Careers: Police/wat s up

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Expert: - 2/26/2008


Question
i live in Canada My first question is how much do swat team get paid? and second is wat classes or course do i have to take in high school in order to become one?

Answer
Aaron,

   I live in the United States so if you are asking me about Canada I can't give you any advice unless I give you the situation in the United States.

   There are no seperate salary schedules for SWAT team members.  In other words if an officer was a private first class at the time that he went into SWAT he  would draw the same salary that he had when he was in uniform.  There are no special classes that you can take in high school that would prepare you for SWAT.  What you should be concentrating on is good grades, good attendance, a perfect disciplinary record, and a pefect driving and criminal record.  When it comes to applying for the police department they will be checking all of this.

   You are aware that you don't go straight into SWAT?  You will spend years in uniform as a patrol officer before they would ever consider you for SWAT.

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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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