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Expert: - 1/8/2011


Question
Hi wonder if you can help, my name is Craig Grimmer and im a Corperal with in the British Army where iv done 12 years,im 32 now and a full qulaified Weapon specilist. medic, unit search etc, i deal in teaching weapons at the moment withing the Army and qulaified in almost every weapon, American french, German, British, Russian and Chinese. I deal in small arms as well pistols, and heavy weapons teaching my unit which is the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, i am wondering about moving to America with these qqualifications and thinking of Police or either SWAT and would like heads up on how to go about it and also with being a forigner and worked with Americans within Iraq and Afghan the process of doing so, i would be very gratefull for your time on this matter

Craig Grimmer

Answer
Craig:

 The first thing you'll have to do is to basically get a 'right to work' permit for this country (known still as a 'green card').  Once you obtain that, your experience will be of great value to a large metropolitan agency on either coast, you just have to decide which one you want to work at.  The process will be slow, and at times frustrating...but it IS 'do-able'.  I know several folks from the UK who are currently working in the US, in law enforcement, but they've all told me that it takes time to get approved, go through the background process, etc.  The biggest hurdle seems to be getting the right to work permit to come to the US. Once that is done the rest is just the normal 'hurry up and wait'.   

Hope that helps some!

Jason

Careers: Police

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Jason Grabill

Expertise

General Maryland Law Enforcement, Maryland Law & Traffic Law, the Court System. How to start the process to become a Police Officer, different Police careers, the Interview process, General Police career questions

Experience

18 Years experience as a local and Federal Police officer. In addition to working "the road", I've worked as an Academy Instructor, Law Digest Compiler for Police Department, Community Policing coordinator, Department Gang officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and Advanced Accident Investigator. I've also served on the SWAT/SRT team, and currently work for the Department of Army Police (Federal Civilian) at Fort Detrick, Frederick Md, as a Sergeant. I'm Certified as a Police and Emergency Medical dispatcher through the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.

Organizations
Police Marksman Association Fraternal Order of Police

Education/Credentials
South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy
Prince Georges County Maryland Municipal Police Academy, Western Maryland Police Academy
Radar, Portable Breath Test, PR-24 Police Baton, ASP, Police Mountain Bike Certified. Maryland Police Training Commission Basic Instructor Certified. CALEA Certified Field Training Officer (FTO), Advanced Criminal Investigator School, Advanced Crash Investigator School, National Academies of Emergency Dispatch Certified Emergency Police Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Telecommunications Operator.

Awards and Honors
Police Officer of the Year, Prince Georges County Municipal Police Chiefs Association (1995).
City of District Heights Police Officer of the Year, 1995.
Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, 1995 (National Association Chiefs of Police).

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