Expert: Dick Rogers - 12/16/2009

Question
Hello there, my name is Katelynn. It is my dream to become a homicide detective and I am willing to do about anything to become one. I am only a junior right now and I am planning on joining the Army Reserve right after high school. I am also planning on going to college because I know that you need to have education to become a homicide detective. I am wondering what exactly I need though. I was thinking on getting my bachelors in criminal justice. I was wondering if that, along with the years of being a police officer, would make it so I could reach my goal? If not then what else would I need to do. Thank you for your time and any information or advice you'd have for me would be much appreciated. Thanks again  

Answer
Katelynn, you basically have the right idea...go to college, get a degree and you could take most any course as most of what you really need to know you will pick up in the academy and through on the job training.  What college does for you is to first off put you in the running as most departments tend to hire those with a degree in today's world...also, in the future, when you have a great career behind you, the degree will put you in the running for advancement (a good thing to keep in mind for retirement).  Once you are a sworn member, keep your nose clean, do a great job and work your way into a good investigative unit, keep abreast of case law, forensics, evidence rules, etc. and all the way along let it be known that your final destination is working homicides.  Good luck with your plans.