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Careers: Police/How to become a S.W.A,T. member?

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Expert: - 4/24/2008


Question
Hi, my name is Danny. I was wondering if you could help me?
Ever since I was little I always wanted to become a member of S.W.A.T. I'm only 17 right now and I'm about to finish my junior year in May. I was planning to go straight to the Air Force after high school but my consular said I should do that R.O.T.C. program. So I was wondering if you could tell me what you think would be best for me to major in? And what do you think my chances are in getting into S.W.A.T.?

Answer
Danny,

  What most students don't realize is that in order to become a SWAT team member that you will spend many years on the street as a uniformed police officer before you would ever be considered for such a position.   What you need to worry about now is getting hired by a police department and they take very few of those who apply.

  It does not matter what you major in.  You should listen to your counseler and follow his/her advice on what classes to take.  Police departments could care less what your degree is in.  What they do care about is that if you had a perfect discipline record, almost perfect attendance record, excellent grades, and good recommendations from former teachers.  They will be checking all of that.

  By the way.  You might be forming your opinions about police work and SWAT from television.  Real police work is NOTHING like what you see in the movies or on tv.  So don't go into this thinking that every two hours you are going to be involved in some exciting call.  It doesn't work that way.

Careers: Police

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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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