Careers: Police/svu

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Question
QUESTION: hi i am 12 yrs old and i really love the show i have gone through smiliar things like that and i really wanted to be that my whole life so could u tell me how i can start my research on things or like whats a good start for me?

ANSWER: Yajaira,

I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this but the show that you watch is fiction.  That means that things that you see on that show do not happen in real life and that the detectives don't do the tasks that you see on the show.  If producers of televisoin shows depicted what really does happen in police work no one would watch because it would be boring.

That does not mean that in twenty years you can't be a detective and help victims.  You should have a near perfect attendence record, a perfect disciplinary record, be on the honor roll, and have great recommendations from your teachers.  This would go all the way through middle school and high school.  Then you should go on to college and get your degree and then think about what career to persue.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hey its me again yajaira i ask u know how u said svu is ficition well polices do stuff like that right i can de a detetive like svu?thanks for ur answer in my other question

Answer
This is the thing.  So many kids believe what they see on television.  Shows like CSI, SWAT, SUV, etc, are giving them a false hope that they can do these things that they see on tv.  

Detectives work with their victims but it is nothing like you see on tv.  There would not be enough time in the world because the detectives have to work on other cases.  So yes they help victims but in real life counselers do what you see on tv.  And no, you can't do what you see on tv because there is no such thing as SVU.

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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