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So the department Im scheduled to test with says it prefers non-tobacco users. And Im trying to quit, but the test is in a few days and I wont fully be done smoking by then and Im not gonna lie and say I dont use tobacco. I picked up smoking in the Marine Corps and anyone who has been a grunt or known a grunt knows most of us smoke about as many cigarettes as we shoot bullets in a day.

So yes, Im trying to quit, cause I know that will be the catch line in this thread, but should I bother even testing? How much do they take into consideration? I have several other PDs Im testing with also who dont have the same provisions, so I dont want to waste my time or the PDs if my chances are slim.

Thanks to all and stay safe.

Shock

bill9823 says ...

Hey Shock....... what do you want more?

Very Very Valid point and I was afriad someone would bring that up, lol.

Easily being a LEO........Well I guess there has been people who have quit harder stuff(crack, cocaine) than smoking and been sucessful at quiting.

Thanks Bro

Im slowly quiting right now, so that doesnt even apply.

I'd give it a shot anyway. If you make it to the interview and it comes up, then ust explain your case. They can't not hire you soley and simply on the basis that you smoke.
I know it's not a perfect world and that some stuff happens that shouldnt, but if they have any common sense at all they'll look at your background and go from there.

Thanks for all the replies thus far.

I start the Academy as a self sponsor August 3rd and my goal is to be done smoking by the time I start, so I dont have to worry about having urges during class and not to mention the money and health factors.

I guess the reason why Im reluctant is because there is roughly 300 people testing, which is already a steep competetion alone right there, but I was under the assumption that the more departments you have applied to and got turned or not hired, the worse it makes you look. I have a conditional offer from a Houston PD, but they cancelled 8 of their next academies and Im in the hiring process for Border Patrol, so there is already 2 depts. I have and didnt get hired, well not yet for BP anyways, but I dont wanna add anymore Depts. to the list of tried and didnt get accepted so I dont look bad to future PDs.

Sorry for blabbing on, lol.

Once again thanks to everyone for the responses

My department says that I can't dip in the presence of a citizen or in my patrol unit. So therefore, I find a little hiding place and get out of my car and I have my dip. There is also a no smoking policy, but I know that there are officers who smoke, they just don't do it in front of the citizens or the brass. Good luck. Semper Fi.

They "Prefer" none-smokers.....they do not "Require" that you be a none-smoker.....take the damn test and quit later..........get the job then deal with the smoking issue.

Good Luck Matt, you will be a great fit for the LEO Community!

Detective_Metro says ...

Metro is hiring......What department are you considering with the tobbacco policy?

Sugar Land PD.......I also test with League City PD July 22 and Galveston PD August 19

Im starting the Alvin CC Police Academy August 3rd as a self sponsor. Im using my GI Bill to pay for it and I figure if I do the academy on my own I will look better to a department and I can apply at alot more agencies.

I dont know much about Metro, see you guys around alot, but Im not orginally from Houston. I got out of the Marine Corps 2 months ago and moved to Houston.

I would go for it and be honest with the department.  Jeez, a lot of cops smoke or dip or both!  I don't think it's just a North Georgia thing.  Quitting smoking ain't easy, but it is possible.  I've been a little over a year and a half and I survived without killing anyone.  Funny, today on the news they were warning folks that some stop smoking medications may cause suicidal ideations!  Heck, the last person I thought about putting a bullet in was me!  Woo...I was one cranky heifer!  Good luck with it Shock and don't give up!!!!

Shock, Test all you want to. Just make sure when you get to the interview that's when you wan't to say this is the Department I really see myself working with. More and more Departments are non smoking. I quit by cutting back. I was smoking a pack and a half a day. I started by cutting back to a pack. I just thought about it when I lit on up, I looked at how many I had left for the day and what time it was. I did that for a week. Then went to 15 a day for a week. Then 10 for a week, then 5. This way you don't shock your boady as bad and go crazy.

The gum tasted like crap. and if you lite up with the patch.......... whoaaaa.

Just try it. I have made it 2 1/2 yrs now. I still want one every once in a while. But I know if I lite one up it's all over. Good Luck. You can do it.

Keep us posted on how you do and what Department you land at.

Chuck

Shock,

Non-Leo response but like others have said they “prefer” that you don’t smoke. Key word Prefer! Look at it this way what do you have that the other applicants don’t have? It’s your Marine Corps experience that may very easily out weigh your bad habit. I don’t know about in your state, but I do know in mine that someone who has served in the Military gets more points towards their application and normally have the highest chance of getting hired. So just some food for thought, go for it. What’s the worst that can be said to you? Sorry not at this time try again, you never know un-less you have gave it your best shot… Just test don’t sweat the small Ship…

Best of luck!

shockusmc87 says ...

Well see the thing was for some reason I was under the assumption that the more departments I tested with and didnt get hired the worse I looked to other PDs. I have since found out that isnt the truth, only like if I fail the polygraph or background or whatever it maybe, not for testing. So with that being said Im now gonna test and if anything as Bmorgan said gain expierence with the whole process.

And with quitting smoking, I came up with this bright idea, go figured it was right after I got done smoking one, that I would put them down for good. Well after 2 days of chewing 15 pieces of gum or having a mouth full of sunflowers seeds I was ready to choke out and body slam the crickets in my yard chirping and had to fire one up, so Im cutting back slowly and here coming up Im getting some teeth pulled so I can get braces on and when I had my wisdom tteth pulled 2 years ago I didnt want to touch a ciggarette for days, but went back to them eventually, so I fiugre once I get some teeth pulled again that will be a good time to put them down for good. Quitting smoking is harder than the 20 miles I used to hike with a 100 pounds of gear, lol. Honestly, next to trying to become a LEO, this is the hardest thing I have yet to concur.......bootcamp wasnt shit compared to this, lol.

Miapoet....Are you refering to Chantix?...I have heard it makes the smoke taste like metal and makes u want to quit, but heard it has bad side affects. I couldnt get it anyway, the doctors would never let me have it since I have been to a combat zone.

Thanks everyone for the replies and everything else.

Actually quitting smoking is not the hardest thing, it is quitting and staying off cigarettes.  I know people who have quit several times, hit periods of stress, and started smoking again.

szablotny says ...

Casscocop says ...

Actually quitting smoking is not the hardest thing, it is quitting and staying off cigarettes.  I know people who have quit several times, hit periods of stress, and started smoking again.

That's me    The Chantix actually worked for me for a while.  My wife & I only split a 1 month prescription, cuz it's expensive & my insurance doesn't cover it.  I fell off the wagon when I was closing on a house and went through a tough nite at work (armed rbber shooting at us).  shock, I wouldn't worry about urges during the academy...while I was there we couldn't have cigs in quarters (it was a live-in academy) and I didn't even crave them, they kept us so busy.

 

Mine is a 7:30 to 5ish.......and we are allowed to smoke during breaks, thats what worries me about being on a break and lighting up