Expert: Jack Toomey - 2/15/2008

Question
hello, i am 16, a junior in high school who is confused about what do study after high school. i wouldn't mind studying nursing, but i have a passion for wanting to solve crimes. i watch court TV all the time and watch how they collect evidence to solve a crime. i want to know exactly what it takes to become a homicide detective. do they work with the FBI? what do i have to study in college? are there any internships available for this type of job? thank U

Answer
Bri,

  I often get questions from students who either are interested in homicide type work or "CSI" jobs.  Unfortunately they get their impression of these jobs from television or the movies and usually almost nothing that happens on tv actually happens in real life.

  In order to become a homicide detective of course you should be concentrating on college after high school.  Presuming that you graduate from college you would then apply for the police department of your chosing whether it be a big city department, a suburban department, or in a small town.  After a rigorous hiring process which would include oral interviews, apptitude tests, a thorough background check, polygraph, and a physical exam you might be hired.  Then you would go to the police academy and spend anywhere from sixteen weeks to a half a year studying all that you need to know about becoming a police officer.  After graduation you would be sent to a precint station where you would be teamed up with a senior officer and spend several months riding with one officer or several officers making sure that you are fit to ride by yourself.  Assuming that you do all right you would then spend many years in uniform as a patrol officer learning all of the skills that are necessary to become a successful police officer.

  In about ten years or longer you might be considered for the rank of detective and then after a few years at the station level you could be considered for homicide.  

   Despite what you might see on tv there are no homicide detectives in their 20's.  Most have at least fifteen years in police work.  On some departments the competition is very keen while on other departments its not.

   Very rarely does a homicide detective work with the FBI since the FBI does not investigate murders except in very rare cases.

   It really does not matter what you study in college.  What does matter is that you have good grades and attendance in high school, have a spotless criminal record, and if you do get tickets you better pray that they are not for serious offenses because all of that will be considered.

   Can't really say anything about internships because on my department I can't ever recall an intern in homicide but that does not mean that somewhere in this country that couldn't happen.