Small problem with recent ticket

[Kath]

Within the next six months I will be applying for the academy.
However dec 26 of last year (02) I was pulled over for possesion. The cop Searched the car knowing we had weed. But after we swallowed it and he couldnt find anything he decided to just give me a speeding ticket. He told me at the time it shouldnt hurt me when applying to the academy. However, I dont want the points to drag me down and im going to take it to court to see if I can have a lesser infraction. Based on the fact that the officer was indeed only looking for drugs. Perhaps if I come clean, admit what we did, and volunteer my time and extra costs, I feel I may be able to swing by. Seeing as though I have a spot free record, both driving and personal, they will consider my goals of law enforcement. My question is, how likely is this that the cop wont aruge me? Or by giving up this information could leave me open to attacks on my record (drugs). I was also wondering how detailed this is, will it just show speeding on my record? Or stopped due to narcotics? Other then that i feel i have good chances of getting in. Does anyone know how far back thc is tested? I havent smoked in nearly a month and do not plan to ever. Though I dont want to come up positive do to an extensive test. I will have my credit cleaned up before I apply and I have a ged. So other then that I cant see anything else that would keep me from acheiving. I work right now for an amublance company and will have nearly 6 months under my belt as an N.E.V driver. My past work record is lttered with mediocre jobs from my youth. Though I was never fired.
I am applying out of state (currently residing in Detroit) and want to do everything I can in the following months to make this as smooth as possible. Seeing as though theres hundreds of canidates I want to shine, specially since I have no college education.
Sorry for the long question, but if anyone could help I would sincerly appreciate it.

[guest]

I would go ahead and come clean with everything you mentioned. Coming clean will ensure you never become a cop. Admitting to drug use?? You truley aren't that bright for even concidering admitting to drug use when all you received was a speeding ticket??!! See dope does nothing to slow your thinking or affect your intelligence! Ha,ha. Come clean because we don't need a fool like you to slip throught the cracks and be enforcing the public and upholding our laws! Unreal Kath. You are kidding right? your post was mean't to stir the pot a bit?

[Romano]

I can't believe I am saying this but I actually agree with Guest...

[paul]

I also have to agree with guest. Is this a joke?

[dave]

Are you for real? Isn't it a bit early for April Fool's day?? I know it's starting to get warmer, but give your head a shake...

[kath]

um, perhaps you should read first before spreading your useless opinions. I clearly said I would come clean in court, that means COURT. Not during an interview or any in any other binding disclosure. I dont want adivce from people who dont know what thyre talking about. Them knowing in COURT what I did will not get me in anymore trouble seeing as though the offense is possesion and not the act of smoking it.
I know points may not mean anything to your crap driving record, but im an excellent driver and dont wish to have points when I wasnt deserving of it. For anybody qualified to help i would appreciate it thanks.

[Georgie]

of course he said he was an excellent driver..an excellent driver..ya..uh oh...ya ;D

[Glenn]

Kath,
you stated that you haven't smoked in nearly a month...
I take it that you meant weed and not tabacoo.
Whats this thing about court? Not in an interview or binding disclosure...
Lets be frank...
After you write and say pass. Then go on to the interview and poly. Before all that happens, you will be filling out a life style questionaire. They will ask about sex, drugs, alcohol..etc..
You have to tell them the truth, it will come out in the poly.
Now, most people have tried pot...I have..last time was 20years ago...so there is a little bit of time there. Most departments don't want any in the last 5 years, on average. Pot will be the limit. Other drugs, forget about it.
You should really think this over. Put yourself in their shoes. You interview a person who has smoked pot within the past 6 months or a year...would you hire this person to enforce the law?....
You also amitted that when you were pulled over, the officer was looking for weed. I take it that he smelled it from your car. Then you state that he didn't find any becuase you swallowed it....
Just because you have a clean driving record and/or clean criminal record. Just didn't get caught, is not good enough. You have to show them that you live your life above this type of behaviour. They will look at your background in detail. The people you associate with, your past drug use..your employment, education, the type of life that you lead.
The officer probably was being polite when he said that it shouldn't hurt you when you apply. He probably rolled his eyes when he walked back to his patrol car. Get what I mean....
You should be able to say " I haven't smoked pot in 5+ years" not, nearly a month.
Take a good look in the mirror Kath, what would you do if you were in their shoes?
I know what I would do with your application.."FILE IT!"
Thats about as polite as I can be...

