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Careers: Police/Am I Still Eligable for Police Academy?

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Expert: - 1/8/2012


Question
Hi, My name is Aloysia McPherson and all my life I've wanted to become a police officer. right now I' am studying for my G.E.D. My test is on the 14th of February 2012. my life has not been easy one.
I have been through a lot during the 25 years i have been on this earth.my concern is that back in 2008 i got arrested but not charged(the disposition was No Information Filed)with domestic battery (A misdemeanor)then three years later i filed for expungement which was right a way was granted by
the Honorable Bernie McCabe at the state attorney's office. I was just 20 at the time of the arrest. my goal is to go to the allstate center at St.Petersburg college and to complete my studies in criminal justice after i get my G.E.D. will this hurt my chances of becoming a police officer in the future.

Answer
Hello Aloysia,

Your arrest will not stop you from applying or be an automatic DQ, but you will need to get some more education to be able to compete with the other applicants. Having aa GED is great and I am glad your getting it but you need to get some college to help your chances.

Read this link very carefully for the rules to quailfy in Florida:
http://archive.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_S  

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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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