Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Does anyone have some information or experience with FHP Auxiliary? I am just a 20 year old college student but I plan on doing grad school after undergrad and would like to get into some type of law enforcement environment while I am in school for another 5 years. I am not sure if they would even be interested in a 20 year old student but I thought I might as well apply and see what happens. It’s only a 24 hour commitment every 3 months so time is not much of a problem while in school but I am just wondering about what the overall experience is and if it would be helpful at all for a future career in Law Enforcement and if anyone thinks it is possible to get all the training down in a period of 4 months?
Thanks.

I don't know anything about them specifically, but I know that most of the auxiliary academies usually meet for a few hours in the evenings on certain weekdays and then maybe one day per weekend. I think the classes average between four and six months long, depending on how many hours per week the classes meet.

Lots of agencies down here offer reserve or auxiliary programs. Unless you're specifically interested in FHP (traffic traffic traffic), take a look at some of your local police departments or the sheriff's office. Some agencies will accept a 19 year old applicant, however the majority have a minimum age of 21.

I'd go for a Sheriff's Office or Police Department. I went to a few Auxillary meetings before I got into Law Enforcement, and the Auxillary troopers mostly drive around and tag disabled vehicles, provide motorist assistance, and can only take law enforcement action with another trooper present. Wasn't my cup of tea.

I'd go for a Sheriff's Office or Police Department. I went to a few Auxillary meetings before I got into Law Enforcement, and the Auxillary troopers mostly drive around and tag disabled vehicles, provide motorist assistance, and can only take law enforcement action with another trooper present. Wasn't my cup of tea.

I have done quite a bit of research into the FHP Aux. While it's true, they seldom patrol alone, they are indeed full fledged LEOs after training. When I move back to FL one day, I'm going to join up.

My info comes from a Trooper at the Panama City Troopers unit at 850-872-4150.

I have done quite a bit of research into the FHP Aux. While it's true, they seldom patrol alone, they are indeed full fledged LEOs after training. When I move back to FL one day, I'm going to join up.

My info comes from a Trooper at the Panama City Troopers unit at 850-872-4150.


Must have changed since 2004 when I tried it out. I was told that while they could take law enforcement action, they were only allowed to do so when they are with a full time trooper or reserve trooper. That was with the Orlando Troop Office I went to where the meetings were.

Oh well. I didn't care for it at the time. :D

It all has to do with how the statute is interpreted.

A reserve/auxiliary officer or deputy in Florida can be considered a "Law Enforcement Officer" by statute if they have completed a 760 hour academy (like any full-time officer completes). They can then act as a solo officer. This is true with any agency.

On the other hand, someone who has only been through a reserve/auxiliary academy is only certified as an "Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer." In order to take police action, they must be under the direction/supervision of a fully-certified officer. Most agencies operate under the policy that the reserve/auxiliary officer must be under the DIRECT supervision of a full-time officer. Other agencies operate under the belief that supervision can be indirect, such as having full-time officers on the same radio frequency.

I personally think it's a bad idea to have them under indirect supervision, and it's only a matter of time before something happens down here that will force the Attorney General to issue an opinion as to what exactly constitutes supervision.