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Expert: - 8/5/2009


Question
Chris, I have been working in the Loss Prevention field for 13 years.  I have always wanted to become a Police Officer.  In my earlier years I was out of shape, and lazy, and never took it serious.  With mu job I work with the Police, and the courts so I have an understanding of the job.  I'm 34 years old, and in NY ( where I live) the age cut off is 35.  In the future I want to move to Florida, or out west, where there is no age cut off.  I'm in the process of going to a community college.  My question is does it matter if I get a criminal justice degree?  I know that alot of departments want atleast 2 years of college.  I'm leaning towards a liberal arts degree also.  An you give me some advice on this?  Also, what are education requirements to go through the Police Academy in Florida.  Thanks for your time, and be safe!

Answer
Hey Paul,

Well your right a lot of departments want a 2 year degree now, and some even a 4. But most still have no requirement. As for Florida, there is no age cut off as you said, we get retired military, and others all the time, no problems there as long as you can do the physical stuff that required now. I would recommend that you get a 2 year at least. That will get you in 98% of departments. And as for the academy, in Florida there is no degree requirement to get into or graduate from the academy.

The area of your degree is not really a major concern. I got mine in Criminal Justice of course, but I have seen just about any topic go through the academy, so pick something your interested in and you think will make you more marketable to an agency in the future.

Be well and feel free to ask any more questions you may have...  

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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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