Careers: Police/illegal drugs

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Expert: - 8/4/2011


Question
Sir,
I am in the middle of the application stage for a self sponsored police academy. In the question packet it asks if “you have ever used illegal drugs before”. I am a 44 year old Army combat Vet, I am a model citizen; clean driving record, clean criminal record, great credit history, just perfect everything. I had a 7 panel drug test that was all negative of course. But about 23 years ago I snorted cocaine several times (young and dumb) and never touched illegal drugs since. I would never lie about it on paper or on a lie detector test. My question is do you think this old issue will disqualify me? And if they say it does can I do anything about their decision? Thank You for your time.

Answer
Good Morning Jeff,

I think you answered your own question. You say "I would never lie about it on paper or on a lie detector test" and that is the right answer. I can tell you now that very few agencies will wash out or experimental drug use 23 years ago, as long as it is not a pattern shows addiction or other psychological issues, which years does not, so go ahead and listed and I don't think it will be a problem for you. It just depends on what your definition of "several times" means.

I think you will be okay.

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

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!!

Experience

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.

Publications
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..

Education/Credentials
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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