Diabetes Type 1 Support Group

Hi

I see you live in Canada. I don't know much about the police here in the UK, less about Canada. Have you asked anyone about this? Any police organisation or maybe a police officer if you know any. Maybe there are jobs in the police force you can do which involve desk work? I don't really see why we are banned from certain jobs anyway. If you are interested, it might be good to contact diabetes charities and try to organise a campaign.

I have no idea as to whether or not type 1's are excluded from becoming a police officer anywhere in the world. However, one must weigh the risks involved.

Now, we all know that there are three factors that we have control over that affect a type 1's blood sugars; diet, exercise and insulin intake. As one of my docs once told me, there are at least twenty more other factors that we have no control over. Things like catching a cold, our emotions, and how we sleep.

Consider the job of a police officer. The physical exertion of have to physically chase after and or apprehend (wrestle with) a law breaker. The constant driving of a car while on patrol. The emotional swings and adrenoline rushes.

Imagine being in a chase or apprehending a criminal in a critical situation and having an insulin reaction! Even with a fast sugar on you to dispel a reaction, you will not be fully aware/functional with what you are doing for at least ten to twenty minutes/ Think about that and being in a critical life threatening situation with others depending on your actions!

No, common sense dictates that we have to be excluded from consideration from doing certain jobs. Driving any sort of public transportation, (buses, planes, trains, trucks, boats), serving on a jury (oops I ,missed that testimony..I was having an insulin reaction!), and police work to name a few.

We, as type 1's have to recognize that an insulin reaction can and will happen at unpredictable times and it's our responsibility to not put others at risk.

I'm not sure about the Canadian police but I know that you can become a police officer with diabetes in the US. So that is some hope for you. My mom is hypoglocemic and she was a police officer (in the field) in New Orleans for two years before hurricane Katrina and we had to move. I want to be a police officer too if I cannot find a job in my degree field! I wish you the best and I do suggest asking a local law enforcement office as to whether you can join!

This happened in San Antonio, TX. A man was denied to become a police officer here and he fought back. The end result was that he won his case and is now on the police force. Hope this helps.

As far as I'm aware in the UK there is a blanket ban on diabetics (type 1s) becoming police officers.I can't even apply for community policing duties :(
Don't know how the law stands in Canada though x

I can tell you that My dad is a police officer and his partner has been a diabetic for years. He's just now thinking about going on the pump. I know exactly how you are feeling as I used to want to be a cop as well. I'm also type 1 diabetic diagnosed in july 2005. I chose a different path not just because I have diabetes but for other reasons. Anyway, I would say that you can do it. It might be difficult at times but that's not a reason to give up on your dreams. You just have to be under control and know your body. Give it a try. At least that way you can say you tried. There are so many facets to being a police officer, under cover, patrol, code enforcement, dispatch. You can still get in to the field and be a part of it. Please don't give up on your goal until you have at least tried.