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Expert: - 11/11/2008


Question
hey im dayshaun and im 14 years old ive been wanting to become SWAT since i was 5. i need to know what do i have to do in order to become a SWAT and what standers i need to achieve lease write back and thank you for your time. have a great day

Answer
Dayshaun,

   I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you have at least twenty years before you could ever be considered for a SWAT position.  There are still seven years before you could ever hope to be hired by a police department, seven to ten years as a uniformed police officer, and then IF you are selected for SWAT a training course.  

   If you are getting your ideas about SWAT from television then you need to make other plans.  Television and what really happens are two different things.  For the most part SWAT officers are uniformed officers who do routine patrol, serve warrants, and train.  When they are needed for SWAT assignments they change into their SWAT uniforms and respond to the scene.  It is NOTHING like what you see on tv.

  What you should be doing in the meantime is improving your writing skills.  I am not sure if you noticed it but your question is hardly readable and when you are twenty-one, and have graduated from college, and you still write like that you would not be considered for the position of police officer.

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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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