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Careers: Police/Ability of being in the force?
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Question
Hi my name is Omar i am a 17yrs old teenager who just wants to serve in the police because the Army won't take me in because i have a disability. I was born with a elbow that does not stretch out all the way it is barely noticeable but still I don't want to lie myself into the force and the get kicked out because of a lie.
I can do most of the exercise requirements but the only thing i can't do is bench press I belive i can do the rest of the exercises according to my searching that i have been doing lately. I think its unfair for the Army or the Police to deny me after all its my own risk to fight for this country not only physically but i can also do it mentally so i hope i get an answer that I'm hopefully wanting for. I'm in ROTC, Criminal Justice club, and my rank in ROTC is a 1st Lt. I plan to attend Texas A&M or Sam Houston and study for Criminal Justice/Law enforcement.
Omar,
The reason that the military and/or the police disqualify people is not because (in your words)
"its unfair for the Army or the Police to deny me after all its my own risk to fight for this country not only physically but i can also do it mentally" but because your disability could cause others lives to be put in jeopardy or not being able to protect a member of the public while a member of the police department.
I am sorry that you have this disability but the police really have no choice when making the decisions on hiring. You might not be aware of this but the hiring rate for the position of police officer is about 1 in 100. That means that if 100 people apply only one is hired and none of the applicants necessarily has a disability. They are just not qualified for police work.
Before you waste many years in college aspiring for a position that you cannot possibly attain I would get advice from a recruiter for whatever police department that you aspire to.
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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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