AboutJack Toomey Expertise U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process for the position of police officer involves.
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 as an expert court 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.
Expert: Jack Toomey Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: SVU Detective
Question Hi,
I am only 13 and I plan on being a Special Victims Unit Detective when I grow up.I know the things on TV are not always true,but I really think that helping someone find out who raped them or abused them or whatever.It seems like lots of work but I have been looking Special Victims Unit Directives for school and I am really instered.What I want to know is how many years will it take until I can be a Special Victims Unit Detective when I am a uniformed officer?
Thanks for all the help!!!
Answer Summer,
You have already gotten a hint about the connection between reality and what happens on tv. Very, very few police departments have a unit that is anywhere near what you see on television. Murders are worked by homicide, sex crimes are worked by a sex crimes unit, burglaries are worked by station detectives, and on and on.
If they made a television show about real police work then no one would watch because it is so tedious. That is why they have to invent these shows like CSI and SVU that do not exist in real life.
Can you ever be a detective that investigates rapes or abuse? Of course but as you know that is a long way down the road and only a small fraction of every police department ever does such work in fact most officers do not want to do that kind of work because of the long hours, paperwork, working on your day off, etc.
So you are correct. You will be a uniformed officer for a long time before you are eligible for such a unit. How long? I have no idea. It depends on where you work, recommendations, your prior performance on the street, and scores of other reasons.
