What is generally a disqualifying factor for employment as a police officer?
Asked by: Dr. Toy Heaney IV | Last update: November 15, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (72 votes)
Criminal Activity An applicant's criminal record, including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, 'Alford' pleas, and non-conviction information will be thoroughly assessed and may be grounds for disqualification.
What is the main reason police officer job applicants are rejected?
Addictive behavior that could reflect poorly on the Police Department or illustrate bad judgment on the part of the applicant. For example: drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, gambling. Legal inability to own or possess a firearm, (for police officer candidates). Illegal drugs.
What is the most common reason for disqualifying police candidates?
The most common reasons for disqualifying police candidates are: dishonesty, psychological instability, criminal history, and physical or medical unfitness. When police departments are screening candidates for employment, they often look for various disqualifying factors that could prevent a candidate from being hired.
What medical conditions disqualify you from being a police officer?
Q: What medical problems would prevent me from becoming a police officer? A: A recent seizure, or a severe heart or lung condition may prevent you from becoming a police officer. The majority of typical applicants meet the medical requirements.
What disqualifies you from a police polygraph?
For instance, confessing to tampering with evidence or accepting bribes are clear disqualifiers. Other major disqualifiers include lying about one's background, falsifying qualifications, or attempting to deceive during the polygraph test.
Disqualified Factor For Police Candidates
What are the automatic disqualifications for police officers?
In most forces, felony convictions, records of domestic violence, and serious misdemeanors can keep a person from becoming a police officer. Murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, and other crimes are immediate disqualifications and may even reveal criminal ties.
Will bad credit disqualify me from the police?
Contrary to popular belief, having bad credit does not automatically disqualify someone from becoming a police officer.
Can you fail a police medical exam?
Depending on the medical condition a recruit is able to try enlisting at a later date. Often weight issues fit that category. However, a high A1C (diabetes) result would definitely raise a concern and disqualify you for service.
Can you be hired as a police officer with depression?
Living with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult, but many people prove capable of managing and functioning normally. If you're fortunate enough to live in a state that fosters this mindset, you should be able to be considered as a candidate just like anyone else.
What questions are asked during a police psychological evaluation?
Most candidates are given a questionnaire that asks about their background and personal history. The question asks about prior drug use, past employment, what the candidate considers to be their personal weaknesses and strengths and their educational background.
What do police look for in a candidate?
Before a police force or agency will hire and begin training you, you are required to give permission for that agency to perform a thorough background check. You will also be fingerprinted. They will then gather information about your personal and credit history as well as any criminal offenses on your record.
Can I be a cop with a bad driving record?
Having a poor driving record is another one of the common disqualifications for becoming a police officer. As a rule, police applicants shouldn't worry about minor infractions, but serious traffic violations will definitely count against you with many police agencies.
Do police background checks look at internet history?
Under certain circumstances, law enforcement agencies may be able to access your internet history without a warrant or court order. Generally speaking, law enforcement can access basic subscriber information from an internet service provider (ISP) without a warrant or court order.
Why is it so hard to get hired as a police officer?
For some, the image of police has taken a hit due to high-profile shootings. Others express financial concerns, while many young people have expectations that law enforcement cannot meet, such as remote work.
What disqualifies you from being a police officer in California?
Any felony convictions as a juvenile or an adult, and any misdemeanor domestic violence convictions; will automatically disqualify an applicant amongst other factors. For specifics you can contact the recruiting and backgrounds unit.
Why do people get rejected from police academy?
Some reasons for rejection include:
Conviction of involvement in any other crime, whether adult or juvenile, the nature and seriousness of which would relate to the sensitivity and exposure characterized by this job classification.
What mental conditions disqualify you from being a police officer?
Conditions such as bipolar disorder, recurring major depression, with or without psychotic features or suicidal ideation, recurring anxiety disorders, with or without panic attacks, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and most diagnoses leading to a psychiatric hospitalization require review of relevant medical records.
Can you become a police officer if you have anxiety?
If the candidate/officer individual generally scores over a 5+ demonstrates some mild level anxiety that might be impacting day to day life. However at a score of 10+ there is moderate anxiety that clearly could be impacting the life of the officer.
What are the challenges of being a police officer?
Law enforcement officers face many different dangerous and stressful situations in the line of duty. Some, such as gun violence, are obvious; others dangers (e.g., fatigue) are hidden, but common, and can greatly hinder officer performance. Officer performance is also affected by training and other factors.
Can you be a police officer with bad grades?
Having a criminal record would prevent you from becoming a police officer, but poor grades and truancy would not. You would need to be able to pass all entry requirements into training programs (which might mean courses at a community college to bring your grade point average up) as well as background and drug ...
What are the disqualifiers for police polygraph questions?
Illegal drug or medication use, including steroids. Use of alcohol. Falsification or minimization in your requested information. Arrests for anything other than minor traffic violations.
Is the police physical test hard?
The police Physical Ability Test is a demanding, high-intensity fitness assessment for which you should prepare for. Without proper training and commitment your chances of joining law enforcement will be highly compromised.
What is an unacceptable credit score?
A bad credit score is considered to be a FICO credit score below 580 and a VantageScore lower than 601. If your credit isn't where you would like it to be, remember that a bad credit score doesn't have to weigh you down.
What disqualifies you from becoming a police officer in Florida?
Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.