PTSD and Police

[catjudo]

I once held a civilian, administrative position within a police department and know from that experience that the background investigation for any potential police officer is extensive. I do not know what the policy is on hiring an LEO with PTSD but I do know that if you do not disclose your PTSD they will find out anyway. Among other things, our background investigations included detectives talking in person (face-to-face) with the applicant's family, friends, neighbors, past neighbors, past employers, past co-workers, etc. I think it extremely unlikely that they would not discover your PTSD. You definitely would want that information to come from you and not be uncovered by an investigator.

 

[2711]

A question for any possible LEOs in here. I'm about to be Medically Retired from the Army for my PTSD from two tours in Iraq as an 11B Machine Gunner and was wondering if that would keep me from getting a job as a Police Officer.

I would strongly advise you against becoming a police officer. If you're already suffering from PTSD, being a cop would ruin you. Police deal with mutilated bodies, horrific car crashes, shootings, stabbings, suicides, and high risk operations in their own cities, all without the support and respect from the public. Police are also scrutinized and criticized for their every action/reaction to a level unlike any other profession. I was only a soldier for 3 years, and I didn't experience the things that you experienced. But I've seen combat as a police officer, and it's up close and personal. It's also a thankless job. Hope this helps.