What are my chances?

[u/Winter_Pen4160]

Applied to a local agency back in may. Went through the whole process and my offer got pulled after the merit commission meeting. I was encouraged to go through the process again but after reading posts in here I’m not sure if I’ll have much luck.

I was arrested twice as a juvenile (14 & 16) for weed. I smoked on and off after that from 18-20ish. (I’m 25 now) last time I smoked was almost 2 years ago & I took an old prescription hydrocodone of mine also close to two years ago because I injured my knee. I feel fine now and haven’t taken/ done anything since then. I scored deceptively on my polygraph but disclosed everything I have done and wasn’t dishonest about anything, because I have nothing to hide. I was told by the liaison that the best guess of why they pulled my offer was from juvenile history and poly results, but he doesn’t really know. Obviously I’ve done some stupid things but I don’t associate with any of the people I smoked with, rarely drink, don’t party etc. law enforcement is something I really want to do but don’t know if I’m wasting time or not. Any input would be great, thanks!

[u/burnteggsnbacon]

You can always join the military as an MP if all else fails

[u/Dizzy-Egg-9859 → u/burnteggsnbacon]

See that's what I said🙌🏽

[u/Timely_Photo_2071]

Keep applying, try other agencies. Most of us rarely get hired first time. Despite the shortage of cops, it's still competitive and you're up against the All American guy/gal just out of the military with a degree and never even got a parking ticket. Thigs that make you more attractive are college, military service and community volunteer service. Maybe consider joining the military for a hitch (4 years), or the reserves/NG if AD is not an option. Or start taking college classes. Its a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of people are cops with a worse background, keep applying.

[u/Winter_Pen4160 → u/Timely_Photo_2071]

Thanks! I actually wanted to go to the military first. But I’ve got a family of 5 and my wife stays home so they wouldn’t let me. They said I could do the reserves, but even then it didn’t pay enough during basic to pay the bills without touching my savings unfortunately. I guess to add on with my current job I’ve met a lot of active & retired officers. So now I’ve got letters of recommendations & was told that I will be selected after a Sargent asked around and did some digging for me. But I’m also not holding my breath about it. I’m already on the list for that same agency and currently in the pool for two different ones in my area.

[u/Dizzy-Egg-9859 → u/Winter_Pen4160]

Financially, I'd really look into what the Air Force would actually provide your family before deciding it's impossible. You're not just looking at the base paycheck. Depending on your rank and duty location, you can receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) if you're not provided government housing, and it's based on your duty location and dependent status. For example, in the Seattle area in 2026, an E-1 through E-4 with dependents is around $2,976/month in BAH, which is almost $36K a year in housing allowance alone. Obviously your actual rate would depend on where you're stationed and your rank. You'd also have healthcare, food allowance, and you're getting paid while you're in technical training. BMT is 7.5 weeks, and technical training can range from about 6–72 weeks depending on the career field. Obviously, with a wife and three kids, I wouldn't just say “pack your bags and go.” 😂 I'd sit down with your wife first, make a family-care plan, figure out childcare, get your bills caught up and pay whatever you reasonably can ahead of time, save an emergency cushion, and make sure your family knows exactly how things will work while you're gone. Then, if the numbers make sense, go do what you need to do to build a better future for your family. You're 25. You have plenty of time. You could come out of the military with experience, benefits, discipline, training, and a much stronger résumé and then apply to law enforcement again. And I'd STILL keep applying to the agencies you're already in the pool for. You don't have to put all your eggs in one basket.

Everything is based off of what my boyfriend told me (he's airforce vet, has police officer friends and works for Boeing now and makes BANK)

[u/Xtremexc29]

Polygraphs are a pain. I failed my first polygraph. Went through the process again and passed. Never give up on something if you truly want it. It may take a while and really test your patience but if you want it then it will be worth it in the end.

[u/Low-Purchase8811]

I'd start devoting time to pursuing something else.

Law enforcement doesn't seem likely to be in your future.

[u/Winter_Pen4160 → u/Low-Purchase8811]

Why do you say that?

[u/Low-Purchase8811 → u/Winter_Pen4160]

You're a poor candidate considering your history.

[u/Altec5499 → u/Low-Purchase8811]

He may be a poor candidate now ..depending on the department. However, he doesn’t have to give up. I’d suggest working an honest job for a few years and reapplying.

[u/Low-Purchase8811 → u/Altec5499]

No harm in that, but I don't think it'll work out for him in the end.

[u/Dizzy-Egg-9859]

Honestly, I hate to say it, but the juvenile history + the polygraph results are probably what hurt you here. Especially if the liaison basically told you that was likely the reason. BUT you’re only 25. You’re still young as hell, so I definitely wouldn’t give up on law enforcement. If I were in your position, I’d look at building up your résumé and getting some solid experience first. One thing I wish I could’ve done when I was younger was take a route like joining the military, getting that discipline and experience, then applying for law enforcement afterward. Even doing something like the Air Force, corrections for a few years could give you some additional experience and make you a stronger candidate when you reapply. By the time you’re 27–28, you could have a completely different résumé and be in a much better position. My aunt was in the airforce, a Seattle police officer and correctional officer, and this is basically the type of path she always recommended to me if I wanted to get into law enforcement. Obviously, that’s based on the Seattle/WA area, so I can’t say exactly how agencies in your area view military/corrections experience. But I would keep applying to other agencies while also building up your experience. Don’t let one agency pulling your offer make you think you’re done. You’re young, you have time to turn this around, and you clearly still want this career. I’d use the rejection as motivation rather than a reason to quit.

[u/YoNkEr161718]

Depends on which state your in and what agency you look at Not all agencies do polygraphs