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Careers: Police/education or experience

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Expert: - 5/31/2009


Question
I recently graduated with a bachelors' in criminal justice and I am torn between applying for a law enforcement job or obtaining a master's in criminology. I have narrowed down my career choices to either becoming an FBI agent, a criminal investigator, or an attorney. I have asked my professors for their opinion and they told me to go to graduate school. My father has asked a few individuals and they advised me to get a job and earn experience. I know that both education and experience are a vital part in being successful in the law enforcement field, but I am not sure which path would be more beneficial for me. Also what is the process to become a criminal investigator and an FBI agent? I have completed some research on my own but I am not finding the answers I am looking for. I know I have to start from the bottom and work my way up but I am not sure where to start. If you could give me some advise, I would greatly appreciate it!

Answer
Catherine,

It is not necessary to go to graduate school to become a criminal investigator.  I am hoping that you realize that no one goes straight from school to the desk of a criminal investigator.  If you are hired by a police department (and a small percentage of people who apply are actually hired no matter what their education is) you will spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer before you would ever have the experience to become a detective.  

Sorry but I cannot help you with any FBI information because I am not an FBI agent and have no experience with how they hire people.


Let me explain something that I mentioned before.  Only about 15% of those who apply for jobs on police departments are actually hired.  Somewhere in the hiring process they are washed out.  Not everyone has the apptitude to be a police officer.  Even those with advanced degrees.  These days they can afford to take only the best candidates.

I cannot tell you which path to take because of liability issues but I wanted you to know these things that you might not have heard before.

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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