Expert: Jason Grabill - 3/18/2004

Question
Dear Sir or Ma'am,

I am interested in becoming a police officer but I have a few questions. I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, as I know you must be busy. So, here are my questions:

I did use some drugs when I was younger but I have not touched them in years. What drugs would hinder me from joining? are their specific ones that will stop me?

I also have a class B misdemeanor for a bad check that was not my really my fault and a class C misdemeanor for an MIP of alcohol when I was 18. Will these stop me?

I have about 24 hours of college.Is that eneugh education or do I need to go to some kind of academy?

Is their an academy I need to attend? if so, where and when?

Are any academies better than the others in Texas?

Also, what are the weight and body fat requirements?

What steps do I need to go through?

If I cannot get in with your department, is there a department that will accept me?

Also, what is asked on the polygraph test?

So, knowing all that, can I get in? I want to help people like me, I have turned my life 100% around. Thanks a ton for your time.

Interested,
T.

Answer
Tuck:

  First off, I assume you are in Texas.  My responses will be based on what I know about Maryland, and "generally", not specific to Texas.  With that understood....I'll go question by question....

did use some drugs when I was younger but I have not touched them in years. What drugs would hinder me from joining? are their specific ones that will stop me?


This will depend on several things.  Maryland has a requirement that you not have used (lifetime) weed more than 20 times.  LSD, Heroin, Cocaine, & Crack are automatic disqualifiers (one use) in Maryland, however, I do not know what the rules are in Texas.  


I also have a class B misdemeanor for a bad check that was not my really my fault and a class C misdemeanor for an MIP of alcohol when I was 18. Will these stop me?

The Alcohol violation is no big deal.  The bad check, it will depend on how long ago it was, and whether or not you've taken care of it or not (I assume you have).  Neither will stop you, but you should expect to have to explain them, in great detail, multiple times.

I have about 24 hours of college.Is that eneugh education or do I need to go to some kind of academy?

This is plenty of education for most departments.  I only have a High School Diploma.  Of course, if you have the degree, you are better off, (and some departments won't hire you unless you have so many credit hours) but your hours are no problem.

Is their an academy I need to attend? if so, where and when?

Every agency in every state has an academy.  They vary in length, in Maryland it is 24 weeks long.  Maryland has several academies scattered throughout the state, they start classes when there is a need.  Some academies in Maryland let you pay your way through the academy without actually belonging to an agency.

Are any academies better than the others in Texas?
Not sure on that one.

Also, what are the weight and body fat requirements?
These are agency dependent.  Basically, if you can pass a departments physical requirements, (various PT tests), they don't care about that.



What steps do I need to go through?
Fill out an application, do an oral interview, medical, psychological test, polygraph (in Maryland), Physical fitness, background check.

If I cannot get in with your department, is there a department that will accept me?

Depends on your qualifications.  Since we are in Maryland, you would have to come here for the testing, as well as the interviews, etc.  We are, or soon will be, hiring.

Also, what is asked on the polygraph test?
Everything that you have ever done, including drug use, theft, general trustworthiness.  It's not that bad, but if you fail, that is the end of the process.  Takes about 2 hours to do.


So, knowing all that, can I get in?

I'd say you stand a decent shot.  My only suggestion is to be totally honest, since if you leave something out or try to hide something, and the background investigator finds it, that will usually disqualify you from that department.

Good luck!

Jason