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Expert: - 4/10/2008


Question
I am currently attending college and taking CJ and Fire Science classes. I want to become a fire investigator but don't know the best way to become one. I have been told I can work for an insurance company or the police force. I was just wondering what the best route would be.

Answer
Olivia,

  I am taking this from my personal experience and from what I have seen.  In my area someone does not graduate from college and suddenly become a fire investigator.  They are firefighters for years and years until they have enough experience and then they apply for a position of fire investigator.  From what I have heard not many private companies are going to hire someone without any experience.  I think that in my area most fire investigators, working for insurance compaines, are retired fire investigators from fire departments.

   Now none of this would necessarily apply to you since I am only telling you what I have seen in my area.

   But don't you have an academic advisor and career counseler who can steer you to the right courses and advise you on what counties and states do/hire in your area?

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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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