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Careers: Police/Becoming a Police Officer in Florida

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Expert: - 9/16/2008


Question
Hi Chris,

Wondering if you can help me. I am currently a foreman/supervisor with a major communications company in the world. I currently reside in a suburb of Chicago and my wife and I are looking to relocate to Plantation Florida. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to become a Police Officer. After High School, I went to a community college here, and only completed 30 credit hours. Working full time and going to school at night was too much at 19 years old. I have currently been employed with the "Phone Company" for 7 1/2 years and looking to change careers. While looking in Southern Florida for job opportunities, I see some openings for Police Officers. One being your old location, Broward County. I do not plan on trying to obtain my degree in the next year so how does getting to be certified work. Is there a website or something you can send to me in email that will outline what I need to do to get started in the pursuit of a career in law enforcement for Florida? I see the local colleges do something as far as getting certified, is that correct? If so, how much does it cost, roughly? Here in Chicago, there used to be hundreds of people that would test for the various departments, and now, there is not too many people interested anymore. How is it in Florida, are there a lot of people going into this field? Am I looking to get a job at a department that is looking to fill one position and 300 people are applying?? Need whatever help you can give me, as I am looking to relocate ASAP. Paying 10% sales tax and $4.50 a gallon of gas in Chicago is getting to me while living in a 900sf house for 250k.

Answer
Hi Ryan,

"Need whatever help you can give me, as I am looking to relocate ASAP. Paying 10% sales tax and $4.50 a gallon of gas in Chicago is getting to me while living in a 900sf house for 250k." WOW! I understand why you would want to move, plus that nasty white stuff in the Winter!! Brrrrr :)

Really, in Florida you go through a community college to get certified. There are 38 law enforcement academies in Florida. But not all are as good or big as some of the others. Broward, where your thinking of going is one of the bigger and better ones. You also can put yourself through, or get hired and let an agency pay you and your way (of course the best way).

Here are some links that will help you out.

This will give you some of the basic information about being a cop in Florida:  http://www.policecareers.org/

Here is a link to the Selection centers (they prescreen for the academies and law enforcement agencies)
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/training_resources/selectioncenter.html

Here is a link to all the Academies in Fla:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/training_resources/training_centers.html

If after checking that stuff out you still have questions, feel free to ask.

Be well and good luck!

Careers: Police

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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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