Question by Jennifer B: Can you become a police officer with a theft midemeanor in your past?
My husband has a misdemeanor for theft on his record. He completed his sentence (18 months in a life rehab) with flying colors. As a teenager he did meth and has a few other convictions. He was never convicted with drug charges though. He has been clean for almost 3 years and is definately on the straight and narrow. He really wants to become a cop, is this possible?
Best answer:
Answer by Jesus Hussein Christ
He needs to be clean for at least 10 years first.
What do you think? Answer below!
nope even if you have a speeding ticket most law enforcement angencies won’t allow you to even sign on….my brother has a speeding ticket and the LAPD(LosAngelesPoliceDepartment) threw out his application
The drug use is to recent. And they will either do a polygraph, or a voice stress analyzer, 10 years is for federal law enforcement, your local PD may be different. Around here it is 7 years, so you need to check. But there can be no history whatsoever of use of hallucinogens, like shrooms or LSD, MDMA, X etc. So yeah he had better look at just getting into a security job staying clean, and then apply. I would suggest a NA class and take some criminal justice courses as well. This will all help them to overlook his past indiscretions after some time.
The theft won’t preclude him but the meth use will. I’m sorry but he can’t be a police officer.
From what you wrote, it sounds as though he would not qualify. Standards vary depending on the department. Below is an example of one department’s policy on past drug use.
Prior to appointment, or attending an academy, a person shall meet the following minimum qualifications.
The persons shall NOT have:
Used marijuana within the past three (3) years.
Used marijuana other than for experimentation.
Sold, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana for sale.
Used marijuana while employed or appointed as a Peace Officer
The person shall NOT have:
Used dangerous drugs or narcotics within the past seven (7) years.
Used dangerous drugs or narcotics other than for experimentation.
Sold, produced, or transported for sale, any dangerous drugs or narcotics.
Unlawfully used dangerous drugs or narcotics while employed or appointed as a Peace Officer.
The use of an illegal drug is presumed to be greater than experimentation if:
The use of marijuana exceed twenty (20) times total, or exceeds five (5) times since the age of 21 years.
The use of dangerous drugs or narcotics exceeds five (5) times total, or exceeds one (1) time since the age of 21 years.
Any drug use outside of these requirements will result in the candidate being eliminated from the testing process once in the polygraph phase. If this is the case, please reconsider testing for this position; these standards are unwavering.