I am currently a sr. in high school and I plan on going to college. I really want to work in law enforcement espicially the Chicago PD but im wondering with my prior drug use, if i should even work for a degree in LE if this won't allow me to get a job. I have used marijuana about 30 -40 times but not in the last 2 years. If i go to college and stay clean, what are my chances of this not DQ'ing me?
Chicago25,
Go to college, stay straight, get the degree area of your choice. After its done then apply to Law Enforcement. Your entitled to make mistakes as a kid ( < 18 ), but the decisions you make in college and beyond will make the difference when you apply to be an officer.
Good Luck & regards
Thanks its just that i don't want to spend a lot of money on a criminal justice degree if using drugs when i was 16 is going to stop me from getting hired.
Get a degree in something else. You will learn all you need to know about criminal justice in the academy. If later on you decide that Law Enforcement is not for you then you will always have that degree to fall back on.
Take a few criminal justice classes if you want as electives, but focus on a degree that can open more doors for you.
I agree with dimas. Not only do I regret my 10+ years in LE, I'm stuck with a CJ degree. Fortunately I have developed other skills in high demand in the private sector over the years. Others are not as fortunate and get 'trapped.'
On a side note, I also did my share of youthful experimentation, yet I have had an extremely successful career (albeit unfulfilling) thanks to the fact I live in a non-polygraph state.
Get an MBA, and minor in Chinese...trust me it's the future :-/