Joing the police or the army with bi-polar

[Tyzer33]

I live in the uk and i am trying to join either the police or the army and i was wondering if anyone has any knowledge or experience with this. Im not too convinced that i would have a chance at getting in but i would like to try. Thanks

[bernie40]

Hi Tyzer,

The problem with the UK is that you have to declare any mental illnesses.  Now although there is the anti discrimination act there are certain jobs where they can get out of employing you on health grounds.

The police and the army are both very high stress jobs and you may find your way blocked.  I don't know this for sure though and I would suggest contacting the Human Resources Department at your local police force or the nearest recruitment office for the army.

Other jobs which are difficult to get with a history of mental illness are any kind of health care profession.

I know it shouldn't be this way and despite all the protestations that there is equality I'm sorry but the truth is that unless you were in the profession prior to the diagnosis then getting in is going to be very hard.

One word of encouragement though is:  I have read that if you can prove that you have been stable for a period of at least 2 years this can go a long way towards success in future applications.  

[LeftCoastChick]

I used to work for police dispatch here, unfortunately they can't accept you due to that. I had a hard time there when I was only being treated for depression, I had to prove that I was mentally capable to be employed there. I was suspended until the Union went to bat for me. There is a loop hole in rights here when it comes to emergency services. You might want to look at that.

[monkeyc]

You have to declare here in AU as well and mental illness is a straight no for Police and Defence Forces - these are high stress roles with the potential for people to be armed and interacting with the public - as such roles already tend to attract more than their fair share of people with illnesses attracted to the more violent aspects the psychological profiles are carefully designed to vet out.

Now I am not sure about the UK, it may be different as your police are not armed like ours but I suspect it is not.

The reality is that its common sense - I am as much against any for of discrimination as the next man but I do not believe this is discrimination in any way.  Some jobs are not suited for people with Bipolar Disorder and its that simple - jobs with massive stress loads which also include a potential for trauma and violence are not jobs I would be happy to see any of my BP friends in - I have a good friend who is a police officer and seeing what she goes through as a sane person is terrifying enough - I truly think it would destroy the average bipolar quick smart.

Its also important to note that most people are confused about the concept of disscrimination - its not discrimination to reject hiring someone on health grounds if they suffer from a medical condition which would severely limit or influence their ability to do the job - this makes common sense because when was the last time you saw a wheelchair bound bus driver?   Anti Discrimination laws are a different beast to what most people think - An employer is well within their rights to reject you on health grounds if unsuited for the job.

Actually I do have to say that health care is not so big an issue here in the AU world - a lot of people I know with BP and other illnesses work in health care professions without issue and very openly.

[Darkestlight]

Here in the US you can be both a cop or in the army with bipolar. Don't know much about the UK. I personally know a cop and many military members with bipolar.

[monkeyc]

Police in the US is down to state, town or county and considering the quality of some of the US "police forces" i would not be surprised if you could get in with Bipolar, a wooden leg and a guide dog in some places.

The US military does not accept recruits with mental illnesses - we have had a couple of people here try to get in and even try and fake it to get in.

I believe if you are diagnosed with a mental illness while i service its different depending on severity but I do know through some personal experiences with people that a pre existing diagnosis of any mental illness will exclude you from US military service - it is what the Military calls a permanent disqualification with no chance of a waiver - you have to be medication free for 5 years with no symptoms to join and mental illness is automatic no do not pass go.

That BTW is all well documented on the internet if you look.

That being said there may be some leeway for professional services entry apparently such as doctors and the like but general GI's seem out of luck.

[jexalexandra]

interesting, I did not know that. I had always said to myself, that if I wasn't deaf, I would probably be a cop.

[LeftCoastChick]

I wanted to be a cop after I lost a ton of weight, but even on their webpage, no mental illnesses were allowed, I was saddened by that. I wanted to go into the forensic side of it after being a regular constable for a while. I even thought about the military but that was a no go either.  I was in great shape and could run circles around people, I knew I could do it. Ah but that was 15 yrs ago lol. I'm too old now ;)

[cowgirlnerd]

Monkeyc is right about the "a pre existing diagnosis of any mental illness will exclude you from US military service - it is what the Military calls a permanent disqualification with no chance of a waiver - you have to be medication free for 5 years with no symptoms to join and mental illness is automatic no do not pass go."

I got all the way through the ASVAB testing for reserves and got a big....no way Jose'!

Unfortunately, it's something we can't do, but like Monkey, I agree that there are some limitations for job duties that just don't qualify as a discrimination.  If you can't make "accomodations" to perform in the job as well as another person - you can't do the job - period.  

Even though you might not be able to perform in those task, maybe you could train in an area like forensics....

Rach