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Expert: - 8/1/2009


Question
Commander Wagoner,
I am currently going in to my freshman year of college and plan to graduate in 4 to 5 years with a masters in Criminal Justice focused in policing followed by hopeful employment in Texas.  Seeing as you have personal expertise regarding to the Academy, I was wondering what you would suggest as to exercise programs leading up to the academy.  I have my general workouts where i tend to jog  2-3 miles a day and weights every other day.  However, should i decrease the distance and train at the mile and a half, or continue at my current program for best results?
Your point of view on this subject is greatly appreciated,
Brad


Answer
Hi Brad,

Your way ahead of the game already. Most come to the academy with no physical preparation at all. If you can run (without stopping) 1.5 miles, do 50 push ups, 50 sit ups and run 300 yards in under 3 minutes, your good to go. We also test vertical jump, but that comes with the other stuff.

You need to be able to run, have upper body strength, and be able to have stamina.

The academy consist of a mandatory 60 hours of physical training, we add another 40 hours and its 2-3 times a week 2 hours, and then testing three times in 6 months.

Here is the wiki on the Cooper Test - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_test

Good luck, your fine, just work as you have, your way ahead of the game, but don't cut back! :)

Be well

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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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