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Careers: Police/Future police hopeful

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Expert: - 2/17/2010


Question
Hello.Recently i have decided i want to become a police officer,my intentions are to try for SWAT or the dive team once i have enough time in to request for such.My question is i have a misdemeanor possesion charge on my record.I also have a misdemeanor trespass and assult.I know it sounds like wtf would this dude wanna be a cop for hehe.But they all happened when i was in my early 20's and was young and dumb(making no excuses).

I am now 28 have a wife and son,i feel this is what ive always wanted to do yet never took the time to sit and think about it.What i would like to know is what are the chances of me being hired.I talked to a local police recruiter and he said i could apply even with my past record.But what are my actual chances of being hired?

I thought about maybe joining the Army as an MP that would look good on me when i finally got out and then applied.But i have a family now and really don't wanna spend the next 4 years of my life being sent oversees randomly.I also thought about getting a degree in criminal justice first.If not i plan on applying until i get in no matter how many times i get disqualified,this is my dream now and i refuse to be set back.Any info or stuff i could do to help my chances are appreciated ty.

Answer
Hi John,

The thing is you have to be more appealing to the agency then the next person. If you have A and the next person has B, and the department wants someone with B. Then your not going to be hired.

Read this over real well then you should have a better idea of what to do and what your chances are:
http://dept.sfcollege.edu/IPS/CEW/So%20you%20want%20to%20be%20a%20cop.pdf

Be safe and stay 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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