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Expert: - 8/9/2008


Question
Hello there I am sponsoring myself through the upcoming academy at Santa Fe. I have two questions that I hope you can answer for me. My first question is how serious are the physical demands for pt? I am not in the best shape, but I have been trying to build some endurance by jogging a mile 5 days a week. Its very hard for me, but I push myself to do it everyday. I really jog at a pretty slow pace and I am worried that this is going to cause me to fail out of the academy. Should I really be this concerned about it or do the instructors work with the recruits? My second question is about the hiring process...I have applied to GPD, but got put on an "eligibility list" UF and ASO are not currently hiring so I have not applied. I am concerned that since I am limiting myself to the agencies in Gainesville that I will have a hard time finding a job because of all the budget cuts. Do ASO/UF hire recruits while there are still in the academy or do they only hire towards the end when they are almost done? Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Regina,

Hi Regina,

I just want to let you know that your question, and many more will be answered on Monday at Orientation. Be sure to be there a little early. I lock the doors when its time.

The PT is done at a rate at which each student, no matter what shape they are in, will improve and benefit. You will be fine. You will be sore at first, but you will be OK.

As for hiring, you can be hired at any time during the academy, and we have recruits get hired at all stages of the certification process. We even have recruiters come to the academy and talk to the recruits, so you will get some exposure that way.

I will see you Monday and answer all your questions in person.

BTW, I think its great you found me on the net. Good job..

Commander Wagoner.

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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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