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Question
Hey Mr. Wagoner,
I just have a few questions for you about joining Fwc, I am currently 18 years old about to graduate high school and i would love to be an officer with fwc. People say that you need to go to the millitary to have the best chances to get in. But im wanting to go to college and get my associates in criminal justice, then going to the police academy and being a police officer then transfering over to fwc later. i was just wanting to get your prospective on things. Im just wondering if i could get in like that. If not could you give me some advice on what i should do if i dont want to join the millitay? And how long should i be a police officer before submitting my application for fwc?
Good afternoon Chris,
FWC won't even look at you until you're at least 21 years of age. One of two things will get you hired with FWC, either having a degree or having military background. The decision as to which of those two route you want to go is probably yours but I highly recommend that you can actually do both. That would put you above and at the head of the line when it came to applicants if you had both. With the war in Iraq closing down and our troops coming home the opportunities for stateside service or service and other areas other than Afghanistan are increasing and you will not see as many deployments nor will you see as many combat frontline troops as previous to the Iraq drawdown.
While in the military I was able to obtain a lot of credit hours that later on help me achieve my college three once I got out of the military.
If you don't want to join the military than I highly suggest that you get a four-year degree prior to applying to FWC as you will be competing against other people some of them who have two year degrees some who have four year degrees and some web both military and a degree.
The more marketable you make yourself more likely you are to be hired. Any additional licenses you can acquire between now and the time that you apply will also be helpful. As FWC not only works on land but also water, getting a scuba diving certification and or a boating piloting license of some sort would be extremely helpful thing that have.
Hope these ideas help.
Be well and stay safe.
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Answers by Expert:
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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