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Careers: Police/I Just emailed you a few days ago..

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Expert: - 2/21/2008


Question
Hey im the person that contaced you a few days ago..i was curious if you had any other pathways to a career in law enforcement other than doing corrections first..

thank you

Answer
Hi again Louis,

There are a few ways to get into law enforcement, but when you young, nothing comes fast enough, as you can guess.

I recommend trying one fo these methods of getting into a police agency for young people.

1.  You can apply for a non-sworn position such as a Community Service Aide, or sometimes they are called Field Service technichians. They investigate non-emergency calls and help with other things on the road. Its a good chance for the agency to see youand get used to you and you to prove to them your worth the investment of sending to an academy

2.  Get your degree in Criminal Justice. This does two things, it allows you to learn about Criminal Justice, and also allows you to be a little older and more mature before you apply.

3.  Join the military and go into the Military Police. The training and experience you get will make you a highly sought after hire. And in Florida, if you get military police training, you can apply for a exemption from the police academy, you attend a two week course and you can then take the state exam. You don't have to go to the academy! Your military training gives you the basics, gives you time to mature, and gives you the right of being called a "veteran" which only 1.3% of the American public can claim. I am one myself. I was a MP in the Army and loved it.

Those are a few other ways to get into law enforcement. I hope you look at each one and think about them, there are several paths and you have to pick one that is OK for you.

Good luck and I hope it all works out..

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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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