Careers: Police/Police Officer

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Expert: - 5/6/2010


Question
Hi Mr. Wagoner, I appreciate you answering my previous question about the State Trooper or Police Officer. But the question that I have for you today is becomming an officer of the law, is the statement "Its not what you know its who you know!" true? Because I was conversating with an individual the other day and he was telling me how he went through 6 interviews with 5 different police departments. Most of them from lake county but a couple from orange county. And he was telling me that he went through the whole interviewing process and yet he never got a call back from anyone. Now I know some police departments have their choice over who they would think which canadate would be perfect for the job, but 6 different departments? I do want to further pursue my career as being an officer of the law, but before i go through the grueling process of the Tavares law enforcement academy, I want to know that I am being chosen for my acedemics and not by who I know. Again I want to thank you very much for responding to my previous question in a quick manner and by answering the question dead on.

Answer
Hi David,

Its not who you know anymore, if it was 10-15 years ago I would say that was more of the case. Today, its not so much. That is not to mean it does not happen now and then that a person gets a shot because they are someones son or daughter or family member. But it does not hurt to have current or former police officers as your references since thats the kind of people that will be checking on you.

You are competing for a job. Your performance on many things is taken into consideration when you apply to an agency. If you have all the things they want, and someone else does also, and they have the District Commander down as a reference, well all equal then they will more than likely go with the Commanders recommendation, that is just normal. But as for choosing someone over someone of lesser placement based on who you know? That is not the case in most places and these times. It may still happen now and then, but rarely. If that person has applied that many times and never received a call back, then there is something in his past that is stopping his application before he even gets started.

Be well and stay safe..

Careers: Police

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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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