Careers: Police/Driving Record

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Expert: - 8/12/2011


Question
Hi, I've been wanting to be a police officer for a few years now, Im in my senior year of high school right now. My question is if i have a careless driving charge and an exhibition driving ticket on my record will i be able to be an officer? In my state (north Dakota) Careless driving IS NOT a criminal misdemeanor it's simply a traffic violation. I dont want to go for law enforcement for 3 semesters only to find out the 4th semester that i dont qualify for the program? I've never got into any other trouble with drinking or drugs, its simply a few tickets.

Answer
Sorry for the delay in answering you.

If that is all you have you should be fine. We do not have "exhibition driving" in Florida, but we do have drag racing. is that what it was? If so that will not stop you being a cop but they will ask you to clarify and explain it during the background interview.

Most agencies want you to have some years, at least 2 some want 5, between your last citation and your application date. Some others do not really have a set date but base it on a case by case evaluation.

If you are not sure how it will affect the agency you apply to, the best thing to do is call and ask to speak to one of the background investigators and they will let you know what they allow and don't.

Be well and stay safe..

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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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