diabetes in law enforcement

mt5150 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 04:51 PM

Hi, I'm type 1 diabetic and recently graduated a police academy in Ca. I took a medical exam for the first agency i applied for, and the doctor and/or the agency disqualified me because i am insulin dependant. I was wondering if there are any insulin dependant coppers out there who have any advice or experience on my situation.

MT5150

Andrea · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 10:49 PM

Hi there,

I am not in law inforcement, but i do know of a couple of people who are (in Toronto, Canada). I know it is possible, but you will probably have to get the American Diabetes Association on your side to help you fight for your rights. PHone your local branch and ask about what there advocacy programs are. You will likely have to prove, one way or another that you are at relatively low risk for hypoglycemia - i hope you test lots and record everything!

good luck,
Andrea

dpav · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 09:49 AM

I was in Ca. and applied for several jobs in law enforcement. I was turned down in California and in Ohio and in New York. I started my own Private Patrol Company till I learned that the low life available to hire was not worth loosing a company reputation over. You may find it easier to change careers. Hope you get what you want. If you win with the ADA on your side, let us know how it goes. Just for example I applied at the LA County Sheriffs, CHP, and Long Beach Police departments. They all turned me down. Actually I was told to leave without completing my paper work in one case. Good Luck.

mt5150 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 12:58 PM

I asked the agency that i applied to what medical/physical standards they required. Turns out it's the same medical/physical exam needed to enter the police academy that which i graduated from.

Alaska · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 01:38 PM

In Washington and Alaska you cannot work patrol if you have diabetes but you can have be a desk jockey from my understanding of it.

MacnReef · #6 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 02:03 PM

Man I am glad I read this! I almost went to the Police Academy about 2 yrs ago but could not make it, conflicting schedules. So I have been reconsidering it, but not if you have to go thru all of that. My uncle is a Sergeant for Orlando Police Dept and he never mentioned that I could not be a patrolman if I had diabetes. That sux. I have wanted to be a cop for years but my wife really does not want me to be, for obvious reasons. But I had all my paper work done, had the physical from my doctor, all the drug test and had all my test to enter the police academy all completed....just had to go meet the head person.

Good Luck MT5150, keep us posted!

Rob43 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2003, 03:54 PM

Hi, I found a website for Policeman and they had people on this website ask about diabetes before.

http://www.policeOne.com

Rob43