Despite you problems in HS, you seem pretty logical and articulate for a 19 year old. Your less-than-privileged upbringing will help you to keep things in perspective as you battle your way into this career.
Get a four year degree in a non-aviation field which might serve as a career backup (aero engineering would be OK).
FBO's and small flight schools offer the best and worst training opportunities...you have to carefully slect the right one, but you will save a ton of money that way. All the large acacemy schools are overpriced, and many (or most) will mistreat you.
Some aviation universities offer good programs, but are usually very expensive. Look into Utah Valley State College near Salt Lake City...I have flown with a number of their graduates in the airline biz, and nobody has anything bad to say about it.
Flight instruction is the probably the ideal entry-level job...there are many reasons for this. In most cases it is also the only job that will be available to a low-time pilot, so assume that is what you will do. If you get lucky and stumble into a non-cfi flying job, great, but don't plan on that...you will be disappointed.
Many civilian pilots will also not consider you to be a "real pilot" without CFI experience.
Most law enforcement flying jobs are obtained through years of seniority as a cop, and networking with the flight ops people. The few agencies that hire pilots off the streets will be looking for a lot of flying experience.