[lich]

At the risk of being vulgar here, take the f---ing ticket!

Forget about your goal of having a spotless driving record. Admitting to posession by way of admitting to consumption (not to mention doing this in order to deceive a police officer) in court is insane. You might as well ask the officer to increase the charges. What you say in court is more likely to leave you in a bind than any binding disclosure. You would tell a judge to dismiss your speeding ticket because the officer only pulled you over for the drugs you were holding which you subsequnetly consumed in order to avoid the greater charge? This would go on the record, and during the course of a background investigation, it would be discovered. At that point, your rejection letter would be covered with spittle from a hundred officers laughing their asses off.

Look, the officer pulled you over for speeding. Unless you showed him your drugs, he didn't stop you for posession. You deserve the ticket and the points. You probably deserve a lot more, but you were far too clever to get caught with the drugs.

I'm adding this part more for the discussion board than you in particular. Here's a tip: for whatever minor charges you may accumulate over the years, be they speeding tickets or whatever, do whatever is necessary to resolve them quickly. Don't leave long paper trails for background investigators to look through and try to determine not only what you did but how you handled it. Take responsibility for the mistakes you are caught making and settle things quickly. Pay the fine, take the points, and let the officer who pulled you over forget all about you but the notes he wrote in his book. I guarantee the officer in this case will never forget this guy if he tries the course of action he has suggested, and he will have plenty to say to any department seriously considering hiring this individual.

[Kath]

Thank you the following posts they had actually helped. Nothing cdncop2be says applies here. Since the weed wasnt being smoked at the time. The officer saw the drugs through the window of the passenger side. I had people in the car I shouldnt have who couldnt appreciate the act of being discreet. So no when I say I wasnt speeding, I WAS NOT. I would think that to be a good quality in an officer to not jump to assumptions. Apparently cdncop2be does not see it that way. Nor did he roll his eyes seeing as though I was looking right at him and he started to tell me about his academy days. So no I dont get what you mean, when you say he rolled his eyes and walked away, since I asked him if it would effect me AFTER he told me all he was giving me was a speeding ticket, and he told me if he busted me for possesion I would never have a chance. I had already submitted my application into the dept and filled in the questioanire part stating its been nearly 12 months since I "expiremented" with weed. They still accepted it. I dont know where this 5 year thing comes into play, maybe in your area. This was before the speeding ticket which is my concern.
And yes I would hire someone like me seeing as though ive never lived a life of crime and know many of people who do and thyre tricks. My passanger who obviously didnt care about getting caught, was indeed caught, he hid his portion in his shoe. He was too dumb to swallow it like I told him to do. If this officer had any sense he would of searched there. He was more determined to fill in the hour. Seeing as though he let him go when he had a warrant for his arrest and he clearly knew we HAD something. Not to mention I had forgot my i.d at home. he could of thrown the book at me. So the fact that I pay attention and want to do this makes me way more qualified then alot of cops. Yes i've smoked weed please spare me your rants about how big a criminal I am. Other than that I dont touch drugs. Again im going to state again, my record is PROOF of my clean life style. Theres only so long you can go cdncop2be before getting caught, I would think you would know this. Not to mention the fact I am TELLING you of the situation it isnt your place to assume all these things, which really is useless advice if your avoiding the facts. If that had been the case, I would of clearly said that. So its very nice you wish you had the power to file an application specially seeing that you never caught glimpse of it. Considering my 1200+ hrs volunteer community service, emt license and perfect work history. That must be why your not incharge of these things.
Thanks lich I think I wont go ahead and take it to court. The only thing which is a concern to me which these people must not seem to get is, if they can even DO anything. Since a cop cant bust you for smoking unless he catches you. Or how detailed the log is, since my ticket just says 5 over. So when I have to explain why I had gotten the points, what I should say. Contrary to popular believe it seems, im not a liar and if I trully believed myself to be unqualified I would never apply. Its not like im looking for a "job". To go out there and work one of the toughest jobs for the money lol.
Well thanks for your advice again lich, u seem to be the only one without his head up his ass.

