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Careers: Police/Picking a career
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Question
Hi, I am going to be going back to college for paralegal or criminial justice. I really want to be a lwayer, homicide detective, or I.A.B officer. But I have tattoos. I passed two police exams but because I have tattoos I don't think I can get picked. Should I find a different profession or keep going for what I want to do.
Hi Sharquita,
If you were passed over for the tattoos, that is interesting. Are your tattoos visible all the time? If you have tattoos that are able to be covered up while interviewing and working, then I would do so. I have 2 myself and they are not visible if I wear a shirt with sleeves, which I do. I cover them when working and it does not effect my job at all.
I would look at trying to get a job in what you want. When you go for any kind of testing or interview or other contact with the potential employer, I would cover the tattoos as best as you can and see what happens then.
Also there is the option of having them removed. That is if the job is that important to you, more than the tattoos are, then removal is an option. But I like the idea of simply covering them better.
If you have any more questions on this subject or any others relating to Criminal Justice topics, feel free to ask.
Be well and good luck!!
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Answers by Expert:
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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