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Careers: Police/SWAT and military experience

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Expert: - 2/13/2008


Question
Hi Mr Toomey,
I plan on pursuing a career in law enforcement and I was wondering if a college degree in criminal justice along with military experience would be able to shorten the wait time from joining a police force to being eligible to apply fro SWAT. I think the usually wait time is something like two years.

Answer
Matt,

  Your military experience won't hurt you but I can't see being helped by having a degree in criminal justice.  If your goal was being a detective or an executive officer then that degree would probably help.  

 Not sure where you got the idea about a two year wait time.  On my department, which was about a thousand sworn officers, no one with two years experience would be considered for SWAT.  It would be more like five to seven years but remember there are no national hiring standards nor are there standards for various positions like SWAT so every department is different.

  This seems to be the SWAT month and many of my questions are about that position and how long it takes to get there.  There is no substitute for time on the street and the things that you learn as a uniformed officer are only going to help you when you apply so don't try to rush things.

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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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