Careers: Police/Requirements

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Expert: - 10/31/2008


Question
Hi I want to be a police officer, I moved to Michigan where I got married about 2 years ago from Canada. I am not a citizen....only a green card holder. Can I still apply to be a officer? What is the best way for me to get my foot in the door till I receive my citizenship if I need it. And last, I owned a business in Canada and have no experience in law....Should I be taking any classes to help me get in the door? Sorry last question, am I to old to be searching for a carrier in law enforcement? I'm 32. Thanks, Spiros.

Answer
Spiros,

    I probably should put this on my profile since I get so many questions about hiring requirements.  The fact is that there are thousdand of police departments in this country.  Every single one has its own hiring standards.  Every one. There are no national hiring standards like in other countries.  I will tell you this.  Any department that I have been in contact with, which is not alot, all required that applicants be citizens of the United States.

  It would do you no good to take any classes in anything.  Assuming that you get hired everything that you will need to know will be taught in the police academy and then after that on the street.  You are not too old.  I was recently told that there is a guy who is 48 in the academy class on my department.  But on the other hand you will be working until you are either 52 or 57, depending on the department, before you get full retirement benifits so that is something to think about since police work is a young man's game.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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