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Careers: Police/how long does it typically take to process and start job?

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Expert: - 1/8/2008


Question
hello, i am coming home from iraq in a few months and i am a reservist who would like to begin a law enforcement career. i just recently turned 21, i had a suspended liscense when i was 16 for speeding.(wondering if that would slow me down any?) i want to have a job secured when i get home so there is not stop in pay. i am goin home for a short break in feb and hope to talk to some of the local stations, and fill out some applications and hopefully have some interviews, but im only home for 2 weeks. i know that the process is long sometimes and was wondering if u could help me out.(also wanted to let u know i live in ga) thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Joseph,

First from an old 3rd ID Army man, thank you for your service. It is appreciated by many back home, more than you hear about. I have my own pro-military YouTube Channel I run at 3rdID8487 (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=3rdID8487 )on YouTube, for you and your buddies or family members that want to see good news on the war.

Now on to your question, it takes anywhere from 2 months to as long as a year to get through all the application and testing and interviewing. It really depends on the department. But you can speed it up or make it easier if you designate someone back home with a power of attorney. That way they can fill out apps for you and submit things in your name legally while you are overseas. I had a young man in the Army e-mail me about this same thing, I got with his wife, se got Power of Attorney and filled out the applications and when he got back in the States he went through the testing and weeks later was in the Academy. He is now a Deputy Sheriff here.

Also don't forget that the GI Bill pays for you to go to the Academy. I have several in right now that are on the GI Bill and getting about $2000 a month to go here. It pays for everything and living expenses. If you are maybe interested in coming to Florida to be a Police officer go here for more information : www.policecareers.org . We would work with you on getting you tested and such if you were interested in coming here.

Also for GA you can go here to see a list of the training academies: http://www.gapost.org/Academies.htm

And here is a link to the Academy Training Material incase you wanted to study ahead of time: http://www.gapost.org/pdf_file/bletc404.pdf

Go to the GA POST home page (http://www.gapost.org/) to see all you need about being a police officer in GA. Get someone Power of Attorney and they can start the process for you and should make your transition faster.

Hope this helps, also STAY SAFE and get back here in one piece.

Careers: Police

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Chris Wagoner

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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