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Careers: Police/Diabetes and Law Enforcement
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Question
I'm 18 and I'm currently a Criminal Justice major in College. My concern is that I have type 1 diabetes, but I'm pretty fit. Would my diabetes disqualify me from becoming a police officer? If it helps, I live in Maryland.
Its hard to say. When I did background investigations it was always after the candidates had passed their physicals so I would never know who had been disqualified. I have never known an officer with diabetes although there must have been some who were diagnosed somewhere along the line.
You have three more years before you are eligible to apply so use those three years to talk to someone in authority at the department that you are looking at and then talk to your doctor about getting some documentation from him about your fitness to become a police officer.
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Answers by Expert:
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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