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Expert: - 9/11/2009


Question
I am 31 years old and am looking to change careers into law enforcement. I've tested with a few agencies and scored really well (in the 90's). But there's a problem. When I was 18 I got in trouble with the law. In 1997 I was arrested for 2 counts of theft felony/dealing in stolen property.

I take full responsibility for my poor decision-making and immaturity, as well as my lack of foresight and judgment. I am ashamed, remorseful, embarrassed and regretful of my conduct during my youth in high school. My punishment was 12 months probation. I never plead no contest to the charge and had adjudication withheld. Since then I have had my record expunged. I have went to school for criminal justice as well as stayed out of trouble since my one and only brush with the law. Also I have gotten my permit to carry a conceal weapon in FL. I have never lost my civil rights such as voting or gun ownership.

I have overcome my discipline problems, my immaturity and my lack of good judgment. I have reformed my behavior and matured greatly since the time of these infractions. I have become a responsible and productive individual, in both my professional and personal life. I have the highest devotion and desire to serve my state as a law enforcement officer. I have exerted a great deal of effort in order to correct my mistakes and have been continuously improving myself.

I wanted to know if I should continue to go forth with my efforts to become a LEO or am I just going to run into a dead end. Also if anyone has any ideas or guidance to helping me with my questions.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi John,

While I am very glad you have improved yourself so much, and changed for the better it appears, I have to be honest with you, your chances are not good.

You were arrested for felony theft. Most agencies, regardless of the length of time passed, will not hire someone that has a felony in their background involving a theft. Its a matter of honesty. While I have no doubt you have changed and are a very good person and really have changed, if an agency hired you, and you did something that was illegal, your background would make you a target of lawyers and the press. You can guess how they would treat it.

Thats why they are not willing to take a chance on you. They have so many people applying right now because of the economy, they can pick those that have a cleaner background.

I hope you wanted an honest opinion, but your chances right now are not good. Your only chance is with a small department that does not have that many applicants. Even then your chances are slim.

I wish you well and commend you on your personal journey to bettering yourself.

CW

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Chris Wagoner

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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!!

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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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