Expert: Chris Wagoner - 5/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: I want a law enforcement career, i recently called the police station and asked how i could become a cadet. they said cadets are just "gofers", unsworn officers and it would be a longer process. They suggested the George Stone Technical Center (police academy) in Pensacola Florida. The down fall to that is that i would have to pay for it myself, wouldn't get paid while I'm there and it's not a guarantee that someone will hire me after i finish and get state certified. what do you think is the best route?

Note: I don't have a college degree and i would rather pay for the academy that will teach me things that would be valuable for the state exam.

ANSWER: First Julissa,

I am very sorry for taking so long to answer. I have been working straight 10 hour days.

Well if you don't have the funds there is student aide available at all the colleges. Also some have scholarships and some will work with you on other sources of funding. We have a group called FloridaWorks that helps with paying for certain students. (www.floridaworksonline.com). Also you can try and get hired by an agency and have them put you through, but in these economic times you can guess it will be pretty hard to find a opening that they will pay you to go to the academy. Almost all of them other than FHP and FWC want already certified or at least academy graduates for the applications.

If you looking for an academy that has a good record on the state exam there are the top three you can go to. Santa Fe, Pat Thomas and Broward. Those are the top three consistently in state exam scores (although there are a few that are really close to those).

I hope those ideas help. Again sorry for the delay but I have been in front of a class for 10 hours a day non-stop for 2 weeks.

Be well and feel free to ask another if you want, I will not take so long next time as I am done with this current class tomorrow at noon!! Yay!! :)

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

QUESTION: Now the questions/ scenarios you get all the time:

1. What is the florida state law about someone who has smoked marijuana? Lets say 5 times or less in college (3 yrs ago) and ONCE in a forgein country, lets say within a year of the time they enroll in the academy?

2. Stolen from a job, at the age of 17?

3. Family sells drugs in a foreign country?

example: arizona state is 2 years prior to applying for job. under 21 at the time that it was done. and Seven times or less and it was experimental.

Note: all these things dont make a bad person, just poor judgement when i was younger. would this disqualify me? coming from a professional point of view, what is your advice?

Answer
Julissa,

With the things you list, especially the "family sells drugs in a foreign country" you would be disqualified from employment as a police officer. I would suggest talking to an agencies background investigator to confirm this, but I do not think you chances are very good.

Be well and good luck in whatever you choose.