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QUESTION: Hi, I am a senior this year and I am wondering what would be good classes to take to become a homicide detective?
ANSWER: Meagan,
At this stage in your life there are no classes that you can take that will prepare you for the job of homicide detective. That is so far down the road that anything that you study now will be forgotten or will have no bearing on your selection if that time ever comes.
I guess that you realize that "school" for homicide is on the street. I mean that if you do get hired by a police department you will go to the police academy for about six months and then for the next ten to fifteen years you will work as a uniformed officer learning the necessary skills that you will need in homicide. If there is an opening in homicide you will apply just like you apply for a job in the real world and they will select the best qualified candidate.
If you are entering your senior year you might consider some kind of law class or forensics class just so you can start building your resume and see if this type of class interests you.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So when i go to college, what kind of classes would be best for me to take there?
Meagan,
It does not matter what kind of classes that you take. You will learn everything that you need to learn about police work while in the police academy. Many young people take criminal justice classes and that is fine but in reality its not going give you an advantage over any other applicants.
What does matter is that you have a near perfect attendance record, a spotless disciplinary record, a clean traffic and criminal record, and have good recommendations from your teachers. All of that will be considered when you eventually apply for a police department in five or six years.
One of the best female police officers that I ever knew had a degree in music. Another officer had a degree in zooolgy. The important thing is to get a degree because there is no absolute guarantee that you are going to get hired by a police department. About 5 to 10% of those who fill out applications actually get hired. So a degree is important in case you need it for other jobs.
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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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