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About Commander 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.
Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa
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You are here: Experts > News/Issues > Law Enforcement > Careers: Police > IM JUST CURIOUUS
Expert: Commander Chris Wagoner - 8/25/2008
Question
QUESTION: IS THERE ANYMORE STATES THAT HAVE A MIN. AGE LIMIT OF 19 TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER
ANSWER: Hi Leayanna,
Well most states are 19. There are a few that are 21, but most are 19. There is no national standard. It really depends on the agency not the state. Here in Florida there are some agencies that require you be 21, some 19, so you really have to check and see by departments.
What state are you interested in? Maybe I can give you a few examples.
Oh and please take the CAPS lock off. Typing in all capitals is considered yelling and not very nice. :)
Be well..
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ok I wanna work in California I plan on moving there next yr after my lease is up in June but this December I will be 19 and I want to be active in the force next yr when I move there atleast. This is like my passion......
ANSWER: Hi Leayanna,
Here are the Cal standards to be a police officer:
California peace officers undergo an extensive selection process before they are hired by law enforcement agencies. The role of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) includes establishing minimum selection standards for peace officers in California and conducting research that results in the development of the tests and procedures used by local law enforcement agencies to adhere to these minimum selection standards.
Minimum Selection Standards
The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Every California peace officer must be:
free of any felony convictions;
a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (CHP officers must be US citizens at time of appointment);
at least 18 years of age;
fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation;
a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution, and
found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Penal Code Section 13510(a) gives POST the authority to establish minimum selection standards for peace officers employed by agencies that participate in the POST program. These peace officers must, at a minimum, meet the selection standards outlined in the Government Code, and pass the following POST selection requirements prior to hire.
Reading and Writing Test
Agency / Academy FAQs
Applicant FAQs
Per Commission Regulation 1002(b)(3) (pdf), applicants must be able to read and write at the levels necessary to perform the job of a peace officer as determined by the use of the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) or other job-related test of reading and writing ability. The PELLETB is provided to law enforcement agencies in the POST program at no charge. The Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (pdf) provides information for agencies and applicants, including a thorough overview of the test, practice test items, and test taking strategies. NOTE: Reserve officers are not required to meet this standard.
Interview
Commission Regulation 1002(a)(8) stipulates that every peace officer applicant be interviewed prior to employment to determine the applicant's suitability for law enforcement service. The Interviewing Peace Officer Candidates: Hiring Interview Guidelines document provides guidance in all phases of the interview process. Additionally, agencies may request access to the Oral Interview Question Bank which contains hundreds of interview questions developed specifically for assessing the six mandated interview factors: experience, problem solving ability, communication skills, interest/motivation, interpersonal skills, and community involvement/awareness.
Background Investigation
The history of a peace officer applicant must be thoroughly investigated to make sure that the applicant is of good moral character [Government Code 1031(d)] and that nothing in his/her background is inconsistent with performing peace officer duties. The background investigation is also conducted to ensure that the applicant meets the minimum selection requirements of Commission Regulation 1002 (doc) and Government Code Section 1031.
To assist POST-participating agencies with the background investigation process, POST has a Background Investigation Manual (pdf), which includes the Personal History Statement – Peace Officer (doc) form that the applicant will need to complete at the onset of the investigation. The manual also includes the ten background dimensions that are to be assessed in the background investigation.
Medical Screening
California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any “physical condition which might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.” Commission Procedure C-2 (doc) implements the medical screening requirements established in Government Code 1031. As described in Commission Procedure C-2, the physical evaluation must be conducted by a licensed physician and surgeon. To assist physicians in their examinations of peace officer applicants, POST has developed a Medical Screening Manual which includes recommended examination and evaluation protocols for the individualized assessment of each candidate, and provides detailed information on commonly detected medical conditions. This manual also provides recommendations for screening hearing (pdf) and vision (pdf).
Psychological Screening
California Government Code 1031(f) requires all California peace officers to be free from any "emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer." Commission Procedure C-2 (doc) implements the psychological screening requirements established in Government Code 1031. As described in Commission Procedure C-2, the psychological screening must be conducted by a qualified, licensed, and experienced psychologist or psychiatrist. A minimum of two written assessments must be used; one test must be targeted to identifying patterns of abnormal behavior, the other must be an assessment of normal behavior. A clinical interview with the applicant must follow.
POST is in the process of revising the Psychological Screening Manual; the new manual is expected to be released in 2008. Currently available are the POST Psychological Screening Dimensions (pdf), which will be incorporated into the revised manual.
Additional Departmental Standards
The selection standards described above are POST-required minimum selection standards. Per Penal Code Section 13510(d), local agencies/departments may set standards that exceed these minimum selection standards. Peace officer applicants may be subjected to additional evaluations and/or assessments required by individual law enforcement agencies. These additional requirements may include physical ability testing, drug screening, a polygraph examination or voice stress analysis.
Here are job openings posted in Cal: http://www.post.ca.gov/Hiring/Job_Opportunities/
Good luck and be well...
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: well I have talked it over with my husband and were going to move to fort wayne indiana so i also read the qualifactions for california but can u help me out with the qualifactions for fort wayne indiana like u did with clifornia
Answer
Hi again Leayanna,
Here is the Indiana police office minimums..
Basic Eligibility Requirements and Consideration Factors Eligible candidates for recruit school must:
Be a United States citizen
Be at least 21 and less than 40 years old when appointed as a police employee.
Have vision correctable to 20/50.
Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile.
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED.
The Indiana State Police offers two academy options: the Traditional Academy for individuals with no prior law enforcement experience and a Lateral Academy for certified police officers wishing to transition into a career with the state police.
Also remember that each agancy can add their own requirements on top of these so check with the police department you want to join.
Be well and good luck..
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