Expert: Chris Wagoner - 11/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Commander, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me.  I am under the impression that working as a Crime Scene Investigator is a Civilian Job.  But I was wondering, is it possible to work patrol, and then transfer to it, or would you not be considered a police officer anymore, because you are technically in a 'civilian position'?  
I was also wondering, If a person works for a Sheriff's office, say in Brevard county, and then transfers to say Marion County, will they lose the retirement money that they had from Brevard?
and my Final question, is about the Police (or Sheriff's in my case) explorers.  I am interested, and have friends who are interested, but i have no clue what actually goes on in the program.  I have checked the local website, and found some information, but i was wondering if you could help me to understand it?
Thanks for your help sir, I am in High school, and am trying to understand the path in which i should take to become a law enforcement officer, and then plan the way in which i want to do it.  Thanks for your time and efforts.


ANSWER: Hey Patrick,

Lets answer your questions as you asked them:

Q: is it possible to work patrol, and then transfer to it, or would you not be considered a police officer anymore, because you are technically in a 'civilian position'?  

A: Absolutely. In fact some departments use sworn personnel in the position of crime scene investigator. I know Broward County does, Gainesville PD uses both sworn and non-sworn. So it all depends on the department. Best to check with the individual department first.


Q: I was also wondering, If a person works for a Sheriff's office, say in Brevard county, and then transfers to say Marion County, will they lose the retirement money that they had from Brevard?

A: I can speak about this from my own experience. I was on the state retirement in Broward County where I worked, when I moved to Santa Fe Police Department in Gainesville, it was also State retirement and it just continued on. State Retirement is state retirement, no matter what agency you work for as long as they are a member of the FRS (Florida Retirement system).


Q: my Final question, is about the Police (or Sheriff's in my case) explorers.  I am interested, and have friends who are interested, but i have no clue what actually goes on in the program.  I have checked the local website, and found some information, but i was wondering if you could help me to understand it?

A:  Its a part of the Boy Scouts of America, but completely different than regular scouts. You ride with, train with and basically get to learn all about being a cop. You also get to learn a lot of stuff about police work that will help you out in the police academy. You may even get to work special details and events. I was an explorer from 13 to 18 (5 years) and loved it. It was what convinced me I wanted to be a cop.

I hope those answers help you out.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, first, let me thank you for your help.  You are always so helpful and polite.
So, With the information above in mind, could you do me a favor, and Explain the major differences between a Crime Scene   
Investigator, And a Homicide Detective?  Because I have been spending months researching, but the research all revolves around the make believe world of television, where the two are basically Identical, and quite frankly, the sites I have  visited seemed to lack common sense, and the real knowledge of the field they are talking about.
Thanks as always

Answer
Hey Patrick,

A Homicide Detective is the one that investigates only Homicides and does the interviewing, research, case work, follow-ups and puts together the case. A crime scene investigator is the person that processes a scene for evidence. Any scene that needs evidence collected or searched for.

Homicide Detectives are seasoned detectives and put the entire case together, Crime Scene Investigator process scenes for evidence.

Hope that helps explain it.

Be safe..