Expert: Jack Toomey - 11/1/2007

Question
Ok, I am 25 years old.  I just passed my GED test yesterday and I'm looking for a career to start college on, mostly looking into being a detective.  The only problem is I have done drugs in the past (LSD & ecstasy). I know, not good! I don't do either anymore, I really want to better myself because I have 3 young children.    Anyway I am aware that drug testing and lie detector tests that may be necessary to actually get a job when I'm finished with school.  I don't plan on lying about the drug use but, I was wondering if the fact that I've done it in the past will greatly reduce my chances of getting a job?  Even if they gave me a drug test everyday and a lie detector test to ask me if I would ever do drugs again.  I know i would pass because I have really put that stage of being that immature behind me.

Answer
Johanna,

   First of all I am wondering if you are aware that nobody goes straight from school to being a detective.  If you are actually hired by a police department and graduate from the academy you will spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer because you would need to learn the skills necessary to become a detective.  There are no colleges where you learn how to be a detective.  All of that is learned on the street in "hands on" situations".  I am not suggesting that your children would be a hindrance to your police aspirations but are you aware that you most likely will be working shift work meaning that sometimes you will work in the morning and the next week at night?

  Your prior drug usage certainly is not going to help you.  In fact the drugs that you have used might be an automatic disqualifier with some departments.  Not only will you have a polygraph and interview but there will be an extensive background check where many of the people that you know will be interviewed.  In fact people that you forgot you knew will be interviewed.

  I would suggest that before you spend a huge amount of money and get your hopes up that you visit whatever police departments that you seem to be attracted to and meet with the detectives and recruiters and find out what drugs are automatic disqualifiers.