Careers: Police/info

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Expert: - 2/18/2009


Question
hi jack,my name is melanie and i have always wanted to be an SVU detective for a long time. but what do i have to do to be one. its my dream to live in new your and be one but I'm only in middle school almost a freshmen in like a few mounths.is their any cirten classes i should take and what college should i go to?

Answer
Melanie,

The first thing that you need to realize is that you are basing your future on a tv show that is not realistic.  There is no such thing as a "SVU detective" in real life.  If television networks made tv shows about police life as it really happens no one would watch.

I get tons of questions about this show and also "CSI" which is also not realistic.

My advice is to go to high school and get good grades, maintain a perfect disciplinary record, and an almost perfect attendance record.  After college you will be able to apply for a position on the police department and after many years as a uniformed officer you could possibly become a detective.  But not like you see on tv.

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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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