You are here:
Careers: Police/police oath
Advertisement
Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr. Wagoner,
First of all I'd like to thank you for providing answers in your free time. I have asked you questions before and you have always been a great help.
I'm writing a scene in which police recruits take the police oath. Unfortunately I cannot find any information on the graduation ceremony.
Could you please describe (including ranks of people who take the oath from the recruits) how this is done? Where is it done? And what is commonly said? Are there any festivities afterwards?
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help.
Kind regards,
Esther
ANSWER: Hi Esther,
Well in most cases the Chief, Deputy Chief and Majors are present. Along with the new officers family members.
The new officers line up and the Chief has them raise their right hand and repeat the Oath of office:
"I do solemnly swear; that I am a citizen of Florida and the United States of America, and I will support, protect, and defend the Constitutions of the United States and of Florida; I will faithfully perform my duties, enforcing the law fairly with all due courtesy, discretion, and compassion; I will conduct myself with integrity befitting my agency and the law enforcement profession; I will abide by all lawful orders issued by my superiors and the rules and regulations of the Department, so help me God."
Afterwards they sometimes have a reception, depending on the department.
If you have anymore questions let me know.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response, Mr. Wagoner!
Could you please tell me what is commonly said during the beginning of the graduation ceremony as introduction (before they take the oath?)
Thank you!
Esther
Hi Again Esther,
The normal protocol is to welcome everyone, then introduce the departmental dignitaries, and then the officers being given the oath. Its a very simple short ceremony, last all of 10 minutes maybe, depending on the number of people. Last time I was sworn in (where I am now) it was just me and it took all of 5 minutes.
If you want a whole dialogue I can give you one, but it would take a day or two. I am teaching all day tomorrow and have a new recruit class of 42 to take care of. So it would be a day or two.
Be well and God Bless..
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.