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Expert: - 6/15/2010


Question
QUESTION: Ok, so here I go....Im a 35 yr ole Caucasian male, to give you a lil background on myself, I've been a personal trainer nutritionist.
my question is one that has bothered me for yrs I've always felt I should be a police officer, all my friends are and Im out of work, again..anyway I was arrested yrs ago, actaully 14 yrs ago on pretty serious charges and I was found not guilty  in a jury trial..total bullshit charges, low and behold was wondering if 14 yrs can be held against me, not to mention I was found not guilty..My uncle works for homeland security, my best friends from high school are all cops..very good repore with all of them..they would beable to inlighten investigators of my character and material witness to my personal  conduct.

ANSWER: Hi Jarrett,

Not guilty means in the eyes of the courts you did not do it. Whats keeping you from applying besides that? Get on it!! Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank's so much for your timely response....makes me feel betta, oh here's the other thing, how bout tattoo's, you think I would have to cover them up or is that gonna be frowned upon?????

once again thanks...

Answer
Hi Jarrett,

Just a friendly word of advice, don't use words like betta and gonna when sending e-mails to any departments you may apply to.

As for the Tattoo's I have two. As long as you can cover them most departments don't have a problem with them. If they are visible all the time, then check with each individual department for the policy on it before you apply.

Also you may want to read this web page I created on how to become a cop, it applies to all states for the most part, not just Florida.
http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/

Be well, 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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