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Careers: Police/Career In Law Enforcement

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Expert: - 8/21/2008


Question
How's it going sir? My Question is very open, so i don't expect an easy answer, just some guidance. I have spent the last 5 years in the Marine Corps. I have successfully completed 3 combat tours to Iraq. I am trying to see if a job in law enforcement, would be beneficial for me and my family. However, i do not think i could see myself, pulling mall security, or doing full patrols. I am not saying i can't or wouldn't be willing. However i think that i would be challenged and benefit, the agency i am working for, if my training were put to better use. that being said, i am just wondering what jobs might be available for me. My first instinct said swat, i read the qualifications, and aside from testing and getting to know the actual law, i think i would be highly qualified. however i would be really interested to look into a different part of the field. maybe you lend me some of your expert guidance sir, and help me make my decision to stay or get out.

Answer
Anthony,

  Let me be blunt.  No one goes straight into a specialized unit no matter what they have done in the past or how great they are or what they have done in the military.  That is because that nothing that you have done in the military is even remotely connected to police work.  I understand why you think that you could go into a specialized unit right away but it is not going to happen.

  What will happen is that if you are hired by a police department you will go to the academy for six months, then go to a precinct station and ride with an experienced officer for a period of time until it is decided that you are proficient enough to ride by yourself.  Then you will spend five to ten years on the street learning the necessary tools for any further advancement in the department.  It could be that you would get to like the streets so much that you will abandon any desire to do anything else.  I have seen countless officers come on the police department declaring that they will be in SWAT or the detectives in seven years and then get to love the street so much that they are still there in fifteen years.


   Thanks for the nice rating but your comment was cut off.  We only see the first line and it was something like "but someone in my unit heard........".  I am curious to know what they heard?  You are going to have to start a new question for me to answer.

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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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