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Expert: - 9/19/2009


Question
Hi, my name is omar and I was wondering if you could help me out with something. I found a police academy college called Rio Hondo College and it looks pretty good, but i read somewhere that some colleges like this are a rip off and don't help with your career. But some colleges like this do help. So i was wondering if you could take a look at it and tell me what you think about it. I would really appreciate it. Thank you.( If its good i was thinking of going after I get my AA Degree in criminal justice)


http://www.riohondo.edu/LEO/Police%20Academy%20Title%20page.htm

Answer
Omar,

My area of the country does not have police academies like this where the student pays the tuition.  In my area an applicant is first hired by a police department and then the recruit attends the academy owned and run by the department.  Of course there is no cost and the recruit is guaranteed a position on the police department upon graduation.  

I would be very leery about this kind of thing.  First of all the tuition is $3400 and graduation does not guarantee you a job anywhere and from what I read graduation only gives you accreditation in the state of California.  Even then, depending on the department, you still might have to attend a second police academy.  This is the key thing.  Not everyone has the aptitude to become a police officer.  Also not everyone can (in fact very few) can pass a background investigation in order to be hired as a police officer.  If you paid $3400, graduated, and later found out that no one would hire you wouldn't you be a little upset?

I can't give you advice on what to.  But think about the options and perhaps talk to someone who attended this school and get their opinion.

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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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