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Expert: - 5/29/2008


Question
hello commander Wagoner. How are you doing I am doing great thank you for the last answers you have answered and i am really sorry if i am bothering you my question is what classes would you recommend to prepare myself to be a better candidate for SWAT would forensic science help? in my school you only have to take 2 years of PE that are required do you think taking PE 3 or through my whole 4 years of high school will help. I have also given some thought to the Navy's EOD technicians. I really appreciate all the help you have given me, do you know how i could join that learning for life program thing you told me about it really sounds helpful and interesting

Answer
Hi Aimee,

You are not bothering me at all, I don't mind answering your questions, if you have more feel free to ask. :)

PE would help as being in shape is very important if you want to succeed in the police academy when you go, also any criminal justice courses will help also, as you have to be a police officer before you can become a police officer.

If your thinking of going into the NAVY that is great! The military is a great way of life, and if you choose not to stay in, its great experience and will help you a lot in being a police officer. I think its great your considering it.

If you take the criminal justice courses and the PE, you would be fine to try and become a police officer, the military (NAVY) would be a great way of doing it also, so you sound like your really thinking this out and making some good choices. Keep it up!!!


Be Safe!

Careers: Police

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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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