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Expert: - 3/11/2009


Question
Dear Jack Toomey,

I am currently a senior in high school and am interested in acquiring a job in the police field. I already plan on going to college to get an associates degree in Criminal Justice and then attend the police academy after that. Between now and the end of the academy I want to collect as much information on police work as possible. My question is, What should my minor be in college if I want to be an exceptional officer? The kind of officer that no department could afford to lose.


Answer
Ryan,

 Don't worry about what your minor should be.  Police departments do not care what you majored in.  Everything that you need to learn will be taught in the academy and on the street assuming that you are eventually hired.  There are a great number of young people taking criminal justice classes when they should be getting degrees that they can use in other fields because only 10 - 15% of applicants are actually hired.  Its not like Kmart where anyone who walks in the door gets hired.  Police departments are very selective and most who apply are not hired.

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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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