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Expert: - 9/24/2009


Question
Hello,
In 1999 I was 18 and got into an argument with my father(we were at odds back then). As I tried to leave the home he tried to stop me and I pushed out of the way(not to the ground, just to side, we were both grabbing onto each other) and left a bruise/scratch on his forearm. While barely visible the police where called and I was arrested for Domestic Battery. I am terribly embarrassed by it and acknowledged to the officer my actions where immature and we had a pretty good conversation about it. I did not plead guilty and my case was dismissed. Since then I have kept a full-time job(and am an account manger) and payed my way through college taking night classes. I recently finished and received a B.A this summer. I have never been in trouble before or after this incident. I am seriously contemplating attending the local Law Enforcement certification program, however this arrest does exist and I would obviously be honest about it since they would know anyway. My question after all of that is, Do I stand a chance of employment? I have checked the codes for Law Enforcement in Florida but there does not appear to anything specific to this. Should I just contact the certification school? Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi I.,

You were arrested not convicted. That is the key. Your explanation is very logical and if you can get a letter from your father and a copy of the police report to have just in case you need it you will be fine. I do not see an issue with it.

Good luck and 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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