Careers: Police/Careers in CJ

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Expert: Eric Potts - 9/4/2008


Question
Hello - I'm currently pursuing my BA in CJ and plan to graduate in the next year or so.  For one of my classes, I need to write and paper and do a presentation on a career that interests me or one I would possibly like to pursue.

I am a woman, I'll be 52 when I graduate.  I know I'm starting this career late in life, but do you have any suggestions for careers in CJ for someone my age?  I know I can't be a police officer, nor do I want to, living in the murder capital of the world!  I would love to do something involving investigations, identify theft or fraud. I'm open to suggestions and thanks so much for your help!  I know 3 police officers that tell me I WON'T be too old to do something in this field when I'm done, but I'm not so sure I believe them.

Oldie but Goodie!

Answer
Hi Randi,

You might consider working in a forensics lab. If you have the time and resources, look into a particular field of forensics and go to school for that.

Beyond that you also might consider Private Investigations or maybe becoming a dispatcher for 9-11.

Good for you! 52 years young!

I wish you all the success in the world.

Eric

Careers: Police

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Eric Potts

Expertise

I am a Veteran of The United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer for 6 years and have been a Municipal Police Officer for 20 years. I am a certified Arson Investigator, as well as a certified Community Police Officer. I am a DARE teacher in the local schools. I am a Defensive Driving Instructor and worked for years as a Detective specializing in White Collar Crime. I'm qualified to answer general law enforcement questions, general procedure questions (all departments have different rules and regulations. I can answer questions about how to become a law enforcement officer, and questions that might help someone understand why an officer acted a certain way. I am also a Police Suicide Awareness trainer and a member of the NJ Critical Incident Response Team. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO SWAT-I AM NOT QUALIFIED TO ANSWER THEM AND WILL REJECT THOSE QUESTIONS.

Experience

I have 27 years total Law Enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I have worked as a Detective and a Patrolman and have made well over 2,000 arrests in my career.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from the United States Army Military Police School Basic Law Enforcement Training Arson Investigators School DARE Officer Training Interview and Interrogation School Police Suicide and Awareness Trainer

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