You are here:

Careers: Police/how to apply for swat team

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/28/2008


Question
hello sir!!i am an indian and want to be a member of swat team.what do i need to do for this?at present i am a dental student but i have preferences for swat team member.

Answer
Hello,

  Are you a citizen of the United States or are you living in India? Many people are not aware that you don't just go straight to the SWAT team from a classroom.  I think that television has given most people the wrong message about this.

   If you are a citizen and living in the United States your first stept would be to apply for a position on a police department.  On some departments the process might take four months to a year depending on the size of the hiring pool.  If you are hired then you would go to the police academy for four to six months and then when you graduate you would be sent to a police station where you would be assigned to ride with a senior officer for a period of time until they decide that you can work by yourself.  Then you would spend years in uniform as a patrol officer until an opening came up in SWAT and you would have the opportunity to apply for the position.  

  If any of this is not clear please let me know.  

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.