Thinking of becoming a Leo...

KRM45 · #31

carlson1 wrote:
KRM45 wrote:I know this is an old thread, but I just thought I'd let you folks know I took (and passed) my TCLEOSE test yesterday!

We graduate from the Academy next week then start the real learning process.
WELL CONGRATULATIONS! I know you are glad to get TCLEOSE over and done with. I am going to send you a copy of my DL so you will remember I am one of the ones who prayed you through and I don't want a ticket

Thank you, sir!

Cosmo 9 · #32

Well done Keith! I hope I don't see you in uniform any time soon

KRM45 · #33

Cosmo 9 wrote:Well done Keith! I hope I don't see you in uniform any time soon

Thanks! I'll try to avoid you too... At least while in uniform

KRM45 · #34

Well, I didn't make it as a police officer

Working deep nights on 12 hour shifts didn't agree with me or my family.

txinvestigator · #35

KRM45 wrote:Well, I didn't make it as a police officer

Working deep nights on 12 hour shifts didn't agree with me or my family.

Don't feel badly. LE is not for everyone; even close.

#36

KRM45 wrote:Well, I didn't make it as a police officer

Working deep nights on 12 hour shifts didn't agree with me or my family.

It should not bother you a bit. That job is for different people. I am glad you figured it out instead of allowing your self to suffer. All that means you are a better man than most. You will find what is what for you. Everyone who seeks shall find. Keep strong my friend.

KRM45 · #37

Thanks guys.

I'm glad to have had the chance to try it out. I ended up with my old job back making considerably more money, and a much more agreeable schedule.

govnor · #38

Wow! I just read this entire thread and it was a several month expedition rolled up into about ten minutes!

As for wanting to be a LEO. I also wanted to do that. I even contacted Dallas recruiting and asked some questions. For one, I know that there is a serious lie detector test. I talked to the recruiter and told him that in my youth I did cocaine a couple of times, didn't plan to lie about it and if that would keep me out. He said it would. Same reason I didn't join the military. I missed one question on the military test and they wanted me really bad, but with my former drug use, it didn't matter how smart I was...I couldn't be in the nuclear program.

I've thought about it and at 36, I make way more money than a senior cop does. I don't have to risk my life, and I'm at home every night. That still doesn't quench the urge for action. I'd love to be out there kicking some BG rear end.

I wonder if you'd consider detective work or something like that? With your degree you could probably apply for FBI, BATF or some other government agency. You might not be in the field every day, but it might satisfy your urge to do something for your fellow man.

gregthehand · #39

Have you thought about getting a reserve commision just so you can keep a badge?

KRM45 · #40

gregthehand wrote:Have you thought about getting a reserve commision just so you can keep a badge?

The thought has crossed my mind...

gregthehand · #41

I wish I had. Now if I want to I have to jump through hoops to do so.

austin · #42

govnor wrote: I talked to the recruiter and told him that in my youth I did cocaine a couple of times, didn't plan to lie about it and if that would keep me out. He said it would. Same reason I didn't join the military. I missed one question on the military test and they wanted me really bad, but with my former drug use, it didn't matter how smart I was.

Kids need to hear stories like these to keep them on the straight and narrow. I knew a lot of good soldiers who never got past Secret clearances due to stuff like this and they never got promoted past E5/O5 as a result.

Some financial and government sector jobs will also DQ on stuff like this.

govnor · #43

Kids need to hear stories like these to keep them on the straight and narrow. I knew a lot of good soldiers who never got past Secret clearances due to stuff like this and they never got promoted past E5/O5 as a result.

Some financial and government sector jobs will also DQ on stuff like this.

You are absolutely right man. When I was in my early 20's at a club partying and someone says "hey man, you want a key bump!" Did it ever cross my mind that I might want to do something in law enforcement? No. I mean, it was really stupid, period, and I'll add...the worst hangover I've ever had. I hated it. Drugs hold a lot more implications than people realize. I've never been addicted, but that doesn't matter. In fact, I tried coke twice and only once did I do enough to make me have the terrible hangover. I guess the first time I didn't take very much at all. Even though it was more than ten years ago, it's enough to keep me from being a police officer.

I was on the party scene in those days though. I've had friends die from drug overdoses. I would never think about doing anything like that now (okay, maybe some Jack Daniel's, but that's legal ).

Seriously though, I think I'd be good for law enforcement since I know the crowd, can spot a drug user or seller. I don't necessarily agree with all of the laws but would have no problem arresting someone for it. I mean, hey, you got caught... bottom line.

KBCraig · #44

govnor wrote:
Kids need to hear stories like these to keep them on the straight and narrow. I knew a lot of good soldiers who never got past Secret clearances due to stuff like this and they never got promoted past E5/O5 as a result.

Some financial and government sector jobs will also DQ on stuff like this.
You are absolutely right man. When I was in my early 20's at a club partying and someone says "hey man, you want a key bump!" Did it ever cross my mind that I might want to do something in law enforcement? No. I mean, it was really stupid, period, and I'll add...the worst hangover I've ever had. I hated it. Drugs hold a lot more implications than people realize.

Here's my story:
I applied to the FBI circa 1992. I was truthful, and received a polite letter back that I was ineligible due to my "admitted personal use of illegal drugs".

My "admitted drug use" was that on fewer than a dozen occasions, I had smoked marijuana; that I had never bought nor sold marijuana; that my only "possession" of "illegal drugs" when someone passed me a joint.

Funny thing is, the SF-85 where I disclosed that for the FBI application was copied exactly from my BOP SF-85, which was copied exactly from my U.S.Army SF-85.

So to sum up: The U.S. Army granted me a Top Secret/Nuclear Surety clearance in 1986, when I told them I had toked a few times as a high school senior and college freshman, from 1981-82.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons hired me into a Law Enforcement/Sensitive job in 1991 when I told them exactly the same thing.

My fellow DoJ component, the FBI, declared me ineligible based on exactly the same information. At the time, my TS background investigation for the Army was still current. I could handle Top Secret nuclear launch codes, but I couldn't investigate bank embezzlers.

Go figure.

govnor · #45

My fellow DoJ component, the FBI, declared me ineligible based on exactly the same information. At the time, my TS background investigation for the Army was still current. I could handle Top Secret nuclear launch codes, but I couldn't investigate bank embezzlers.

I read a news story a few months ago about the FBI having to relax their policies on weed a little bit. Most of the applicants had smoked weed a few times and it was disqualifying a lot of intelligent, highly qualified people. I think it's funny personally. I don't even like marijuana. In fact, I like beer a lot more. But the fact that a plant is illegal is just ridiculous to me.

Just goes to show the stupid policies that are in place to disqualify relevant applicants. I'm kind of PO'd when it comes to that. I think the lie detector should go back about three years. If you haven't done anything illegal in three years then that should be a reflection on your character. Not something that you did for fun when you were in college.