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About Eric Potts
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.

Experience
I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School Basic Law Enforcement Training Arson Investigators School DARE Officer Training Interview and Interrogation School Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer

   

You are here:  Experts > News/Issues > Law Enforcement > Careers: Police

Questions Answered By Expert  Eric Potts 
In Category  Careers: Police

SubjectDate Asked

Homicide Detective Requirements.9/19/2009
  Q: I have been researching for how to become a homicide detective, and it would be a career I would ...
  A: Meiha, Go to college and work on getting good grades, concentrate your studies to areas that would ...
Army schooling9/1/2009
  Q: Alright, if I go into the army for MP could I learn what I needed to be a police officer when I get ...
  A: Joe, You will still need to attend a Police Academy when you get out of the Army, while you do ...
depression6/1/2009
  Q: Potts, Depression is considered a mental illness. If someone has depression that causes some ...
  A: It is not likely a Police Department will hire someone that is taking medication for depression, ...
Becoming a LEO with a misdemeanor5/31/2009
  Q: I recently have been charged with a DUI (extreme), if convicted will I still be able to become a ...
  A: Adam, I'm not sure I understand what DUI (Extreme) is...does your State have Tiers in DUI ...
Length of Criminal Tresspass Warning5/6/2009
  Q: If someone came on my property and was given a criminal trespass warning, how long is that good for? ...
  A: Kristopher, I can not give you an answer to this question because I do not know Texas law. Each ...
Possible disqualifier for DEA4/30/2009
  Q: In 2004 I chewed on a few coca leaves. I did not know it was illegal but now realize that it was. ...
  A: Adam, I don't know if you would be disqualified at a particular Police Department other then the ...
is this a violation of rights?4/28/2009
  Q: I am to assume that a commercial vehicle (semi truck) would have different privacy laws than a ...
  A: You assume incorrectly, the same rules apply to the truck as any vehicle, the officer has a right to ...
Disqualifications for a Police Officer4/18/2009
  Q: my fiance just turned in his application and I had a couple of questions about disqualifications. He ...
  A: Different Departments look at different things when hiring Police Officers...some put a higher ...
need advice!4/10/2009
  Q: i am currently serving in iraq in the army, i am a mp and i am interested in becoming a civilian ...
  A: Stephen, Your best bet is try to get some college while you are in the Military. Serving in the ...
Hireable?4/8/2009
  Q: I was in the military for approx. 2 years. I was engaged to be married at the time and my then ...
  A: Chris, Anything other than a Honorable Discharge is frowned upon during the hiring process. Be ...
becoming a police officer3/29/2009
  Q: I am a u.s marine and i have been in for 3 years with two deployments to iraq . i am wondering where ...
  A: Bobby, Start looking in places you'd like to live for the local police departments and when they ...
Military Vs police3/26/2009
  Q: Im in a military college and i have an opportunity to contract with the Army and become an Army ...
  A: Shawn, The choice is yours, either way is a good way to become a police officer, and either way ...
dd-214 effects3/20/2009
  Q: I went through most of Marine Corps boot camp, over 2 years ago, I ended up getting an admin ...
  A: Josie, Unfortunately it will greatly effect your chances. Anything less than an Honorable Discharge ...
Hoping you can help me decide.3/20/2009
  Q: My goal my whole life has been to work as a special agent in the FBI, I have worked hard to achieve ...
  A: Tristan, If you are graduating College and the FBI is your ultimate goal, you might consider ...
some questions3/13/2009
  Q: #1 is getting in to the police force or in a station like getting in to the Miltilary? #2 what are ...
  A: Jenna, I'll be honest with you, getting into the Military Police was a lot easier than getting ...
disqualifying factors3/13/2009
  Q: i have always wanted to be a police officer,but fought with a drinking problem.i have been sober for ...
  A: Kris, The only way to find out is to start applying, taking tests, going through the process and ...
Question3/9/2009
  Q: I reside in the state of maine. I am currently enrolled in criminal justice degree I want to become ...
  A: Ken, I do not know the Laws in the State of Maine, I can only speak for NJ and the answer here ...
Benefits of being an MP first then a civilian police officer2/26/2009
  Q: I am an army recruiter and am asked all the time about if the military police education helps ...
  A: Police Departments are "para-military" organizations to begin with so any time spent in the Armed ...
Can I be hired.2/19/2009
  Q: I am 21 years old and my question is do you think I have a chance at becoming a police officer. I ...
  A: Jim, Stealing makes you automatically untrustworthy, if this was to come to light in a background ...
Police2/10/2009
  Q: I am Richard Kennedy I am only 13 and i really would like some help on a road to becoming a police ...
  A: Richard, All those courses sound exciting and will help you go far in life. I would focus on ...
military to police2/10/2009
  Q: i am going to the army and i want to know , if i go to the military and become a military police ...
  A: Antoine, This is a very simple question to answer, because I am asked it very often here on All ...
Developing My Career While In College2/9/2009
