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Question
im 18 years old and currently finishing high school.
i live in southwest florida and im not sure what would be the best way to follow a career in law enforcement. i was thinking possibly take the correctional academy then get a job a the local jail work there till i am 21, and then take the law enforcement academy then try to find a job on the road....and as i work in the jail i would be taking online classes towards a bachelors in criminal justice. ANY ADVICE??
Hi Louis,
Well what you outlined for me sounds like you have been giving it some thought. And your plan is a good one if you want to go that way. Nothing wrong with it at all.
Since you are 18 and want to get in as soon as you can, your path is a good choice as it will allow you got get experience in the department you choose and they can also see you and after putting several years in the jail and doing a good job they might be more likely to let you cross over to law enforcement.
As for the college. That is almost a must these days. At least a two year degree. Many agencies require them to be promoted so its a good thing to get out of the way while you still i the school mode and not 40 like I was. :)
Here is a link to the academies in the SW Florida area: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/training_resources/tc7.html
If you need more help let me know, but you seem to be going in the right direction.
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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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