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Question
Aye my name is Ben Cadle and i am from West Virginia.After i graduate this year i will be leaving to go to the Marine Corps.I am going in after my recruit training as a Military police officer for 4 year and after i return from my active duty im wanting to go into a swat team.i was just wanting to know what i would have to do after i get out would i be eligable for the swat team. or can you tell me anything that would help me out.
Ben,
Your military service and being in the military police will surely help you when it comes time to apply to become a police officer. However nothing is certain and only a small percentage of those who actually apply to become police officers are actually hired.
Assuming that you are hired you will spend many years on the street as a uniformed police officer before you would ever be considered for SWAT.
That is because you could not possibly go from the police academy to some specialized unit like SWAT. There are many things that you would need to learn on the street.
I am also not sure if you aware that on most medium sized police departments that SWAT is a part-time position. SWAT officers are patrol officers who respond to SWAT calls if and when they happen.
You asked what you need to when you get out of the military. You choose a police department, fill out an application (if they are hiring) and go through the hiring process which can be a long drawn out affair.
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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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