Careers: Police/FWC

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Expert: - 12/31/2009


Question
Hello Commander Wagoner,

I'm 21 years old and interested in becoming an officer with FWC. I have a GED and no college yet. I live in North Central Florida. I'm getting mixed advice from friends and family. Some are telling me to join the Army for 4 years and obtain a Bachelors' degree and then proceed with FWC career. Others tell me that I could do just as well without joining the Army. Do you think I would have a better chance at becoming an FWC officer if I had a military background or would a degree in the civilian world work just as well. I don't have a problem with joining the military, however my goal is to become a part of FWC. Could you also advise me of the steps that I would have to take to pursue FWC. Would I go to a local police academy first or to their academy, if they have one. I've also heard that it's very hard to get hired on with FWC, do you know this to be true ? I would really appreciate all of your advice.
Thank You, Jonathan


Answer
Hi Jonathan,

Your friends telling you that you stand a better chance if you have military behind you are correct. Also the Degree would be a plus that would put you out ahead of many other applicants.

I highly recommend that you consider joining the military, it will give you veterans preference points, and great training for FWC. Also a degree will be almost a necessity if you want to get hired in the future or get promoted. So I suggest getting some college while you are in the military and killing two birds with one stone.

Also FWC has their own academy in Tallahassee at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.

As for how hard it is to get hired, its a job that a lot of people want, and they only have so many positions. So you have to be more valuable to them then the next person. And a better applicant.

Read this and it will help also:http://dept.sfcollege.edu/IPS/CEW/So%20you%20want%20to%20be%20a%20cop.pdf

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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