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Question
I heard that during the polygraph they may ask you about drugs. What if you have smoked Marijuana in the past will this bar you from being employed. They probably going to drug test by using a hair sample, if I am correct do you know how far they go back i.e. 3 months.
Kellie,
Thanks for the question.
It all depends on the agency you are applying with. Some departments are less stringent than others. Be truthful in your polygraph examination.
As a general rule of thumb, your hair grows about an inch a month. So, however long your hair is, it can measure back how far you have been engaging in drug use.
If you are serious about a career in law enforcement, STOP using illegal drugs!
Good luck!
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Answers by Expert:
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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