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Question
Hello Sir,
I worked for a small department as an Auxiliary Officer (un-trained and
un-certified) for 2 years and then moved on to become a reserve officer at a
different department where I received a part-time certified academy. I was
there as a reserve for approx. 2 years. I have a degree in youth ministry from
a Christian college and I am applying to be a full time police officer in a
different state. I have applied and tested at several different departments and
I am wondering if any of those things may be looked down upon in testing. I
have no criminal record, only one speeding ticket, and feel that I am a great
communicator and have even heard form my oral board interviews (I have a
connection) that I did extremely well on my board. What might be keeping
me from getting hired and is it possible that it is because I was a reserve at a
small Kansas SO?
Thanks for your time - Tyson
HI Tyson,
Your experience will not be hurting you. Understand that it takes an average of 6 months to go through the entire hiring process and many people think that because they do not hear back in a month or two they are not being hired. Background investigations take a long time.
Also it may depend on the department you applied for. If there is nothing in your background, then it could be that you are competing against many other people for 1 or 2 slots. You have to be the one that stands out from the others. You could do well all around, but when there are 30-50 or more applicants that all do well, its the ones that stand out.
You have to convince them, in the time of the oral interview and the background information you give them that you are the one out of 50 that they want.
Keep plugging along, you will eventually get hired if you have a clean background and do well on the test. In your favor is you have some experience, even if it is with a small town, you have more than those with none.
Hope that helps explain it a bit. Stand out!
Be well...
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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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