Want to be a cop

[conneradams]

I'm really young. Only 17. I want to start prepping for my future. But I've always wanted to be a cop.

I've experimented with drugs but the last time I touched anything was a little over a year ago. I've smoked pot, done e, and shrooms twice. Is there no point in me trying to be come a cop?

Will it be looked past because I was (am) young and will have been sober for years once I get to the point to actually become a part of law enforcement?

Any answers would help. Thanks.

[easterbunny789]

Well let me put it this way. At your age this is what you should be doing. Find a police department with a cadet program. Go to college and pick a major that will land you a job. You dont have to have a criminal justice degree to be a cop. Some police departments do not require a college degree. Actually most of them dont require one. The mistake that I made was actually majoring in criminal justice. If I dont get hired as a cop my degree is useless. Find a back up plan and fight hard to be a cop. As for your shrooms usuage, send a unominous e-mail to the department you are interested in and ask them. If by the time you are 21 and you have not done any kind of narcotics then it may not be a problem. But just know that some agencies will automatically disqualify you for using it.

But like I said... Find a cadet program. You are almost gauranteed a job if you pass everything. If there is no cadet program ask to volunteer or find a internship. You are at the perfect age to get your name out there. Most of the applicants like myself do not have the contacts that you can get from these programs.  Good luck

[conneradams]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I will look into the cadet progam. I appreciate it.

Good luck to you too.

[DippityShurff]

But like I said... Find a cadet program. You are almost gauranteed a job if you pass everything. If there is no cadet program ask to volunteer or find a internship. You are at the perfect age to get your name out there. Most of the applicants like myself do not have the contacts that you can get from these programs.  Good luck[/quote]


Easterbunny,

that is truly excellent advice.  Though I am older and truthfully, have never even smoked marijuana, I wonder what would have happened to me had I come along later.  Our drug of choice in my day was beer.

The cadet program will absolutely get the kid's foot in the door and even BI/polygraphers will develop strong opinions based on regular contact after they observe sincerity, integrity and a strong work ethic

Have a prosperous '06

[dimas]

conner,


If there is "cadet" program, then I highly suggest that you look into it.  To be honest, you are very young and I wouldn't rush into anything at that age.

Police work is nothing like it is in the movies.  I would first suggest that you go to college and take the time to complete an education, whether it is law enforcement related or not does not really matter, but at least you will have something to fall back on just in case you find out that LE was not what you though it to be.  Remember that LE applicants are a dime a dozen, but those with an education and a history of good work ethic are not and that is usually what will get you hired on.  

Either way, stay away from the drugs, follow traffic rules and good luck.

[conneradams]

Thanks. I really want to join the Coastguard and get my education that way. That would probably be smarter than joining the Cadet program, right?

[Twoblock]

Conneradams

That could be a good plan if you will dig in and forego some liberty weekends to study. You can surely get a college education while in if you apply yourself. I can tell you from experience, that it's not easy to stay in the barracks and study while experiencing a high level of testosterone.

I was born and raised on a poor land farm in Arkansas and farm work had to come before education. Therefore, I didn't finish high school in public school. I joined the Navy and finished high school plus enough studies to inter college. I finished college in 3 years. I felt this necessary because the 4 years of Navy had put me behind my age groop. The plan has served me very well.

You have received some good advice from above posters also. Get all the advice you can, study and analize it carefully then make your own decission. I'll bet a gold nugget, that I cary on my keychain, you will make the correct choice.