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Question
QUESTION: I am going to school to become a police officer and I have a few questions. First of all I was wondering if it is better to have an AA in law enforcement or an AA in criminal justice. Another thing I was wondering about is the different levels, deputy, detective, etc. I tried to look up different levels and how you get to each level but I have had no luck.
Thank you for taking time to answer my questions,
Ariel Misko
ANSWER: Hi Ariel,
It really makes no difference which of those two you get. Either is a good one to have for law enforcement. As for different levels, since you mention deputy, I will give you the Sheriffs' Office levels...
We work in a semi-paramilitary structure with ranks and units. The lowest rank, and most important! is the Deputy. Thats the road officer. You have Deputies that are Detectives also. Then you have a Sergeant who is in charge of 4-8 Deputies, then you have a Lieutenant who has a couple of Sgt.s that work for them. Then you have a couple of Lt.'s that work for a Captain. Then you may have a Major or Colonel that is in charge of several Majors. And then you have the Sheriff who is the Chief of Police of a Sheriffs' Department.
Hope that helps.
Be well and stay safe..
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for answering my question it really helped. When they look at your backround do they look at your siblings past, my sister has gotten in a good amount of trouble and I hope that doesn't DQ me because my sister and I are extremely different from each other.
Hi Ariel,
They do look at your family, but they also understand that not all families are perfect. We all have our family issues. The so called blacksheep of the family as they used to say. If you are different from your sister, then all you have to do is tell them that and they will look into it during your background, a good BI will see it they way you describe it..
Be well and again good luck..
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Answers by Expert:
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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