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Careers: Police/secret service or detective?
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Question
Hey I have a quick question.....I really really want to eventually become a detective on high profile cases or a secret service agent.... I just wanted to ask what are the requirements....specifically. and aboit how long does it take to get out on the field...?
A detective who works "high profile cases" and the Secret Service are too completely different jobs. Detectives work for county, state, or local governments (police departments) while a Secret Service agent is a federal employee.
I am not familiar with the requirements for the job of Secret Service agent since I am not one of those people but the Secret Service web site would be very helpful. However I can tell you that you need a college degree and if you don't have one then don't bother applying until you get one.
The other job is much more complicated because every police department in the country has its own hiring standards. Assuming that you do get hired, and only about 5% of those who apply to police departments are actually hired, you would be trained at the police academy and then be assigned to a station where you will work in patrol as a uniformed officer for at least several years before you would ever have the experience to become a detective.
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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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