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Expert: - 2/23/2009


Question
IF U HAVE A FELONY OR PERHAPS TWO CAN U BECOMING ANYTHING PROMINENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERHAPS A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER

Answer
Hi Ebony,

I am sorry but you can not be a convicted felon and possess a firearm, so you can not be a police officer or corrections officer.

Hope that helps.

Be well..

Here is the state law that covers hiring:
To become employed as a certified law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer in Florida individuals must:

Be at least 19 years of age.

Be a citizen of the United States.

Have earned a high school graduate or equivalent (GED). (A bachelors degree is required for correctional probation officers.)

Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.

Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, not-withstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.

Never have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Have good moral character.

Have passed a Commission approved Basic Abilities Test. *

Successfully completed the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program for the respective discipline or equivalency for out of state officers. *

Achieved a passing score on the State Officer Certification Examination. * (Exception: auxiliary officers do not need to take the SOCE).

Have been fingerprinted by the employing agency with prints processed by the FDLE and the FBI.

Successfully passed a background investigation, to include drug testing and financial history.

Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician.
Completed a CJSTC-68 Affidavit of Applicant Form  
(If already a certified officer) Complied with mandatory retraining or educational requirements.  

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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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