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Expert: - 10/13/2008


Question

Your question was

I was getting ready to apply to become a police officer this spring and had a
few questions...



here are my questions..



1.Should i be ok on the application/screening/background/polygraph?



The only thing i have ever done wrong is a few speeding tickets, along with a
misdemeanor larceny that i was charged with, but not convicted...as there was a
misunderstanding and it was expunged...that was almost a year ago....i don't do
drugs, never did, i don't smoke, and i don't drink alcohol ever....i have never
been cited for anything other than a few traffic violations...i have only 1
speeding ticket in the last 3 years....i have a few, 1 or 2 things that have my
credit low.....but that about all...anything i can do to make my chances better
or is this ok?



1 of the things on my credit was when i was younger, and of course stupid when
it came to life and responsibilities...





2.how long typically is the polygraph review from time of arrival to end when i
leave, and how long is the oral interview with or without the board?



3.should i do BLET with the local college to increase my chances of hire
anywhere?



4.What are police hiring procedures if i had BLET certification? and will
college help me?



thanks in advance for the help..


Answer
Hey Corey,

While your background will not keep you from being hired, it will make it harder to get hired. With that said whatever you do to make yourself more marketable will improve your chances. Going to college and getting a degree, even a two year, and putting yourself through the academy will greatly improve your chances. In addition it would give you some time between your "larceny" charge, and tickets and your application.

Some agencies require a few years (3-5) between any application and any criminal charges. Also some require a clean driving record for a minimum of 2-3 years. SO you could get your college in between now and when you apply.

Polygraphs run about 30-45 minutes and Oral boards can vary in length depending on the agency. I have sat on ones that ran 30 minutes and some that ran about an hour. SO it depends on the agency.

Here is what increases your chances:
Clean record for at least 5 years
Clean driving record for 3-7 years
College Degree or at least some college credits
Certification of BLE training.
Good credit record
Knowledge of the agency your trying to be hired at (mission statement, size, divisions, units, etc.)

Hope that helps..

Be well...

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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!!

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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.

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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..

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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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