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Expert: - 9/30/2008


Question
i am a 22 year old who served in the marines for 4 years. i was wounded by a ied blast in iraq. the marines let me stay in to fulfill my contract but seperated me with a medical discharge. i am hoping that that will not be a negative factor  in me finding a job as a police officer. i have recently took the MCOLES testing here in michigan and passed with flying colors(physical phytness). no one seems to give me a strait answer though so i hope you can. the only reason i was discharged medically was from the ied and the injuries that i sustained so i hope that this will not stop me from been hired. thanks

Answer
Hey Chaim,

Chaim, first and foremost, thank you for your service, from an old Army Infantry Soldier (3rd ID). I respect you for what you have given and done. Been there done that if you know what I mean.

Your medical discharge will not effect you here in Florida, or any other state that I know of.

Florida State Statue 943.13 which governs police standards says "Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States." Which you have not.

It is only a dishonorable that would hurt you. You should be fine as long as you can do the PT, which it sounds like you can.

Just a FYI, I am a disabled vet also, and do just fine. :)

Be well and GOOD LUCK, although I doubt very seriously you will need it. Are you possibly interested in being a police officer in Fla??

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Chris Wagoner

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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!!

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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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