Hello –
For the last several years since graduating from college (currently 28y/o), I have gone through the ranks of coaching college baseball. I started at a small D2 school, then to a junior college, now at a mid-major D1. I hold a bachelors degree in management from a good university.
1). How do I approach becoming an officer while already holding a degree? What’s the best, most efficient, and cost-effective approach?
2). Is 28-30 years old too late to get into law enforcement?
3). I have smoked weed in the past and occasionally still do (weddings, reunions, etc.), by no means am I a pothead, but nonetheless I am not an innocent pure angel. Last I smoked was the first week in February (little over a month).
4). When I was 19 I went to a series of appointments while dealing with depression/anxiety after a bad relationship. Will this affect me? I took anti-depressants and was prescribed some anxiety meds for about 5 months in 2017.
Thanks for those that read this and please excuse my ignorance. While I’ve googled my butt off, I figured this would be a good place to get some clarity.
Comments
The weed could definitely be an issue, depending on what state you’re in. I would definitely stop now regardless.
Call a agency and speak with a recruiter.
You would have been a great candidate if you weren’t a pothead. Piss poor judgment as I’m sure your employer would not be happy if you piss hot. You’re going to have to quit and give it some time, depending on the agency but no less than a year.
1) What do you mean by this? Having a degree isn’t a bad thing. Consider applying to an agency that requires a bachelor’s, you’ve already got one and they might pay more.
2) No. Most places 45 is the cut off and many people in my academy in their 40s (lots of military). I joined at 28, I think it’s a good time. Leaves lots of room for a long career, but you have more life experience to than the 21 year old.
3) This will depend agency to agency, but certainly if you’re serious stop smoking now and make that your last time. Most agencies have a 1 year requirement but not much longer.
4) Shouldn’t be an issue, just be honest during background. Half my department is on anti anxiety meds and antidepressants.
In Florida most agencies say you could not have smoked within a year.
1.) having your degree isn’t going to make it easier or harder. More expensive or less expensive. You’ll have to go through the police academy no matter the circumstances of your schooling.
2.) absolutely not if anything I think that’s a prime time and age to join. You have life experience and that will help you on the job. People that join when they’re young can make it sure but they don’t have any life experience and it’s a harder path. You’ll be able to relate more with people and that will help.
3.) in most places having smoked weed in the past is not a huge deal. Stop smoking now. Get it out of your system completely you’ll be tested before being allowed in the academy. Once you pass that you’re good just don’t smoke anymore and if they ask about it during you getting hired or during a polygraph do not lie about it. Be honest and tell the truth. Lying will get you disqualified faster than you smoking weed in your past
4.) same thing as 3, do not lie if they ask you tell them when you were 19 you went through some stuff you were prescribed anxiety medication but that you no longer need it. My only question with this is how well do you think you currently are able to handle high stress situations. That is something you’ll have to be honest with yourself about. If you can’t handle a high stress situation, then this isn’t for you and that’s okay.
If this is something you really want to do then do it. I don’t agree with the people saying that because you have smoked weed in your past it’s a DQ I know tons of officers, Lt’s, capt,’s etc who smoked weed in their past.
Everyone was young at some point. Most important thing is if you want it to start making the moves towards it now and start making the changes you need to put yourself in a better position for it.
Well weed is legal where I am, so it’s restrictions are identical to drinking alcohol. Still can’t believe in some places weed is more vilified than alcohol.
1) what does a degree have to do with you applying?
2) no.
3) that’s an issue that you’ll likely need to wait for the time frame prescribed by the department you’re interested in to lapse before applying
4) no but it’ll likely come up and you should be honest about it
Most cost effective approach? Start in a state that sponsors the academy instead of somewhere where it’s self sponsored. Colorado, for example, (when I was looking into starting there) it was a program offered at many community colleges, but that had to be done on your own dime. Kansas (where I am currently employed) is a state sponsored academy that you do not pay out of pocket for. If your state is privatized, or you have to self-sponsor for the academy, there are grant/loan and scholarship programs for it just like any other college program, so talk with the admin at the appropriate academy about that.
As to starting at 28-30, nah. I started at 27, and we had guys in my academy class in their late 40s, even one in his early 50s. If you are physically able to do the job, I don’t think any age is too late to try.
Your biggest problem, as others have said, is the weed. Do not lie about it during your BI. It’s not as big a deal as it used to be, but it’s still going to be your biggest hurdle, and will absolutely disqualify you at a lot of agencies. However when we all had our exposure to burning Marijuana at the academy, so that we could say in court that we were exposed to the odor during training.. there was also a joke made that it’s so we don’t have to say "Well back in my college days" in court to explain how we know what burned Marijuana smells like. Some places are more forgiving, and i think it’s almost expected that you’re going to have done at least something dumb in the past, we all do.
The anxiety thing.. just know this is a high stress, high anxiety profession. Be aware of your limits, manage your issues as needed, and don’t try to hide it. LE is more than a job, were like a family, we will have your back when dealing with those issues, and your psych eval will help determine if you’re mentally fit.
1) many agencies require college, having a degree may be a requirement.
2) no
3) you may need to put some distance between the last time you smoked and your application, even in states where weed is legal, they like to see a year between your application and your last usage
4) were you involuntarily committed to a mental health unit? Same goes for depression/anxiety as marijuana, how long has it been since you were medicated or treated?
A bunch have said this already, but
1) get applications for departments, make sure you meet the requirements, go through the process. Your degree only matters if the dept require a degree or if having one gives bonus points. Wbat the degree is in doesnt matter.
2) thats a great age because you have life experience and youve had an interesting job history compared to normal. Also you may not have to work as long for a pension since many are based on age and years of service. Younger people will work significantly more years to earn the same pension that someone older geta who worked less years.
3) You need to completely stop and may need more time to pass. This entirely depends on the dept. Even in states where its legal.
4) Depends on dept. May bar you from some and not others.