Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/8/2007

Question
OLD QUESTION.....
Question
I'm a junior in college and am getting ready to start looking for police jobs after graduation.  I get good grades, have a good reputation, am in good shape, and have a good personal history, except for one thing.  About 5 years ago in high school I experimented with an illegal drug other than marijuana which I know now I really shouldn't have done.  I hate that I made the decision, but I can't really do anything about it now.  I've been dying to find out if it is drastically going to hurt my chances getting a job as a police officer.
         Thanks for your time,
                 Jake.


OLD ANSWER...
Answer
Jake:

 It will depend on exactly WHAT the drug is, and how many times you did it.  Some drugs will stop you from ever becoming a police officer in some states.  Frequency of use is also an issue.  Most of the 'hard' drugs (cocaine, Meth, LSD) are automatic disqualifiers for many agencies, no matter how good your current record is or all the good things you've done since then.

 Will it 'drastically' hurt your chances?  I'd say it makes things more difficult;  the college degree will help and give you a certain 'leg up', but it will be agency, and state, dependant on if you are DQ'd or not.

Jason


NEW QUESTION...

It was mushrooms only one time when I was 15 and marijuana either 4 or 5 times when I was 15-16.  I was hoping with the new info you could determine how bad it's looking for me... (I haven't done a single thing wrong since I was 16, I hope that makes the situation a little better)

thanks again,
Jake

Answer
Jake:

  It does make the situation a bit better, but the mushrooms may be a show stopper;  it will depend on the rules for drug useage set down by the agency and the state.  The marijuana isn't that bad, you should be ok with that.

 Living a 'clean' life since 16 is good, but sometimes the CDS use if it's hard stuff, will put an end to any law enforcement career hopes no matter how long ago it was.  Check with the agency you are applying with, or wanting to apply with, or the state you live in.

Best regards,

Jason