Can a person with a prior mental health disorder who is cured become a police officer?

Question

i was diagnosed with paronoid schizophrenia at age 19 and was put on medication and intense counciling for 3 and a half years and when things improved i was slowly taken off medication and countinued counciling.

i am now done with counciling and have had no systems for a year. i was recieving disability while on medication but i now want to go to college for law enforcement and become a police officer.

do i have a chance or would i be wasting my time?

i have heard that a large majority of police officer are one some kind of mental health medication so i was hoping that my past medical history would not be a problem as long as i can pass the pscyh evaluation given to all officer's.

Answer 1

This is a question that is best answered by your doctor.  It is my understanding that a mental health disorder is never cured, it is only under control, or in remission.  I do know that if you are already a cop and then they diagnose your condition, they do not fire you.  They put you on light duty (no contact with citizens and no gun) until your illness is under control and a doctor certifies you as fit for duty.  I would imagine that if a doctor certified you fit for duty, you could be hired.

Answer 2

By you wanting to become one shows you are not cured. Why would you want a job where people who don`t even know you will hate you because of the badge you wear.They are very much needed but I would not want to be a police officer just for that fact.

Answer 3

In most jurisdictions the history of mental illness is adequate to eliminate you from any consideration.  Contrary to popular opinion, not all jurisdictions require a psych exam.  We recently had a case here in Wisconsin where a local cop killed several people, his girlfriend among them.  The small community he served did not require a psych exam.