Expert: Chris Wagoner - 11/16/2007

Question
I'm in the army right now. I am a medic. I've been to Iraq and I am 22 years old. I've always dreamed about being a cop.  I have the training and dedication for law enforcement. I have 1 year left and as soon as i get out i want to become an law enforcer I don't have any college but i feel that I've been trained by the army i can do a great job. I just need some advice so as soon as i get out i can join and start doing great things to protect people.  Please let me now what i need to do to get a guaranteed spot to get in law enforcement

Answer
First let me say THANK YOU! Thank you for service. You have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude. Being former 3rd Infantry Division (Army) myself I understand some of the sacrifice you are making for the rest of us. Hoooooaaahhhhh!

When can you sign up for my Academy?

Let me say that we really need former military people to get into law enforcement. You have the self discipline needed and the mind set required, along of course with all the skills in firearms and physical training already instilled in you. You are a great fit. Also the GI benefits pay for the schooling!! I run a police academy in North Central Florida and love it when I get good former military people as recruits. They usually end up as my class leaders and almost always get hired by an agency before they graduate, or very shortly after it.

With what you gave me you are a candidate ahead of many with your military background. But you also have to have a good background as far as arrest, driving tickets and drug use. Read Florida State Statue 943.13 and it tells you the required minimum qualifications you need and some of the things that disqualify a person. But with your military background, I am pretty sure you do not have any of the disqualifiers. You can view it by going here: http://www.policecareers.org/ And clicking on Recruitment.

Law Enforcement is a GREAT career. I have loved every minute of it. It’s a secure job, you never hear of police layoffs. The pay is decent, and the benefits are very good. I would say that at your age, you are perfect for  starting your Law Enforcement career.

So look into it, check it out and seriously think about it. I love this field and highly recommend it to someone that does not want the same old daily routine day after day, as police work is a different day every time you walk out the door it’s not just a job it’s an adventure (I have heard that somewhere before. :) )

If you are interested in coming to Florida, you can even start your paperwork before you get out of the military. I helped a guy in the Army get most of his stuff done before he even ETSed. His wife was here and she had power of attorney and filed all his paperwork for him and he went through and got hired by the Sheriff's Office even before he graduated the academy.

It's not that bad being a street cop, and even if you get on SWAT, its not a full time position. 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 this answers your question, feel free to ask any more you may have, and I hope that you decide to join the Law Enforcement community; we need good young people to take over from old timers like me someday when I decide to retire at 99. :)