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Careers: Police/SWAT
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Question
If someone is in the United States Army and have been through Basic, and Airborne training, what are the requirements that need to be filled in order to become a member of a SWAT team? How does one get started?
Alanna,
All of the military experience would be helpful when it comes time to apply for SWAT. But in case were not aware of it someone has to be hired by a police department first. About 15% of those who apply get hired. Assuming that the individual does get hired he/she then would spend many years in patrol as a uniformed police officer before they would ever have the experience to become a SWAT officer.
Every police department and there are thousands of them have their own requirements for SWAT so there are no national requirements that I could share with you. However I want to warn you that on most departments SWAT is a part-time position and the SWAT officers are patrol officers who then respond to SWAT calls. Also if you are getting your ideas from a television show be aware that SWAT is nothing like it is depicted on television.
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Answers by Expert:
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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