  Q: I am currently in a well-known community college in the Metro Detroit area that is highly respected ...
  A: Rick, Check in the area and see if any of the Departments participate in VIPS (Volunteers in Police ...
Police Car lights and stopping2/5/2009
  Q: I was told by a border partol officer that you legally do not have to stop for a vehicle unless it ...
  A: Each State is different in the color of their lights and their requirements. Does Florida have a Red ...
ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL2/3/2009
  Q: I currently live in kyle Texas. I have been wanting to be a police officer for about 10+yrs now, but ...
  A: Jeremy, I'm not sure what advise I can give you. It sounds from your letter that you are doing ...
DUI and becoming a PO1/29/2009
  Q: I am an army veteran who served in Iraq. I have had a wet and reckless charge when I was 18 and a ...
  A: Police Departments will look very closely at someone with a prior DUI on their record and depending ...
seeking advice12/4/2008
  Q: My name is Chris I am 23 year old mechanic who is SERIOUSLY considering changing careers to try to ...
  A: Chris, Unfortunately anything other than an Honorable Discharge is frowned upon, however, you may ...
police work12/3/2008
  Q: I am a senior in highschool finishing up the year and planning for college. i am planning on ...
  A: Dan, Only you can answer that. People don't go into the Police Field planning on getting hurt but ...
military11/26/2008
  Q: I'm twenty years old and I never knew what I wanted to do until very recently and that was to become ...
  A: Certainly serving in the Military can help in your Law Enforcement career and particularly serving ...
Become a police officer11/25/2008
  Q: I'm a retired veteran, 20 yrs. Army/Honorable discharged. Retiring correctional officer, 20 yrs., ...
  A: Baron, I'm assuming your time in the Army was Reservist time/National Guard and not active ...
Questions about Law Enforcement in General.11/19/2008
  Q: How ya doing? Ok well I've got a few questions about Law Enforcement. 1. If I get a bachelors in ...
  A: I will do my best to answer your questions as best as possible, I'll take each one separately. 1. ...
College10/27/2008
  Q: Do you have to go to college before you go to the police academy? Or do you only have to go to the ...
  A: Jon, Most Police Departments today have a 2 year minimum college degree requirement, some waive ...
How Do I?????10/11/2008
  Q: ..PLEASE HELP
  A: Raymond, I would suggest looking in the newspaper for area police departments that are hiring, ...
Infantry to PD10/5/2008
  Q: Mr Potts- First off thank you for your service during your enlistment. It is much appreciated. My ...
  A: I can not speak for all Police Departments, I can tell you that from experience many departments do ...
Just wondering9/28/2008
  Q: The thing is i have a criminal backround from when i was younger and acting stupid. Over the years ...
  A: I don't know about the State you live in, but here in NJ you can not become a Police Officer with a ...
Military Police9/17/2008
  Q: I am 17 years old and i have a long term goal of becoming a police officer. I am checking all my ...
  A: Sean, The choice is yours, either path is a good choice. Personally, I went into the Army, becamse ...
Supervising Officer9/15/2008
  Q: If a more experienced officer were to supervisive two younger officers on patrol what might be the ...
  A: Demetrius, The ages would be mid 30's to 40's for supervisor and in the 20's for younger officers. ...
i want to become a detective9/14/2008
  Q: my name is Brian and i'm 16 right now. i really want to become a cop, but i haven't prepared for it. ...
  A: Well first, stop smoking and start doing better in school. That is the very first thing you need to ...
Careers in CJ9/4/2008
  Q: For one of my classes, I need to write and paper and do a presentation on a career that interests me ...
  A: You might consider working in a forensics lab. If you have the time and resources, look into a ...
us marshal service8/29/2008
  Q: I will be redeploying soon and I will have 8 months left in the service. I want to become a US ...
  A: I can not tell you want the US Marshals policy is for hiring, I know after serving 6 years in the ...
who gets units together?8/28/2008
  Q: I am planning to write a story in which three officers do good work in a certain area, and so are ...
  A: Yes the Captain would have his own office. The older men would obviously be wiser, having seen and ...
alabama officer8/23/2008
  Q: His daughter lives in Alabama and he wants to be closer to her. We have called some of the local ...
  A: In my opinion he should try and get the job he really wants. I can not speak of the rules and ...
who gets units together?8/18/2008
  Q: I am planning to write a story in which three officers do good work in a certain area, and so are ...
  A: Demetrius, Everything is relative. The Chief can be young (in their 30s) or older, he or she could ...
Background8/11/2008
  Q: I'm in the background process in becoming a deputy sheriff.And want to know if my boyfriend ...
  A: In a word, NO. However, if your boyfriends background is shaky at best, and the behavior that made ...
appointment with an expunged felony record8/10/2008
  Q: I am looking to become a police officer in NJ and my question is whether or not i will be ...
  A: I don't think there is any way of sugar coating this issue, this will be a hindrance to you becoming ...
Becoming a Police Officer8/5/2008
  Q: i'm very interesting in becoming a police officer and actually took the cjbat for Miami-Dade police ...
  A: It is always good to hear from someone who has learned from their mistakes. I always try to be ...
