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Careers: Police/Your interest in SWAT and Police work..
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Question
I am 15 years old and wondering how i could get in SWAT when i am older.
Hi Mike, Sorry no one answered your question before now. But I will hope this answers it for you.
Well I am glad to hear you are thinking so far ahead. Thats great. And a lot more than a lot of your peers are doing, so good for you!!
There are a few things you can do that would help you out in a law enforcement career in the future.
Some schools offer courses in criminal justice, those would be helpful. Also check out the explorer Program. There may be a post in your area and they are a great way to get to know law enforcement and the job. I started out as a police explorer at the ripe old age of 13! And I have been doing law enforcement ever since. (http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/)
Other than that there is not much you can do. Getting a college degree is going to be very important, so start thinking about that. I have 2 in criminal justice and they are very helpful.
Keep a clean record, don't get traffic tickets when you start to drive and stay away from drug use, all of those can keep you from getting a job as a police officer. Even drug use as a juvenile can get you disqualified, so be careful.
Almost every single SWAT team all over the US is what we call a secondary position. That means that you serve as a police officer in whatever position (patrol, detective, K-9 , whatever) and when they have a need for SWAT they activate a call out system (pagers or cell phones) and then you respond and switch to SWAT team mode.
So even if you get on SWAT you will still have to do regular police work, which in my humble opinion (LOL) is not that bad, actually the best part of police work. I have worked most areas, road patrol, detective, traffic and others and they were all fun and interesting. I would also have to say that after being in the military, you will find it very hard to find a job that keeps your interest and one you do not get bored at, law enforcement is one that will keep your interest and keep you busy.
I hope that gives you some ideas and things you can look forward too and check out. Good luck!
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Answers by Expert:
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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