Careers: Police/Medical concerns

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Expert: - 3/13/2011


Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I'm in my freshman year in college, majoring in criminal justice. criminal justice has been a passion of mine for several years. However, recently i have begun to worry that my ocd would disqualify me from join the law enforcement.   I hope you can give me some answers.
Thank you!!
Rina

ANSWER: Hi Rina,

You did not ask me anything. :) I need a question if you want me to answer you.

Read this it may answer your question anyway:

https://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/home/the-physical-requirements-pat

If you still do nto see your question answered, let me know.

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

QUESTION: oh my question was would the ocd affect my chances joining a law enforcement career?

Answer
Hi Rina,

Well it really depends on how your OCD affects you. If it is something that affects your ability to function as a police officer or do the tasks of a police officer then yes it would affect your chances. But if it is something that you can control and does not affect you to badly then no it would not prevent you from being a cop. I think a lot of us have OCD to some point. A lot of it depends on how much it affects our daily lives and our work.

I would say that you would have to be evaluated by a doctor that would clear you for police work, and that would be not hard to do depending on how acute your OCD is.

Good luck!! And I hope this helps answer your question. Make sure to read the page on medical exams on that webster I posted in the first response.  

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Chris Wagoner

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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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