Careers: Police/Police Training

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Expert: - 3/10/2009


Question
QUESTION: I am inquiring for my son.  He has always wanted to be a police officer ever since he was old enough to say so.  He wanted to work into becoming a SWAT officer.  He is now 18 and has never been in trouble, till now.  His friend was pulled over and they found alcohol which was both of the boys, however, my son claimed it and plead guilty to underage poss. of alcohol.  This will end his dream of becoming any type of law enforcement officer, am I correct?  Is there anything he can do?  He has never been in any type of trouble before this.  I appreciate your time.

ANSWER: Hi Dixie,

No if thats all he has on his record hes fine. I would recommend he go to college for two years to put some time between his and the problem, that would make it even easier.

Read this with him, it will explain a lot of what to do and what not to do to get hired: http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109844

Be well and wish him good luck for me.

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

QUESTION: The link you provided was very insightful, information alot of people wished they had.  My questions is, what type of courses or course study do you recommend that would eventually help him best to achieve his goal of becoming a SWAT member?  We really appreciate your time and your help.  Thanks again in advance.

Answer
Hi again Dixie,

There really are no any "courses" that would help. Being in great physical shape is probably the first thing, then being a good shot with different types of rifles and pistols. I would suggest for him to really stress the physical training and shooting skills with both the rifle and pistol.

Be well and again, good luck..

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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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