You are here:

Careers: Police/questions about getting into law enforcement

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/5/2008


Question
My name is Josh.  I served in the Air Force for four years and recently separated honorably.  Its been a dream of mine to be a state highway patrolman or any type of law enforcement officer.  My father has been in law enforcement for 25+ so, you could say its in my blood.  He has many counterparts/personal friends within many different agencies as well as the highway patrol.  He has told me that he has contacted them and they are readily awaiting my application.  My father knows personally the Master Trooper in charge of accepting new recruits.  My first question is do you think since my father has these contacts and he is talking to them about me wanting to be a highway patrolman recruit, from your knowledge on the way law enforcement offices work, do I have a better chance than most of getting accepted? I am currently in the process of filling out the longest application EVER and there is part of the application that asks questions about my past history.  A lot has changed in my life growing up I never was in trouble with the law and have no record/no traffic violations.  However, when I was younger (17-18) I was kind of hanging around a rebellious crowd.  Alcohol and drugs were in the mix.  I tried pot, cocaine and even meth all of which I am not proud of.  All of these I didn't use regularly.  But after college when I joined the Air Force it changed my life.  I know because of the polygraph examination that the truth will have to surface, So my question is do you think this slip up I had when I was younger affect my chances of getting accepted in to trooper school.

I really appreciate you taking the time to read these lengthy questions.

Thanks,
Josh

Answer
Hi Josh,

WOW! Can you apply at my academy?? Your past will not affect you as long as it was not heavy usage. Sounds recreational and occasional. If thats is the case your fine. I don't see any problem.

You also have a big plus with your Dad and his contacts. Take advantage of them. It will help.

Thank you for your service to our country.

Be well and safe..

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.