Life-long Career in LE8/3/2008
  Q: Eric: Thank you very much for reading my question! I am a recently graduated high school student. ...
  A: Christopher, You were 12, you have led a clean exemplary life since then, right? I would say you ...
Disqualifying Factors?7/30/2008
  Q: My goal is to become a police officer here in california. Now I do have some minor issues in my ...
  A: Don, I'm not sure how to answer this question. To be honest with you, if I was doing a background ...
Becoming a Police Officer7/28/2008
  Q: I want to become a police officer but have had a written and verbal warning at a job that I worked ...
  A: Brian, Being deceptive is NO WAY to begin a career in Law Enforcement. By omitting this job from an ...
getting paid while going to school7/22/2008
  Q: Sir, I have just gotten out of the Navy after a great 8 years and really want to go into law ...
  A: KEvin, If I'm following you correctly you're looking to get hired on a Police Department and have ...
Become an officer with an other than honorable discharge?7/22/2008
  Q: After first reading the question your first thoughts are probably, "Are you insane?", but just hear ...
  A: Well Mike, I am a bit concerned as to why your discharge was anything less than Honorable. You may ...
Become an officer with an other than honorable discharge?7/21/2008
  Q: After first reading the question your first thoughts are probably, "Are you insane?", but just hear ...
  A: Michael, I can not imagine how they found out you were gay unless someone told them, obviously you ...
Dispatcher Interview Question7/20/2008
  Q: I applied for the job of dispatcher with some local police departments. During an oral interview I ...
  A: Jim, This is a common question asked in job interviews. Many people think an answer such as "I tend ...
help!7/12/2008
  Q: My Fiance is currently in the blet program at our local community college. He is an iraq veteran ...
  A: The only thing he can do is answer the questions honestly and hope...as time passes the mistake ...
help!7/11/2008
  Q: My Fiance is currently in the blet program at our local community college. He is an iraq veteran ...
  A: First off God Bless your finace and the service he has rendered to this Country. I salute him and ...
general civil service question7/10/2008
  Q: "I am looking at signing on with teh border patrol but I have a couple questions. I served in teh US ...
  A: I would not be able to tell you how this would effect your Top Secret Clearance status as that is ...
Getting the paperwork together7/8/2008
  Q: I have a question on all the background paperwork. I took my time and thought i had everything ...
  A: Robert, What was left off the application to disqualify you? I'm not sure I'm following your ...
Marine Police6/13/2008
  Q: My 19 year old son is thinking about a career in Marine Police. We currently live in Delaware - ...
  A: I'm assuming you are talking about the Police on Boats and not Marines as in the Military, at least ...
Background6/10/2008
  Q: Hey Eric, my name is Joe and I just had a quick question maybe you could help me out on. First off I ...
  A: I'd say your chances are very good. You obviously learned from your mistake, entered the service and ...
hi6/5/2008
  Q: a frend of mine gave me a bullet how od i tell if it was fired it was kinda beat up and i suspect ...
  A: You should not be holding onto a bullet I don't know what kind it is or what the circumstances are ...
Should I even try6/2/2008
  Q: To whom it may concern, I am a 23 year old male who is starting to have doubts about applying ...
  A: Congratulations on deciding to get your life in order, while I try to remain positive in my ...
police work5/31/2008
  Q: Mr. Potts i am a high school student, and i am thinking of a career in law enforcement. But i don't ...
  A: First, thanks for your understanding in my delay in getting this answer to you. An example of Police ...
general5/20/2008
  Q: I have been wanting to become a police officer since I was about 5 and would like to go for the job. ...
  A: Often times when we are young we do things that we later regret in life, some times worse than ...
Police Sniper5/18/2008
  Q: I am 18 and I want to become a police patrol man right after I finish high school, (at age 18-19) ...
  A: First and foremost before you are anything in the Army you are a SOLDIER...you must go through Basic ...
Police Sniper5/13/2008
  Q: I am 18 and I want to become a police patrol man right after I finish high school, (at age 18-19) ...
  A: As a Military Police Officer I did much the same as I do now. Enforce the laws of the Uniform Code ...
Becoming an SVU Investigator5/10/2008
  Q: I know that I must become an officer and gain experience before I can become an SVU Investigator. I ...
  A: Are you planning on staying in the Army until retirement? If so, I would consider changing my MOS to ...
Police Sniper5/10/2008
  Q: I am 18 and I want to become a police patrol man right after I finish high school, (at age 18-19) ...
  A: Enthusiasm is a good thing but sometimes reality steps in and directs us down the right path. I'm ...
police detective4/30/2008
  Q: what course in high school do i need to focus on? what college i need to attend and what i have to ...
  A: If your High School offers any electives that cover forensic science that would be a course I would ...
military and police work4/27/2008
  Q: I am a 14 year old girl, who has big dreams. I want to go to College in Oxford, England and then ...
  A: First off, congratulations for knowing exactly what you want to do in life. You have a head start on ...

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