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Expert: - 5/12/2009


Question
I want to be a police officer in New York City and I am 25 years old. However, after reading the requirements I am skeptical that they will even consider hiring me. While I was in college in the state of GA, I obtained two misdemeanors and that’s the only charges I have accumulated. The first misdemeanor was in 2005 for shoplifting which was my first offense, so it went under the first offender act in GA.  In addition, it doesn’t appear on my criminal history record because of the first offender act. The second misdemeanor was a simple battery charge which got reduced to a disorderly conduct because of a plea of nolo contendre (no contest). Nevertheless, I graduated from college in 2008 with a B.A. degree in Psychology. On the contrary, I know the irony killing you right now. Most importantly, I recognize that I made a mistake and I have leaned from it. Furthermore, it made me a stronger individual because I applied what I leaned in college to better understand my mistakes. I think I would be a great asset to any police department in the state of New York City because I respect and obey the laws of this great Country. Moreover, knowing what caused me to make those mistakes is essential (I was young and stupid).Besides that, I can use that knowledge to prevent crimes and educated the people within my community. In summary, do you really think I have a chance of getting hired as a police officer or I’m just dreaming?

Answer
Hey Johnny,

Well you will never know until you try. It would be better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all and always wonder.

Only NY PD can tell you for sure, but from what you told me you could probably get a job almost anywhere as a cop. Give it a shot, what have you got to lose??  

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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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