AboutCommander Chris Wagoner Expertise I have been a police officer for 28+ years and still going! I am the Police Academy Commander at a LAw Enforcement/ Corrections Academy in North Central Florida. 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 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!!!
Experience I am a 26 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.
Publications I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management.
Education/Credentials I have 2 degrees, an AAS in Criminal Justice Technology from Santa Fe Community College, and a AA from Santa Fe Community College in Criminal Justice Programs.
Question Hi, I'm a 15 year old girl and I'm starting to get really interested in becoming part of SWAT. I have a few questions that I would like answered from a professional. Ok, number 1, are females allowed to be part of SWAT and if so, do the SWAT trainers treat women differently than the males? Question number 2, I know I have to take a physical test, but do I also have to take a written test? Question number 3, I know I have to have a secondary police job, like patrol and K-9, but will it interfere with SWAT, like will SWAT and the secondary job collide? Ok, last question, does different states pay differently for SWAT people?
Answer Hi Courtney!!
YES GIRLS CAN BE SWAT OFFICERS!!! More need to be actually. Good for you thinking a little ahead about what you want to do and good for you picking police work!
I think I answer all your questions here:
There are a few things you can do that would help you out in a law enforcement career.
Some high schools offer courses in criminal justice, those would be helpful. Also check out the Police Explorer Program. There may be a post in your area and they are a great way to get to know law enforcement and the job. I started out as a police explorer at the ripe old age of 13! And I have been doing law enforcement ever since. (http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/)and it really helped me in becoming a police officer.
Also make sure you understand that what you do today can make or break your chances of being a police officer/SWAT member. Many young people don't realize that some things you might do in high school can prevent you from becoming a police officer. Things like drugs, bad driving (tickets) and of course being arrested. Just stay out of trouble, keep clean (no drugs) and be careful driving (remember your going to be writing people tickets for things, don't do them yourself!!!) and you should be just fine.
Also look at getting a college degree. Most departments like you to have them now, and some require them to be hired or promoted. SO look at going to college right out of high school and when you get out of college you will be the perfect age to join the police force.
Also as you know you have to become a police officer first before you can become a SWAT/ SRT team member.
You usually go to an academy in the area you want to work. Some cities have their own, some states have them, it all depends on where your going to work. Where do you think you might like to work?
A college degree is VERY important these days so make sure you finish that up. It will also give you a chance to age a bit. Most departments like to have you at least 21, and a 4 year degree would be very helpful also. Some police agencies require it to be promoted, so give it some thought.
But you have to be a police officer first before you can become a SWAT member. As for SWAT. Many people are under the impression that being a SWAT team member is a full time position. In 99% of departments its not, it is what we call a secondary position. That means that you are a patrolman or detective or whatever position you are serving in and a SWAT member second. You carry all the SWAT gear in your assigned vehicle or its carried in the SWAT response vehicle, and when you are needed for a SWAT call out, they notify you and you respond to the location and become a SWAT team member.
That’s how secondary positions work. Other secondary positions in most places are teams like Dive team, Search and Rescue and others like these that are not needed all the time. SWAT teams require a lot of physical and mental discipline.
Before you can apply for any additional position you have to have been on the force a year in some places, more in others. Its up to the department.
Here is a list of just some of the additional units available in the police department:
Aviation Unit
Bicycle Patrol
Bomb Squad
Canine Unit
Child Protective Investigations Section
Contractor Licensing and Fraud Unit
Crime Scene and Crime Lab
Crime Stoppers Unit
DUI Unit
Economic Crime Unit
Evidence Unit
Marine Unit and Dive Team
Mass Transit Unit
Motorcycle Unit
Mounted Patrol
Regional Investigations Division
School Resource Deputy Unit
SWAT Team
Victim Services Unit
So you see there are many other specialty units you can get into.
Good luck and be safe. And I commend you for thinking of Law Enforcement as a career.
As for pay, it varies for all police from place to place, city to city and state to state. SO look around.
PS> Please take a second to rate this answer, I do not get paid to answer these and the rating is my only form of "payment", thank you!!!
