Would an Agency consider/hire me?

[445cat]

So first off, this is just to find out if I or anyone else with the same qualifications would be considered now or in the future.

I've been serious about getting into Law Enforcement for 5 or so years now and am almost to the point of the application process. I've com to realize at 25 that helping people was a major and enjoyable life decision I wanted to make. I'm 28 now, my wife is OK with this decision. I just wanted to know a few things. Here's my resume:

-10 years gainfully employed with part ownership at an Adhesives Company with many product inventions under my belt.
-2 Year certificates in AJ and Corrections
-2 Year AA from local JC in AJ with major studies in Geology(former interest)
-1 year from transfer for BA
-Qualified First Responder of 2 years and getting re-up'd
-Qualified to administer CPR with First responder class.
-Local Role playing guinea pig for a couple years now at the local academy and in previous instructors classes.
-One of previous instructors was the main investigator of a very high profile National news case and gave me years of invaluable teaching and curriculum.

Here's the bad:
High 600's credit score
Ticket for petite larceny at age 20 for stealing liquor from a safeway which was dropped because I completed diversion.
Some drug experimentation in early 20's: Marijuana and one psychedelic.
20 lbs overweight but I can complete POST requirements in most agencies.

Here's my questions:
Should I just wait it out, graduate with a BA then start applying?
Should I continue with the FR program and get my EMT I or II as well?
Should I bug my cousin and just get an internship with a DOJ office and wait it out till they put me in the Academy?
Is a DOJ position that desirable? He says skipping the street work is easier but I value the opportunity of working with the public.
What, if anything more should I do to bolster my resume and would I have an "edge" over any other applicants?
Should I give it up and rot the rest of my life in a comfy job with no adventure?

I know this is somewhat specific, but I do know other people have similar goals with similar curricula that would consider any advice invaluable. Thank you for the time you took to read/respond to this.

[ls2monaro]

Im pretty sure your drug history will dq you from all major law enforcement entities.... it never hurts to try though.

[PolishMike]

The problem you have now is that there are dozens of applicants for each position. A lot of those applicants don't have the "bads" you do.

[Unit74]

Shrooms or what? Most psychedelics are automatic DQ's though.

The dope is the only real hang up I see.

[mej16489]

Psychedelic use (Acid/LSD) will likely DQ you. I'm not particularly up on the subject, but I believe the overriding concern for LEOs is the potential for stress induced 'flashbacks.' I *think* that research has showed this is actually a non-issue - aka 'debunked' - but even if it has been, it might still be a rule on the books for agencies.

Even if it doesn't...there will likely be candidates without it on their background.

[Jeepergeo]

What the heck, throw your app in with the rest and see what happens.

[Equis]

I searched on Google before about this, I have had a couple speeding tickets still plaguing my driving record. I once found on a LE forum all the things agencies will DQ candidates, one was any kind of drug use conviction was one of them.

I might just post up the link, because it was a really interesting read, appearently speeding tickets mean I'm too much of a risk taker, so DQ.

[tyrist]

The only way to know is to apply but you do have a couple of major issues. Every department is slightly different with their hiring standards so just apply.

[gimmejr]

Apply LAPD, they hire all kinds.

[Unit74]

Apply LAPD, they hire all kinds.

As long as your not in one specific race group...

[fourXfour]

Every department is different. Some don't want prior drug use, others don't want DUI's.

Test at various departments and give it a try. Your larger cities and counties my be a little more forgiving than the small ones.

[M&P40FAN]

Was your usage of said psychadellic documented anywhere?

[ryang]

It is now. Plus any applicant that wants a shot will self-disclose everything they can think of so it doesn't haunt them in the poly.

[fullrearview]

Was your usage of said psychadellic documented anywhere?

It is now.

Anyways, it never hurts to try.

[Baconator]

Experimentation with drugs as an adult is much worse than as a juvenile.