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: 6/24/2008 Subject: Homicide Detective
Question I am a Junior in High school and I have 1 more year till I graduate and I was interested in a career as a Homicide Detective. All I wanted to know is what Kind of school I have to get into, How long it would take me to become a Detective and if there is other things that I have to know about the schooling like what classes I should take. Thank you for your time.
Answer Nancy,
You don't need to worry about what college that you attend. It makes absolutely no difference if you attend Harvard or Podunk Community College. Police departments are looking for dependable people, those with spotless criminal and traffic records, excellent credit history, and those who have great grades and attendance records in high school. In college all that matters is that you get a degree and stay out of trouble. All of this will be checked during your background investigation.
Contrary to what you might see on television (if you are eventually hired by a police department) you will spend many years in uniform on the street learning the necessary skills that you will eventually need in the detective bureau. If selected, you will start as a station or precinct detective and then, if all goes well, you might get into Homicide. But remember this. Only a small fraction of any police department actually do work in Homicide and many officers don't want the hassle of working on their days off, not coming home for days when working on a case, going to court in the morning when you have worked at night, and the constant pressure and paperwork.
