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Expert: - 5/12/2008


Question
Good Afternnon
Please could you assist , I am a South African Citizen age 26 ,  and have tried joining our local Army / Police Force , but have however not been successful due to Government Affirmative Action.
Is there any way I can join a Foreign country ( US or any other ) to become a Police Officer or Soldier.
Any answers will be a great help ..  

Answer
Hi Kevin,

I am sorry but you can not become a police officer in the United States unless you are a US Citizen. And you cannot join the US Army unless you are a US citizen, have a US background, or green card. You can only get a green card if you live in the states for 5 years or marry a US citizen. In order to move to the United States you have to get a resident card. You can obtain a resident card by first getting a job in the US.

Other Countries that I know of (quite a few if I do say so having lived in Europe for a few years) do not allow you to join either unless you are a citizen of that country.

You could always get green card a live here for 5 years and get a job, then join the Army, which if you are interested speeds up your citizenship. Just an idea. Here check this out:

http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/05/30/3402-servicemembers-receive-memorial-day-gi...

Hope this gives you an idea.

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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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