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Careers: Police/my career
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Question
my name is sarah esparza i am only fourteen years old, but i would like to pursue a career in criminal investigation having to do with neglect, rape, and abuse towards women and children. i don't know where to start in search of colleges or universities. if you could please help me by providing some references in ways that i can get a head start i would be really grateful. thank you.
sarah e.
Sarah,
It is a great idea to have such a good plan for life but it is probably a little early to be worried about college. I'd think that you are probably a high school freshman now? Right now you have the resources of your counseler who can suggest what classes to take in college with your career goal in mind. About your junior year you can start thinking about college and your counseler can start looking for colleges that have the right courses for your goal.
I might add that many young people are not aware that no one goes straight into the investigation field in the police department. First you would spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer learning the tools that you will need to become a successful investigator. Many kids are shocked to hear this.
So have a successful high school career first and maintain almost perfect attendance, good grades, and a spotless disciplinary record and in four years you will be set for college and a later career in police work.
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Answers by Expert:
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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