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Careers: Police/Becoming an SVU Investigator

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Expert: Eric Potts - 5/10/2008


Question
I know that I must become an officer and gain experience before I can become an SVU Investigator.  I am currently serving in the U.S. Army I am a logistics specialist but have worked under the Military Police Battalion for the last four years.  What can I do to better my chances in becoming an SVU Detective?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Teresa,

Are you planning on staying in the Army until retirement? If so, I would consider changing my MOS to Military Police and attempt to get into the Criminal Investigations Command (CID)this will give you invaluable experience and steer you in the right direction.

If you are planning on getting out of the Army I would suggest taking College courses while you are in, Criminal Justice is a great place to start, and continuing your education by taking advantage of any education incentives the Military Offers upon discharge.

Good Luck to you and if I can be of any further help please don't hesitate to contact me.

Eric

Careers: Police

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Eric Potts

Expertise

I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.

Experience

I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School Basic Law Enforcement Training Arson Investigators School DARE Officer Training Interview and Interrogation School Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer

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