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Careers: Police/Becoming a park ranger with an expungement on your record

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Expert: - 5/18/2011


Question
I was charged with underage consumption when I was 18. I am interested in working for the national park service and one thing they recommend is becoming a police officer. I have since had the charge expunged. who this hinder me from going through the training and attaining the prerequisites I want to complete to become a park ranger?
Thanks!

Answer
Good morning Tom,

A very minor charge of underage consumption will in no way hinder you from becoming a police officer. If that is the worst thing you have in your background you are way ahead of most applicants. Most applicants these days have either some type of drug use, a bad driving record, or other major issues in their background. Very few people we find who are applying for law enforcement positions have clean records or only very minor things like yours.

Park Ranger is a great job! I have even thought myself of retiring and then taking a Park Ranger position in one of the national parks. What a great job to be able to spend time outdoors and still stay involved in law enforcement.

I recommend that you get at it because the longer that you wait the longer it will take.

Stay safe and be well and good luck.

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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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