[Glenn]

Kath,
Well it seems that you have cleared up a few grey areas reguarding your post.
I didn't mean it to sound that you are a criminal. Just that it looks like you put yourself in a bad situation. Which I am sure we all have at one time or another. Sometimes our association needs to be looked at. I am sure you realize that.
I didn't jump to conclusions, but your first post sounded like you were pulled over and downed the weed before the cop came up to the car.
Your right, I do not know about your past, I was just trying to put it in prespective. If the department accepted your application with the statement about the past "weed", then great. All departments have different places they draw the line. I heard one department state a min of three years for weed, another five.
I do not know the exact details of your encounter that day/night in the car with your associates.
But when first reading your post about being pulled over for possession and that you state your clean driving record, it looked like it could be a blemish. When past drug use comes up, espically recent, red flags go up. I know of guys who have been kicked out of the application process when they said the last time they smoked weed was three years ago. When you said that you haven't smoked in nearly a month, that would have ended your application in most departments where I live. It seems that it is much different in Detorit.
I agree with Lich and just pay the ticket or whatever it is, don't fight it. And the department accepts your application, and you have be truthful, then great. I am sure you have learned a valuable lesson. It seems that you have put an tremendous amount of volunteer hours in, it would be a shame to see it go to waste.
The only thing that I noticed in your posts. First you state that it has been nearly a month since you last smoked. Then on your last post about the application you said that its nearly twellve months since you last experimented. Is this just a type o or did i miss understand..just a question.
Good luck

[Glenn]

Kath,

Just another note, before you get all upset. But when people read your first post this is what they see.

"Dec 26,02 I was pulled over for possession."
"Cop searched the car knowing we had weed."
" But after we swallowed it"
"Based on the fact that the officer was indeed only looking for drugs"
" I haven't smoked in nearly a month and do not plan to ever"

Post #2
"will not get me in anymore trouble seeing though the offence was for possession and not the act of smoking"

Post #3
The officer saw the weed through the passenger side window"
the passenger had a warrant, but was let go"

These are the things that stand out in your post.
I do not know your background or the people you associate with, or what exactly what happened that night/day when you where pulled over.
I know some departments wouldn't take a second look at you, knowing that fact that you have smoked weed in the past 12 months. That is a fact. Your volunteer hours are comendable, but won't do you any good with some departments. Weed is an illegal drug, cut and dry. A 24 hour suspension is cut and dry, dont waste my time I have heard from one department.
Calgary Police want as least 3 years min since you last tried weed. Depends on your age five is more like it. RCMP, nothing in the last 5 years, pot is the limit, and only experimental. A 24 hr susp. ..go home, don't waste my time, was his words.

So when reading your post, these are the things that stand out. Not your volunteer hours or your clean work/driving record and clean criminal check. The fact that you smoked pot recently, and pulled over for possession, even though none found, because you or the others swallowed it.
This would diffently end your application at the door with a lot of departments.
As I reread you posts, you say you are applying out of state..again red flags go up..is this because of the car possession incident, or family?
If this upsets you, well, thats the way it goes.
If you tell the department the truth about past drug use and they have no problem...great. But if you try and hide it or lie on the background questionaire, it will come out in the poly. Thats if they use it, most do..
Well thats about it.

