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Careers: Police/Trying to get information on detectives

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Expert: - 12/22/2009


Question
I am currently in the Army as a active duty solider. I aspire to be a detective when I get out. I am trying to find out about the correct process to becoming a detective and what kind of degree would give me the leg up in this process. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated

Answer
Kwamaine,

Here is the problem.  There are thousands of police departments in this country.  Each one has its own hiring standards, rules, procedures, etc.  So what might be true on Department #A might not be true on Department #B.

However you may not know that no one becomes a detective when they are first hired by a police department.  I am telling you this because you said that you were aspiring to become a detective when "you got out".  You can expect to spend at least several years in uniform as a patrol officer before you would ever be experienced enough to be promoted to detective.  

I can't speak for every department in the country but my department, which is considered to be prestigious and well thought of, could care less what your degree is in.  What they do care about is that you have a degree, that you have a great command of the language, can write long and detailed reports, and are well thought of by your past employers.  Of course you also are going to have to pass a lengthy background check, a polygraph, a number of oral interviews, and other such tests.

Careers: Police

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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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