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Question
I watch a TON of Animal Cops (because I'm kind of weird like that), and I love what the officers do and I think it would a great job to have. I'm not actually sure if you can answer my question, but I was wondering if you happened to know anything about being an animal control officer and/or animal cruelty investigator. I've done some research on the Internet, but I can't find much. I was wondering about what training/schooling I would need, a salary range, and any other information about what officers do on a typical day. Thanks so much, and terribly sorry if I bothered you with a question that you can't answer.
Hi Molly,
By Animal Cop I am guessing a police officer that investigates Animal Cruelty Cases? If I am correct then you have to understand specialty units in law enforcement.
Specialty Units (Dive Team, Animal Cruelty Units, Motorcycle Units and all the others...) all start out as Patrol Officers. You have to become a police officer first before you can specialize in a unit like Animal Abuse or Cruelty Investigations. Most departments that I know of require a minimum of 2 or 3 years on the "road" as a patrol officer before you can request a transfer to a speciality unit.
Also you need to know not all police agencies have Animal Abuse units. Some agencies are just not big enough to have full time investigators dedicated to these types of crimes. The bigger the agency the better the chances you have of getting into this very specialized area.
I work with the unit in Broward County Florida and it was a great group of Detectives that really loved their jobs.
The typical day? It is spent investigating calls about animal cruelty or animal abuse, and also any other types of animal cases, cock fighting, dog fighting and other crimes.
The pay is that of a police detective at the department they work for.
You have to become a police officer first, put a couple of years in on the road to learn the ropes as they say, and then you can put in for that type of position.
If you have more questions on this I can answer them for you.
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Answers by Expert:
Chris Wagoner
Expertise
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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