Careers: Police/Police Academy

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Expert: - 8/31/2008


Question
Hi, can you please give me your opinion on my question? With you teaching the academy and your other background I thought you would be the perfect person in trying to answer my question. Iam 33 years old live in Ohio and 8 yrs. ago I plesd no contest to an assault charge which I was convicted of a (not domestic) Misdmr. assault and jail was suspended and maybe 3 yr. not allowed to have anything else on record. I have 2 daughters and their stepmom was hitting them frequently which I do not believe in this sort of punishment and do not hit my children. I did not hurt their stepmom as we both shoved each other and the cops said the only reason I was charged is because she called the cops and reported this before I had. Anyways, Iam in school..Criminal Justice and have been on the deans list everytime with all A's and Iam also a security officer. What Iam trying to do is get into the New Orleans police academy (they are recruiting) but Iam not sure if this will stop me. Iam willing to relocate and do whatever it takes in order to pursue my career! I want more than anything to have a career in Law Enforcement! I just hope that my past does not ruin my future goals in this field. Please help! Thank you, Rebecca

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

A Misd. arrest like you describe, will not be a problem. You should be able to get a job as a cop.

Just be honest and make sure you explain it when asked. Tell them you learned from it and it was a mistake you made, but you have learned since then and you would not do it the same way now that you know what you do.

Be well...

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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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