Police lie detector test

Question

I've applied to the New York City Police Dept and I'm a little worried about the lie detector test they give you. I've done some drugs in high school and I'm afraid they might come back to bite me in the butt. Has anyone ever passed or know anyone who's gotten into the police dept with a history of doing drugs. I mean (marijuana, cocaine, pcp, acid). It shouldn't really matter as long as I'm not doing them now right? I mean Barack Obama admits to doing coke and smoking weed and he's on the verge of being our President. I changed my life around big time since high school and that's why i'd like to become a cop.

Answer 1

you're going to answer a Q&A form, and I'll bet that the questions only refer to activities SINCE your 17th birthday.  I hope for your sake that you really HAVE turned you life around.  I'm tired of supporting burnt out druggies and deadbeats who spend their days sucking up government funds that are meant for people that REALLY need them like the truly disabled.  Not the lazy s.o.b. that just don't want to work for a living.  Good luck in the polygraph.  

Answer 2

You'll be given a drug test, probably blood or hair. As long as you're clean you'll be fine. As for the lie detector test, tell the truth, the department will appreciate that and it looks a lot better than lying.

Answer 3

If it were just pot probably wouldn't be a huge deal. Coke might be okay but pcp and acid are considered hard drugs and that look really bad. My uncle had 20 years in a dept tried to switch depts and they woudln't let him on b/c he smoked pot in the past, had to sue to get on. As long as there's no penalties for lying I'd pop a vicatin and take my chances trying to lie b/c they wwon't let you on having done so many drugs and those particular drugs.

Answer 4

It's not the fact you might have done drugs several years ago that will get you rejected, it's the fact that you either failed to divulge or you lied about drug usage.

Yes, it does matter 'if you're not doing them now'....

If your usage is over 5 years, you're probably ok... as long as you are truthful about it.

And, by the way, Obama isn't on the verge of being elected.. he just thinks he is.

Answer 5

it depends on each department.

Some departments have more than enough applicants where they can choose only candidates who do not have any type of drug history whatsoever.

Some departments need people so badly they will make exceptions.

Make sure that you disclose all of that information up front (even if it was done prior to being 17). You can still get hired if you had past drug history but you will never be hired if you lie (or omit information, which is the same thing)

Answer 6

President Obama is not applying at the NYPD nor any law enforcement agencies. Beside in the application they asked you, if you said no-you friend and that's going to be a red dot for you in any other agency you apply. THey will conduct a toxicology test to see if you been using it lately. If not you are good to go ! But if you have you better start sharpening you burger flipping skills b/c fast food restaurants are the only employers who will et you stay high all day and work. Its better for them to know a vice you have than knowing you are a liar

Answer 7

A lie detector test is there to detect lies.  So, if you failed to disclose your past drug use and you are caught lying, the detectives will wonder what else you lied about.  Most departments do not care about recreational drug use 5 - 10 years ago.  Detectives do care if you lie to them.

Answer 8

I would not worry about it. Part of being a good police officer is to be able to identify drugs and  their usage, drug busts make everybody in the legal system tons of money, do you really think their illegal because they want to protect us? The Police make money for the city.state or county so they are looking for good liars and those that can exaggerate well because that is what they will train you to do to prepare you for the court room.