Diagnosed schizophrenia(“if you have another depressive episode your diagnosis will be updated to schizoaffective depressive type”)
I talked to a police recruiter and told him about my interest in joining the police force. Told him about my mental illness and he asked me if I’m medicated to which I replied yes. He said there are cops diagnosed with bipolar and ADHD and he said everyone’s interviewed by a psychologist prior to the academy and the mental thing is based off a case by case basis. My older brother said they’re just saying that and my diagnosis will prevent me from joining. But I’m medicated, looking for the right med and dosage. I experience minimal symptoms on the lowest effective dose of latuda for schizophrenia. I’m a sharp physically fit young man. 20 going on 21 6"4 240 lbs with an IQ of 106. I’ve carried my dad’s dead body in my arms and called 911 promptly while keeping my cool and I’ve rushed to break up fights outside of my work during super bowl Sunday so I think I could handle the intensity and stress. I’m just wondering do you think I could get a clearance? I was in the enlistment process for the army when I was diagnosed and hospitalized so those dreams are gone but law enforcement is the next best thing. I want to fulfill a civic duty and help people and experience the rush of life or death situations. What do you guys think my chances are?
Unlikely. The police force has rather strict physical and mental entrance standards. Unless your condition is completely resolved and was minor to begin with, the police service is unlikely to let you join.
As long as you’re honest about your mental illness and don’t try to hide it during the application process, you can always try applying and see how it goes.
I will say, that one of your recent threads about not being able to feel empathy for others is concerning, especially if you go into a field such as law enforcement where you have to deal with people all day every day. Just something for you to consider.
Eh I was kind of in an edgy mood. Like psychotic symptoms, my lack of empathy comes and goes. At work today some of my co-workers initiated conversation with me and I was engaging naturally and being sincerely kind. So I do have empathy my traumatic upbringing may have dampened it though.
I think its possible to work for a pd or sheriffs office… im unsure if sz would limit avaliable positions to you or not though… it seems like a high stress job tho it seems pretty heavily taxing mentally…
Sz/Sza is a liability in the law enforcement world, but you might look at being a “Mental health” liaison or a crisis intervention worker.
It’s hard to say if you’d be flat out denied, they might let you apply, why not talk to them directly?
To be a police officer is a very high stress job, kind of like nursing. On that level of stress. Sz/Sza’s can’t do that kind of work. It’s too stressful for them. They are very likely to become psychotic on the job due to the stress and put themselves and others in danger. I wouldn’t recommend going into that field. Sz/Sza’s need low stress jobs.
