I have anxiety and possibly depression.
This is stemming from a number of things but mainly the result of a past relationship.
I had been seeing this girl for a bit and all of the sudden she was just "busy" or thats what she told me, while I think it may have been my reluctance to escalate our relationship when I had the opportunities.
Point is I have always believed that there was more to the story than she was telling me and it is driving my crazy right now wondering about it.
I think it would beneficial for me to start taking whatever the psychaitrist would reccomend, which I assume would be an anti anxiety medication, and possibly something for depression.
I have a criminal justice degree and I was considering working for city or county police in san diego.  I'm sure that this increased anxiety would go away eventually, but I think I need something to help me through the process, but I wanted to make sure that there wouldn't be any restrictions on employment due to medications i had or am taking

Answer
Steve,

There is no way that I could possibly know whether taking any particular medication would be a disqualifier for any particular police department.

As you know there are thousands of departments in this country and each has its own hiring standards.  If we had national hiring standards I could simply point you to the site (if there was one) and that would answer your question.  But unfortunately there is no site and no national hiring standards.

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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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