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Question
I'm 18 years old i live in Stockton, ca. and I don't want to wait two years to become a police officer. I heard of like a boot camp or deputy program or something like that! Is there any thing i can do for the police department until I'm 20? can you point me in the right direction or give me a website or phone number of some one who can?
Hi Vincent,
So your 18, and don't want to have to wait two years to become a cop? Well I looked at the web page for your local academy and did not see a limit on the age of the applicant. Here is what the requirements were at:
http://www.deltacollege.edu/div/astech/Programs/POSTACADEMYAPP.html
I did not see anything that mentioned a boot camp of any kind.
SO I do not see an age requirement, but I have to tell you, I became a cop back when I was 18, and I really wish now I had gotten my college out of the way first. I needed it later on for promotion and advancement and I had to go back to college later and get it, and it sucked! Pardon the language. But I really should have gotten at least my 2 year degree first then become a cop. I would have advanced sooner and it would have been much eaiser.I also now have to admit I was not ready to be a cop at 18. I still had some maturing to do and was lucky that I did not get myself in trouble.
I STRONGLY recommend that you go to college and get at least a two year degree in Criminal Justice or a related field if not a 4 year. Many departments are requiring a degree to get promoted beyond entry level. Many colleges now offer degrees in criminal investigations, forensics, computer crime, and others. Then you would be 20 or 21 and you could then join up to get through the academy then.
Let me offer a second idea. I don't know if you thought of this yet but you could join the military and get three years experience in the military, get out have the benefits of the military and then get hired. You see many states (mine (Fl) included) recognize the Military Police Training of the US Army and Air Force as equivalent training, so if you go in the Army, become an MP and serve three years, then get out and come to Florida (or other states), you do not have to go to the Academy (which is 6 months long) only a 2 week course and you can then take our State Exam and become certified in Florida. SO there is another idea.
I know you are really wanting to get in and get going, but trust me a little time spent now, getting your degree and stuff out of the way, will save you years of nights school, working full time and going to school at the same time.
Hope this helps you and gives you some ideas.
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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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