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615 Questions

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

Asked by Jessica over 12 years ago

Depends on the department. Cocaine and ecstacy are serious drugs and can have serious long-term consequences on your brain. I would suggest contacting the department(s) you are insterested in applying to and speak to one of the recruiters about your situation. Any department would require a long interval (several years at least) between hiring and your last use of the drug.

864 Votes

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

Asked by In almost 12 years ago

Generally, yes. Some departments may have policies that restrict the use of discretion.

864 Votes

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

Asked by tortured wife over 12 years ago

It would appear that your husband has a serious addiction, and is not taking responsibility for his actions. Hopefully he hasn't killed or maimed anyone yet, and will not have to opportunity to do so in the future.

Ask his attorney for legal advice, not me.

863 Votes

If I used to cut myself, but was never admitted to a hospital or care unit and never took medications for it, as well as never been diagnosed with any mental illness, will that disqualify me from becoming a police officer?

Asked by Jessica over 12 years ago

Not necessarily. Psychological screenings and polygraph examinations are standard portions of the hiring process, so be honest about things and things should work out.

863 Votes

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Hello, my brother whom I live with in our dads house owes me money for helping him at work he is not willing to pay me and I have taken his computer screen he thinks its sold but its in my room can he report me for stealing and selling stolen goods?

Asked by Ashley over 12 years ago

Yes, you could be charged with theft.

If he owes you money, it is likely a civil situation, not criminal. Regardless, one wrong will not justify another.

862 Votes

What if you tell a police officer you're suicidal?

Asked by Lacie over 12 years ago

Laws in different states dictate what actions may be required of a police officer, but in general terms he or she would talk to you and try to determine if there was some way to help you. In some cases, a police officer may be required to take a suicidal person to a hospital or other medical facility if the person poses a risk to anyone.

If you or someone you know is depressed or suicidal, there are people who can help. Call 1-800-273-8255 from anywhere in the US and they can provide assistance. Alternatively anyone can go to a hospital an explain that they are having some problems and need help.

862 Votes

Who takes the call from a 911 dispatcher? How do 911 dispatchers relay info to cops? If a 911 call happens at night who is there to take it? Are off duty members of the force contacted as well?

Asked by Writer23 over 12 years ago

Many 911 centers have call takers who answer the phones. They enter information into a computer (often called a call screen because it shows information about all of the active calls for service).

A dispatcher pulls the information from the call screen and relays it to the patrol officers. This can be done via computer (many agencies use computer aided dispatching), by voice transmission on the radio, or through a combination of both.

As the call taker gets more information, the call screen is updated in real time.

Depending on the size of the agency, call takers and dispatchers may be separate positions or all of the communication staff may be cross-trained and do all of the jobs. At a small department, only one or two people may be on duty and have to do all of the call taking and dispatching. Other departments may employ dozens or even hundreds of communications employees.

Off duty officers are rarely contacted. In those cases it is typically because of manpower shortages and/or emergencies. For example, a hostage situation requires the presence of a large number of officers, so off-duty officers could be called in to assist with normal patrol calls. This tends to be uncommon at most departments.

861 Votes

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Police Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

If I used to cut myself, but was never admitted to a hospital or care unit and never took medications for it, as well as never been diagnosed with any mental illness, will that disqualify me from becoming a police officer?

Also on Jobstr...

Hello, my brother whom I live with in our dads house owes me money for helping him at work he is not willing to pay me and I have taken his computer screen he thinks its sold but its in my room can he report me for stealing and selling stolen goods?

What if you tell a police officer you're suicidal?

Who takes the call from a 911 dispatcher? How do 911 dispatchers relay info to cops? If a 911 call happens at night who is there to take it? Are off duty members of the force contacted as well?

Police Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

If I used to cut myself, but was never admitted to a hospital or care unit and never took medications for it, as well as never been diagnosed with any mental illness, will that disqualify me from becoming a police officer?

Also on Jobstr...

Hello, my brother whom I live with in our dads house owes me money for helping him at work he is not willing to pay me and I have taken his computer screen he thinks its sold but its in my room can he report me for stealing and selling stolen goods?

What if you tell a police officer you're suicidal?

Who takes the call from a 911 dispatcher? How do 911 dispatchers relay info to cops? If a 911 call happens at night who is there to take it? Are off duty members of the force contacted as well?

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