NOOB, with a newbie question

Howdy from Texas!:yo: 1st post, so I hope everyone treats the newbie with the utmost delicacy and care.:baby:

I had hopes to join the military after high school, but I was not able to do so because of some difficult situations with my family. And now that I am a young married man(24 yrs) my wife and I have decided that the military would not be a good option for me. I am planning on applying for my local PD probably in April. I am very confident in my ability (hopefully not too overconfident) to handle anything that the academy or daily police work can throw at me. I have wanted to become an officer ever since I was very young.

However, I have some concerns that they might not accept me. When I was younger I was treated for ADD. I took redalen for a couple of years in school, and recently have been taking something to treat ADD in adults.

My major concern is that when they look at my medical history it will really looked bad to whoever is making a decision of who to accept.

Is this something I should worry about?

Or is this something that I shouldn't worry about and tell why give them a reason to not accept me?


Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to go with Welcome to the group!

I would not worry about it too much. I don't see it as being a big issue, just disclose it on your background. However I would expect them to question you on it. Do you believe that it would effect your ability to work?

Its up to the department though.

Welcome and that is something that if you are honest about then if it is under control then you may have a shot.

Hello and welcome!

I don't think I'm going have any problem with doing the work for keeping up in the academy. I am a diligent and driven person and it hasn't affected any other job that had. the effects of my ADD have most noticeable in my personal life. Particularly in my marriage. (Don't get me wrong I have a wonderful marriage.) The medication I'm currently on is very effective at treating ADD

The others have posted excellent responses, so I won't repeat.

However please do check out our FAQ's and post an introduction in the introduction thread.


Otherwise, welcome to LEF

That's really a departmental based issue. Some may have a problem with it, some may not.

I can't imagine it would bar you from law enforcement though, just be sure to be honest and disclose the information. Lying or concealing the truth is a guarentee not to get hired everywhere.


Welcome to LEF.

I will say that I have ADD and so do most cops, you shouldnt have a problem with it. The one concern of the dept is what medication you are on now.

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Originally Posted by BEK

I will say that I have ADD and so do most cops, you shouldnt have a problem with it. The one concern of the dept is what medication you are on now.

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http://atdpweb.berkeley.edu/brokenlogic/images/orly.jpg

There *are* a lot of police officers with ADD.

I know two personally, and one I think is but not diagnosed.

I'm pretty sure I have OCD, if that matters at all.

I can NOT walk away from my house without checking both exterior doors more than once to make sure they're locked.

I normally walk out of the house, lock and check the front door, walk to the back, check that door, walk to the front, check that door, and then I'll normally leave. Sometimes I'll hit that back door once more.

Also, I stop home normally once or twice when I'm working to check them and make sure they're locked.....

No idea why. Oh well. It's not a burden on my life. Yet.

We all have issues, or this job would not appeal. :D

I dont know,he asks a question,and than goes 3 days 3 posts???? recheck the meds dude.:noidea:

I have ADD and OOOHHHH look a butterfly. Darn what was I saying again????? Oh yeah, I have ADD.

It's been covered...

Each department will make it's own decision on something like ADD. The thing that WILL kill your chances is trying to hide it or lie about it. Even if they didn't discover you lied before you got hired -- you'd have to work the rest of your career in fear that it would come out. Not worth it. Disclose it, disclose the meds, and they'll probably let a doctor or psychologist make the decision.

Can you go off the meds and be functional? What'd happen if you missed doses because you got held over at work? Those are probably going to be major areas of concern...

Seriously though, I have ADD and since I am subject to random drug screenings I was honest and up front with my employer. Jks brought up some very good points.

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Originally Posted by maclean

There *are* a lot of police officers with ADD.

I know two personally, and one I think is but not diagnosed.

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YA RLY! I work with one guy who is a shit magnet, and he pops his pill(s) every day right after roll call- great way to start the day! :D

I think you will fit right in with the rest of the ADD people on many polce departments, hell have the people in my department I think have adult ADD, welcome aboard

Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies. I'm looking for to applying at my local PD in a few months. If they don't accept me for whatever reason I will go ahead and apply at some a couple of other departments in the area to a least get my foot in the door.