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Expert: - 5/25/2008


Question
Hi there,
Even after reading previous comments, I am still not sure of the following: I
have had my Green Card for about 8 months now and would like to join the
San Diego Police, however, after reading the requirements and calling them
so many times, I still am not sure if I can join only with a Green Card. It states
that you can join if you are citizen and permanent resident (Green Card) and
have began citizenship process. I have to wait total of 5 years in order to
become citizen, so does that mean I have no choice other than wait?
Also, since I am here, can you tell me which you would recommend: Police,
CHP, Sheriff or Corrections? and why?
Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

Answer
Hi Nadia,

I am very happy for youthat you wish to become a police officer in the US.

You have to be a citizen, OR hold a green card and have started the paperwork to be a citizen. Thats what they mean. You do have to wait the 5 years to become a citizen, but that would give you time to get a degree, which is VERY important if you want to be a police officer these days.

Use the time to your advantage, go to school and get a degree in criminology and then when you get out, you will be just about ready to be a citizen and a police officer.

Otherwise, maybe try getting a job in the police department that does not require you to be a citizen. Maybe work i the communications division, or the records section, or some other section that would get your foot in the door and give you experience with the department until your ready  (time is up) to be a police officer.

Hope these ideas help.

And as for which one. County Sheriff's are my favorite, State Troopers are pretty limited to traffic investigation and enforcement, City is limited in jurisdiction to the city, County does a little of it all.  

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Chris Wagoner

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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!!

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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