Expert: Jack Toomey - 1/16/2009

Question
Jack,
I am curretnly attending Community College and am having trouble deciding what career to pursue. Since I know I want to help people, I have narrowed my choices down to either becoming a nurse or a detective. I have always been interested in crime investigation and law. I would like to be a dectective but I am not aware of what the requirements are for the job. To become a detective, would I have to become a Police Officer before, or is there another way? I was just curious if there is a way to become a detective through College or being a Police Officer is mandatory requirement to become a detective.

If you could email me back at  that would be great.

Thanks,
Meghan Cullen


Answer
Meghan,

One thing that is very difficult for young people to comprehend is that detectives are police officers.  They just don't wear uniforms.

I don't know a thing about nursing but this is what you are going to have to do to become a detective.  First of all you are going to have to be hired by a police department.  There are thousands of departments in this country and every single one has its own hiring standards.  Some require high school, many require an AA degree, and a few require a degree.  About 10 - 15% of those who apply actually make it through the hiring process and are hired.  Its not automatic and most are washed out along the way.  Assuming that you are hired you will go the police academy for about six months.  Then you will train with an experienced officer and when you are deemed good enough you will ride by yourself for many years before you will be able to apply for a detective position.

I am amazed at the number of young people (and I apoligize if you are offended) who think that they can go straight from the classrom to the detective office.  The street is your classroom for being accepted as a detective.  Its on the street where you learn how to talk to people, how to tell who is lying and who isnt, and hunderds of other traits.  

So to make a long story short.....yes you need to work on the street as a uniformed officer for a considerable amount of time.