[kath]

In regards to your first response, I have the feeling of how the assumptions run wild. So im not going to sit here and try to explain every detail. I'm sure we all have a life lol. Yes it has been 12 months but when I say smoke I was in vicinity of it, my friends smoke it. I know you hear that alot but again, it dosent help me to put you on. The only reason I was even out there was to do my brother a favor. It was my brother and his friends. MY brother is being forced into the millitary for other deliquencies so I felt bad and wanted to give him an easier time before he leaves. I know not very helpful, but he has helped me in the past and thats the only request he had, was for a "ride" so you can imagine this incident has destroyed our relationship. Due to the fact he wouldnt help pay for the ticket after I told him the odds of us getting caught were extremly high that night and I never wanted to go. So hes nothing but trash to me, for using me for drugs. So when I say smoke smoke, I mean smoking as in went out and bought my own and smoked it. Last month was just me socializing with friends in a small unventilated room. So Instead of saying that I just say I smoke, techically I did. Its just easier that way ya know? Im a cut the bullshit kinda person. Thats a long cry from a regular smoker thinking he can enforce the law. Thats an extreme liability issue, and that not how I want to represent my city.
On that subject, the reason I am leaving is because I lived in the other city and visit it often. To be frank, thats where I want to live. I shouldnt change my goals and dreams due to birthplace, thats rediculace. As far car history family is concerned. Thats not a factor, I bought a new car since and as I said, there are no records to my knowledge of any drugs. Cept for the grey area of this recent ticket, if he will log WHY he pulled us over. Which is stil arguable since he found nothing. Family is irrelevant, since I will be judged on performance, and not family life. I know all the sob stories to tell anyway. The last 12 months, I put on my record i havent smoked IN 12 months, one last time, IN 12 months I have no ingested marijuana. Thats as clear as I can be, and it is truthful. They already know this, the only thing in my way is the fact my credit is a lil messy. Since im not old enough to join anyway. I have time to clean it.
I apoligize for getting a lil upset. I dont like it when people think im stupid and dont know anything. I dont plan on telling them anything about drugs. 12 months ago ATLEAST and thats as far as it goes. Other then that im perfect which I am. (college credit would help) I dont plan on smoking my brains out and reliying on com hours to carry me, dont be crazy. Theres no way to prove me wrong unless theres record which there arent. Or if I contradict myself, which I cant. As far as thyre concerned I got the points by going a lil fast. My only problem is, if the log says otherwise, I could be up shits creek. Irony if aything, all this time working towards my goal only to be potentially blocked for aiding my piece of shit brother. Your right it would ocme out on a polly unless I believe the lie, (self deception, its the best kind isnt it?) That may seem an ignorant thing to say. But hopefully it will work out. By the time im old enough to even meet the age requirment, it would be 6 months EXTRA so I wouldnt be lieing, only if I were to test tommarow. Incase you were wondering I did put the app in and I cheked the box that said I smoked thc over 12 months ago. They accepted it and I have to wait for a good time to go test.
I understand you may not agree with this, but I believe the ends justify the means, specially since I trully want to do good out there.
So again I apoligize for getting snappy, this means alot to me so I get defensive.

[kath]

i was just reading this over, srry for all the spell errors, im in the station here and there people waiting to get on
everyone have a good day

[Glenn]

Kath, ;D
much clearer picture now. I can understand a bit better on what went on.
The only advice I have actually comes from the sgt at the police department that I am a reserve constable with.
Now that your goal is to become a police officer, your life must be clean. He went on to say, if your at a party and some of your friends or other people light up a joint or whatever, kindly and quietly leave. On another note, don't party.. On drinking, 2 drinks max when out. Doesn't matter if your driving or not. Other cops do go out and have a drink, nothing wrong with that. Its just that, say you have your application in and are going through the hoops, someone, somewhere at sometime will recognize you, and it will come out. Oh yeah I saw so and so last night at the pub, boy can he/she drink...or not....that sort of thing.
Best behaviour on all of us...we must watch our accosiates as well as family members.
So Kath, good luck with your endevours..

cdncop2be
Keep your stick on the ice