Careers: Police/Calisthentics

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Expert: - 9/21/2008


Question
Sir, I was a pilot US Army 1968-72, then went to fly Commercial operations for air carriers. I have also flown  for the DEA (Contract Pilot)in Guatemala 1991 to 1994 (My career highlight was being on "Cops-DEA Special").I am now an Airline Transport Pilot(RW) but would like to change careers and be a Deputy Sheriff. I believe I can pass the academics, weapons, and driving, but am a little concerned about calisthentics. The DEA required 50 push ups, 60 situps, and running 1 1/2 miles in around 15 minutes (For my age level then).I know there are academies I could go to that don't do calisthentics, but you have a top ranked academy. A career would be easier to get into were I to graduate from SFCC. I'm 58 and would like to start in January or the next academy after that. Would you be so kind as to give me an idea as to what the PT/calisthentics are at SFCC so I may spend the next three months getting prepped? Or tell me to go to a non-calisthentics academy with the older folks. I respect your opinion, thank you for your time, and thank you for serving your community.

Answer
Hi Robert,

Thank you for your service to your country. As for PT, if you are in fair shape, you will be fine at ours. There is no set required number for any exercise, you just have to show improvement. So to get ready, just do basic calisthenics. We test three times during the academy and all you have to do is show improvement, not make a certain score.

Since you already know our next class starts in Jan, then you have done a little research and know you need to get your application information packets in soon for that class.

You will do fine, effort is better than a score.

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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