Careers: Police/Misdemeanors

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Expert: - 4/16/2007


Question
My husband is trying to get into the police academy.  He was told at one of the districts that he applied to that he was automatically rejected because he admitted to trying steroids in college.  The other districts he has looked into stated that you will be permanently rejected if you have conviction, pleading to or admitting to Class A misdemeanor.  is trying steriods something that they normally would reject an applicant for?  Is that considered a misdemeanor?  

Answer
Ms. fluctuates,

Thanks for the question.

I am not sure what state you live in, but possession of steroids fluctuates between felony and misdemeanor depending on what state you live in.

Some law enforcement agencies will automatically disqualify you for possession of illegal substances or admitting to using illegal substances.Each agency has a separate hiring policy and what it will or will not accept in past conduct.

So, it really depends on where you live and what agency you are applying with as to what standards are in place.

I hope this helps out.

Best wishes,

Careers: Police

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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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