You are here:

Careers: Police/In teams or alone?

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/6/2008


Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a quick question: Can (NYPD) Homicide detectives work alone, or must they have a partner a'la the FBI?

ANSWER: Hi,

  Contrary to popular belief the FBI does not investigate murders because murder is not against federal law.  There are some exceptions to that statement but there are very few situations when an FBI agent would get involved in a murder investigation.  You are probably getting that impression from the movies or television.

  So to answer your question no homicide detective would ever be working with an FBI agent on a homicide.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi!
Thanks for the quick response! I was actually wondering though if a homicide detective can work alone on a case, or must he team up with a partner, i.e. another fellow detective? Thanks.

Answer
Maybe days and days or weeks after the event a detective might go out on interviews alone but certainly no homicide case is initiatlly investigated by one detective.  Typically, depending on the size of the police department and how busy they are, there could be ten detectives at the scene and then the number would dwindle after the crime scene work is done.

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.