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Careers: Police/homicide detetctive

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Expert: - 12/28/2008


Question
Hi. Im an 12 years old and looking into the homicide field. I love shows like Monk.I actually solved a case already, but I never told anyone about it. I really want to know if you have to be a cop to be a homicide detective. If you do, i'm really not that trilled about getting pepper spray sprayed in my eyes and getting shocked with a taser. Are there any other positions like that that you don't need to be a cop to    get a job in? That and what is the deference between homicide, suicide and matricide?and would a degree in forensics be good?

Answer
Stephanie,

I am sorry to tell you that in order to become a homicide detective that you are going to spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer.  There would be no way that that you would be qualified to do the job without years of training as a street officer.

I also need to tell you that NO shows that you see on television are realistic.  NONE.  They are made up so that people will watch and NOTHING that you see on television actually happens in real life.  If you have set your goals in life based on what you see on television that I am afraid that you are going to be very disappointed.

Homicide is the killing of another human being, suicide is when someone taks his own life, and matricide is killing your mother.

Yes a degree in forensics would be good.  There are many things that you could do with a degree like that.

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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