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Careers: Police/law enforcement career/swat

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Expert: - 11/28/2009


Question
Hello, I'm 20 years old currently serving in the army as an infantryman  been in for about 2 years now and currently deployed to Iraq and I've been thinking about getting into law enforcement either police or F.B.I. and been thinking about swat and was wondering what some of the requirements are and what type of degree i should start working on if i need one...also am ranger qualified and thinking of special forces....any advice will help...Thanks  

Answer
Randy,

It is my understanding that the FBI requires a bachelors degree in certain disciplines.  I'm not in the FBI so I don't want to mislead you so I'd suggest that you access their website to find out the requirements, etc.

SWAT?  You have to understand that there are thousands of police departments in this country and each has its own requirements, hiring standards, etc.  Not every department has a SWAT team.  But either way in the event that you are hired by a police department you can expect to spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer before you would ever have enough experience to go into SWAT.  Your military experience should work in your favor whenever you apply for an open position in SWAT.

A word of advice.  SWAT, as depicted on television or the movies, is nothing like SWAT in the real world.

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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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