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Careers: Police/Taking Pictures of Police Cars

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Expert: - 3/15/2011


Question
Hi!I want to go to my local police station and ask if I could take some pictures of some of the department's squad cars that sit behind the station.This has been a hobby of mine for several years now.I just don't know the best way to approach/ask this.

Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hi Alex,

Great question as I know many people collect or trade these images. I would simply find the webpage of your local department, and find a contact on the page for someone in the Administration like a Major or Capt. Send them a nice e-mail explaining that you collect images of police cars and would like to get permission to take a few pictures of the cars they have at the station. I think if you ask that way they may be nice about it and tell you to simply call and make an appointment or stop by and tell them you checked with so and so.

Have you thought of getting some shots of the cars when they are out and about? There is no law against taking a picture of a police car, and if you were to walk up and ask the officer/deputy first (nicely of course)and explain why, I bet they would not have a problem with it. I wouldn't if you simply asked first.

Give those a try or if you tell me the department maybe I can tell you who to try and contact.

Be safe.,.

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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!!

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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.

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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..

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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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