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I want to be a police officer or a police dispatcher but I have asthma. What one would be better to go into

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Michael’s Answer

Don't limit yourself to either. Instead, find out what other positions exist within agencies you wish to work for. A new and growing trend is Crime Analysis and Computer Driven Policing. That in itself is going to generate a number of new career opportunities and the trend toward civilianization of specialty positions is going to grow like crazy.

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Kim’s Answer

Occasionally police depts. will accept applicants with medical conditions, but they have to be well-controlled for a certain period of time. This is to protect all parties involved: fellow officers, you, and the public. I'm sure you can imagine what would happen if you had an asthma attack at an inopportune time!


Also, I don't know how you would do during training, if you have to do the pepper spray exercise.


I Googled "police officer with asthma" and got several hits. I think it will vary by department and severity of the condition.


Dispatching is fun and exciting. As officers, we handled dispatch duties until our dept decided to civilianize dispatch. I think it is worth considering! There are also other civilian positions within the department, such as crime analyst, applicant processing, etc.


Having developed health problems at the age of 38, I understand how discouraging it can be to have limitations placed upon your aspirations. Try to keep a positive focus, and find ways to go around obstacles. It sounds like you are already doing that by thinking about dispatch. Best of luck to you!

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Walter’s Answer

Depending on how bad your asthma is would be the deciding factor. If your asthma is to a point that it can interfere with you ability to defend yourself or others, then you should be a dispatcher. If you asthma is not at such a point and you can work through it with ease then follow your dream and become an officer.
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