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Expert: - 1/4/2009


Question
Hello, Mr. Wagonner

I'm currently attending my second year of college. I've always been determined to make something out of myself being that I've come from a lifetime of negativity. My passion has always been for the Criminal Justice field, mostly Homicide; but I've been told I must at least be an on road cop for a number of years first. Here's the problem, I'm only 20 years old facing an unplanned pregnancy, I don't regret anything but now I'm more determined than ever to put school on pause and become an officer in Jacksonville, Florida. Of course once I have the baby(in 4 months) which will make it late spring beginning summer time. Therefore I'm researching now to get started that way I can become a better more responsible adult/mother to my child. So my questions to you are 1. How do i get started? 2. Is being an on road cop first true before entering Homicide? 3. If officer is not an option at my age, Is there anything close to this field I can do with the choice of putting college on pause?

Answer
Hi Jessica,

Good for you on your plans. I think you show a lot of maturity and thats a good thing.

20 is not to young to get started. I would suggest that you start out by applying to departments around you for a position. If they have a 21 year old age limit, I might suggest a position in communications (911) or a filed service technician. This gets your foot in the door until you turn 21 and it provides experience and they get to know you in return.

You get started by looking at the requirements for becoming a police officer in Florida (FSS 943.13) and what background items might give you problems. I wrote a few post on a forum that may be of help to you to get a better idea of what you need to think about:

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107693

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107693

After reading those you may want to read some of the post in the Florida section of the board:

http://forums.officer.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=150

Good luck and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

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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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