Careers: Police/Finding A job!

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Expert: - 12/6/2009


Question
QUESTION: OK well thanks for your time, I know you have heard this question a lot but here we go, well all your expertise I'm sure to will be straight forward with me. I'm 24 live in Michigan currently in the police academy with my AA in criminal justice. After the academy in May ill be 25.
DRIVING:
Impeding 2001~
following to close (accident) 2001~ 0 inj./ 0 killed.
defective tires 2001~
seatbelt 2002 Passenger.~
OUIL 2002~
Disobeyed traffic single 2002~
Failed to yield (accident) 2002~0 inj/  0 killed
speeding 2004~
speeding 2006~  
Speeding 2009~
(license was suspended three times between 2002 and 2004 because of alot of points)
Currently record clear+
MILITARY:
In 2008 I received a uncharacterized Discharge from the military three Weeks into basic because of the sudden death of my father, it was a hard time and I was the sole next of  kin. RE-3 reenlistment code.
CRIMINAL:
OUIL 2002 pled guilty.
Domestic Violence 2008 Charge was dropped I was never convicted. And still am with and live with the girl.

So how You know everything as a department will also. What is your opinion on me getting hired? Have I wasted three years of school and almost $20,000 on nothing?
Thank You Brian,



ANSWER: Hey Brian,

I am sorry but you will have a very hard time getting hired with a background like that. The combination of driving and criminal will not be easy to overcome. Have you thought of doing some kind of civilian work in the police field? I doubt very seriously you will get hired as a cop with your past. I am sure you wanted honesty but again I can be wrong and there may be a small agency out there that will take a chance on you.

Hope you appreciate honesty.. be well and stay safe..

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You really think so I meet all of MCOlES standerds for michigan. Almost all my tickets were like eights yrs ago when I was 16 an 17 and so was the ouil. The domestic is only a charge NOT a covicition so what you mean my criminal past it aint that bad. I have seen people on here with worse records than mine an you have said that they still have a chance .

Answer
Hi Brian,

I understand that you may meet the minimum standards. But you have to remember that you will more than likely go up against others for a position that do not have the past you do. You have to look at it like the department would, who is more qualified and who has less of a troubling background.

You may want to read this guide I wrote for people interested in getting into police work:
http://dept.sfcollege.edu/IPS/CEW/So%20you%20want%20to%20be%20a%20cop.pdf
That may help explain it a little more in depth for you and give you some insight in how to make yourself a more appealing applicant.

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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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