Careers: Police/Mr. Jack Toomey

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Expert: - 8/11/2009


Question
QUESTION: Mr. Toomey
Hey,let me tell u a little about me I'm a marine in the marine corps. I been in since january. I am in school right now becoming a paralegal. When I get stationed in japan I'm going to continue to get my black belt.  well I was wanting to ask. See my life dream is to be a swat team or fbi agent. I was wondering if there is any advice or things you would reccommed me do. So when the time comes to get out of the military I will be a step ahead of the other canidates?

ANSWER: Vilay,

I noticed that you listed Canada as your country.  Are you a Canadian citizen?

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

QUESTION: No sir. I'm sorry I must have over looked that part of the questionair. I'm a u.s. Citizen from NC but now I'm in Rhode Island

Answer
Lets get the FBI out of the way first.  I am not an FBI agent and the only thing that I know about their hiring requirements is that you need a college degree and that the degree has to be in certain disciplines.  For more information I suggest that you go to their website and read their hiring standards.

SWAT team......I hope you realize that its just a small part of a police department and that you will have to serve for years in uniform as a patrol officer before you would ever be considered for SWAT.  Having a black belt might be looked on favorably but probably not.  What will count is your performance as a patrol officer, recommendations of your supervisors, and the ability to pass a series of strenuous physical exams, tests, and tasks.  Becoming a paralegal would probably help you when your background is investigated at the application stage when you get out of the military.

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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