You are here:

Careers: Police/Law enforcement question

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/17/2009


Question
I will be graduating with my AA in March 2010.  I have just moved out of state to a new area. I would either like to start of in probation as I have two very young children before continuing on to an officer and hopefully a detective.
I have been looking at the different areas of Law Enforcement. Most departments I have looked at state that they do and employment check.  When I was younger, I did not stay places very long. Do I need to include them in my application? What should I do if I do not remember when I was employed there? I have one that was 1 day, some a few weeks, others are months and years. I'm not sure how I would do this.
Also, my city department uses an obstacle course for their "fitness" exam. 1 lap around gym, hurdles, wall, dummy pull, etc.  How could I train physically for this to pass in the time limit?     

Thank you for your time~
  Ashlyn

Answer
Hi Ashlyn,

The employment check is an easy one. If its on your Social Security list of jobs, you should list it on your job application. You would be surprised what is on there, I was surprised about some of the things I missed or had not thought of.

As for the physical part, that is easy, just do basics, push ups, sit ups, jogging, squats and working on your upper body strength. One thing that I have my recruits do before they even get in the academy and while they are in is work on holding a half gallon milk container filled about half way with water out at shoulder height with each arm until you can't hold it anymore. DO this several times (5-8# each arm while watching TV in the evening. It will build the strength in your upper body, shoulders and arms). Hold it out to your sides and straight out in front of you. Simple, cheap and very effective.

You should do this for at least 30-45 days before trying the test. The longer ahead you begin to practice the better off you will be.

Good luck and stay well>!!  

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.