Expert: Chris Wagoner - 5/14/2009

Question
Sir,
Hello my name is Michelle. I am majoring in Criminal Justice, going to ge my masters in it. In my Criminal Law class we have been asked to conduct an interview on someone of experience in the field of study I choose. It would be an honor if you could help me on this interview by answering some questions. I have writers block and hope none of the following sound to stupid. If there is questions you would like to add that I forgot to ask, please feel free to add them. Sir I hope you can help. I could do this local but we have to police officers in my town and they are busy all the time.

1. Do you feel that law enforcement is given the credit they deserve (all the lifes you save and hours put it on keeping us safe) in society?

2. What are your thoughts on "Terrist in America" (Do you feel it's more true terrorists and someone exercising their right to free speech?) Hope these make sense..I get word vomit, lol.

3. How many arrests are made of persons under age 18 in a week/month?

4. What are your feelings on use of the taser gun? Your opinion of the Pros and Cons on it being used. (I'm for it)

5. What made you want to dedicate your life to protecting/safing lives? Your inspriration for doing what you love? You put your life on the line to serve and protect strangers. What is it that drives you to do this?

6. Do you feel all law enforcement is good? I ask this because recently their are more stories on "Cops gone bad". What are your thoughts on this question?

7. Any advice you would give to a law enforcement officer just starting? Things to remember or not do?

8. Why do you feel so many people have issues on trusting their local police force?

9. What would you outlaw if you are in control of a monarchy?

10. I've noticed alot of people confusing criminal profiling with stereotyping, they act like when an officer is trying to solve a crime, he's "stereotyping in a predjudice way, instead of profiling the right way.What's your opinion on this? (I feel predjudice is used as an excuse to much towards officers).

11. What do you feel it would take to restore Americans faith in an honest government? (It's a question i've heard often)

12. What was the most odd or frightening experience you have ever encountered with a criminal?

13. People often say we do not lack laws but we lack enforcement. What do you think?

14. What do you think are the two most important issues for the government to address?

I understand Sir, if this is to much and you may not have the time to get to this. And I hope these questions don't seem to dumb, I just wanted to ask good questions.

Thank you again for your help in advance!
Sincerely,
Michelle W.


Answer
Hi Michelle,

Happy to help.

1. Do you feel that law enforcement is given the credit they deserve (all the lifes you save and hours put it on keeping us safe) in society?

Well to tell you the truth, I think we don't do it for the credit (although its nice once and a while for someone to say thank you) but I have been doing it because I know that I can make a difference in some peoples lives. I have had the good fortune to be a cop for more than 28 years, and I have to honestly say I have loved everyday of it. I have met thousands of people, both good and bad, and have been able to save peoples lives in many different ways. When I go home at night, I can at least say I help my fellow man today, how many jobs can say that? Not a lot.

2. What are your thoughts on "Terrorist in America" (Do you feel it's more true terrorists and someone exercising their right to free speech?) Hope these make sense..I get word vomit, lol.

I know what you meant. :) We do have terrorist in the US, but we also have people that are branded a terrorist and are not. Freedom of speech and our other basic freedoms are what make this country so great and different than other countries. I think its OK for someone to voice their feelings, even if I disagree with them, as thats why we have a free society and a great nation, people are allowed to voice themselves as long as they do not hurt others in the doing of it.

3. How many arrests are made of persons under age 18 in a week/month?

Ahhhh for this one I would have to research with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Statistics. They have those facts and figures. You can go there for this one if you like. http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm#findings

4. What are your feelings on use of the taser gun? Your opinion of the Pros and Cons on it being used. (I'm for it)

I think its great. It has saved so many officers and suspects from being injured. Check this out: http://www.taser.com/company/pressroom/Documents/Injury%20Reduction%20Stats%20PU...


5. What made you want to dedicate your life to protecting/safing lives? Your inspriration for doing what you love? You put your life on the line to serve and protect strangers. What is it that drives you to do this?

A very good question. I did it because of my families values. My father served in WW2, My brother served in Viet Nam and as a police officer, and I felt an inner pull to be a cop. I wanted to do something that was going to benefit my community and country, and at the same time, not be boring or the same thing day after day.

6. Do you feel all law enforcement is good? I ask this because recently their are more stories on "Cops gone bad". What are your thoughts on this question?

Ever profession, law enforcement included has its "bad apples". We try very hard to weed them out because they give the rest of us a really bad reputation and it takes years of trust building to make up for the actions of one single stupid police officer.

7. Any advice you would give to a law enforcement officer just starting? Things to remember or not do?

Listen to people and let them tell you what they feel. Also NEVER rush into things without first stopping and taking just a second to look around and listen. you may see or hear something that you would have missed had you rushed right into the fight.

8. Why do you feel so many people have issues on trusting their local police force?

Mostly from the fact nonowner want to be bossed around or have someone tell them what to do. And thats what police officer do, they tell people what to do a lot. Also from traffic tickets. No one like to get a ticket and that is the most prevalent way people meet the police, when they get stopped in their car and get a ticket.


9. What would you outlaw if you are in control of a monarchy?

I would outlaw stupidity. :) Just kidding. I would not outlaw anything. Outlawing it does not mean people will not get it or have it. Sometimes it means only the bad guys have it. So by outlawing things, your only helping the law abiding people who will follow the law you made. Bad guys don't care what's outlawed, they still get it or do it anyway.

10. I've noticed allot of people confusing criminal profiling with stereotyping, they act like when an officer is trying to solve a crime, he's "stereotyping in a predjudice way, instead of profiling the right way.What's your opinion on this? (I feel predjudice is used as an excuse to much towards officers).

Well if little green ladies were blowing themselves up in our malls, we would start looking at little green ladies a little harder, as would everyone else, correct? You have to use certain criteria to be able to target specific crimes. Did you know that 98% of all child predators are white men? Well is thats the case and I am looking for them, I don't go into a black neighborhood to look for them. So at times you have to use the information you have to do the task you have been assigned. Yes its a lame issue that many use to try and say we are discriminating against this or that group. We don't everyones green to us. :)


11. What do you feel it would take to restore Americans faith in an honest government? (It's a question i've heard often)

Starting over. Remove everyone in government (House, Seneate, and President, Supreme Court) and start with new fresh never been there before people.

12. What was the most odd or frightening experience you have ever encountered with a criminal?

Being shot at and being stabbed. Lets just say they both scared the you know what out of me.

13. People often say we do not lack laws but we lack enforcement. What do you think?

I agree. Only law abiding citizens follow the laws, there are not enough police officers to address every problem. If there were then we would have a lot more than we have now.

14. What do you think are the two most important issues for the government to address?

Our open borders (where anyone can cross whenever they want) and our Airports and Water Ports security.