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Expert: - 12/19/2009


Question
Commander Wagoner,I'm 41 years old and for the last 4 months i have been applying for different Correctional Officer Trainee positions  here in Central Florida (i live in ocala).I currently have a job that i have been at for 18 years but i have always been interested in Law Enforcement and would like to transition over to that field so I'd actually have a career and not just a job.I had applied for Correctional officer positions when i was in my 20's,But at that time my driveing record wasn't good and i believed that keep me from being considered.I was wondering if You could tell me what the difference is between working Corrections for the State And working Corrections for the County And what Chances i have Of succeeding in obtaining employment in the correctional field,With today's job landscape being what it is and with so many people looking for employment.Thanks for the Help.

Answer
Hi Johnnie,

The correctional field is wide open these days. The state correctional positions are very good, and they have great benefits. Also chances for transferring between facilities. County Corrections works for the Sheriff of the county and also is a great job. I guess its which you prefer and whats available in your area.

Your age can be a help and a hindrance in getting hired. Some agencies will look at your age as good as it gives you maturity and experience. Others may consider your age a negative but I don't think many will.

Since you live in Ocala, have you looked at applying to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for corrections?

Its a great career, you need to get on it and do it though, don't delay.

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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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