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Careers: Police/What are my chances?
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Question
Hi, I just have a question concerning my chances of becoming a police officer. My concern is while I was in High School(my tenth grade year) I experimented with smoking marijuana, Which I smoked all throughout that year but quit my 11 grade year. But my senior year I messed up and tried meth one time and never did it again. After high school I got pulled over and arrested for a dui, which i was under age, but later got dismissed or pardoned or something because I chose to join the Army, and that needed to be squared away before i Joined, which i am now 3 years in and currently deployed to Iraq, and looking at 2 more years to go. That is the only thing i have done and just wanted to know what my chances are based on that?
Jeff:
While your Army service is good, my guess is you are going to have a rough time becoming a police officer due to the frequency you smoked marijuana, the meth, and the DUI. Departments are notoriously 'backward looking/zero defects' these days, and while you have doubtless become a different person than you were, police agencies usually focus on the 'bad' rather than the 'good'.
Overall, I'd say your chances are not very good. Sorry, it sux I know.
Jason
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Answers by Expert:
Jason Grabill
Expertise
General Maryland Law Enforcement, Maryland Law & Traffic Law, the Court System. How to start the process to become a Police Officer, different Police careers, the Interview process, General Police career questions
Experience
18 Years experience as a local and Federal Police officer. In addition to working "the road", I've worked as an Academy Instructor, Law Digest Compiler for Police Department, Community Policing coordinator, Department Gang officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and Advanced Accident Investigator. I've also served on the SWAT/SRT team, and currently work for the Department of Army Police (Federal Civilian) at Fort Detrick, Frederick Md, as a Sergeant. I'm Certified as a Police and Emergency Medical dispatcher through the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
Organizations
Police Marksman Association
Fraternal Order of Police
Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Prince Georges County Maryland Municipal Police Academy, Western Maryland Police Academy
Radar, Portable Breath Test, PR-24 Police Baton, ASP, Police Mountain Bike Certified. Maryland Police Training Commission Basic Instructor Certified.
CALEA Certified Field Training Officer (FTO), Advanced Criminal Investigator School, Advanced Crash Investigator School, National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Certified Emergency Police Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Telecommunications Operator.
Awards and Honors
Police Officer of the Year, Prince Georges County Municipal Police Chiefs Association (1995).
City of District Heights Police Officer of the Year, 1995.
Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, 1995 (National Association Chiefs of Police).
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