Gambling when your a cop?

Question

OK I'm a criminal justice major hoping to become a cop. I've have a question concerning gambling and whether or not it can affect getting hired.

I play poker (Texas Holdem) pretty frequently, and occasionally play tournaments with cash prizes. This could be considered gambling, could it hurt my chances of getting hired as a cop? I don't have a gambling problem, in fact I mostly only play for the fun of it, but I do make money from it too.

Once I'm hired as a cop, can I still play these money tournaments in my free time?

Answer 1

as long as the department you are applying for does not view it as you having a gambling problem.  and when you are off duty you can gamble if you want to.  just dont let it become an addiction or it could get you into some trouble.  when you are going through the back ground process they agency you applied for will also run your credit.  sometimes you cant get hired based on that alone if it is bad.  shows that you are not a responsible person.

Answer 2

It's not against the law to gamble. It's not against the law to drink and drive. It is against the law to drink and drive over a certain level. If you say you don't have a problem and truly believe it I don't see why you should have to change your hobbies to suit your career.

Answer 3

As long as your gambling is not illegal in your state, that you are not associating with "undesirables" as a result and that it is not negatively impacting your finances it will not be an issue.