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Careers: Police/kidnapping and private investigator

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Expert: - 4/11/2009


Question
I already sent you a few questions, I hope you don't mind another.  Would it make sense for a fairly affluent family in a big city with a lot of crime and an over-worked and under-funded police department to hire a private invesigator to supplement police work in a kidnapping case? If several days have gone by after the kidnapping of an adult and there has been no contact whatsoever, at what point in time do you think you might see a family hiring additional help?  Would the police support that or not?  Thanks again!


Answer
Assuming that this is a novel that you are writing I would set the time period in the 1930's or before when the United States did experience kidnappings for ransom.  Now we don't.  As I told you before in all of my career I was only aware of one such case and that was a long time ago.

However since you asked I don't think that the police would be thrilled if the family hired a private investigator at the same time that they were working on the case.  Private investigators and the police do not work together.

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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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