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Careers: Police/Becoming a sniper.
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Question
Hey i'm 15 years old and i am interested in becoming a sniper when i get older, I would like to know how i would find a college that would help me become a sniper, but i don't want to be in the military. I would just like to know how to get into the SWAT team. Or something that doesn't involve me leaving the country. Thanks, get back to me A.S.A.P. (: thanks i would love to know more about this career.
Sydney,
Honestly it is not a good thing to read that someone is striving to be a sniper. There is only one reason that a police department trains a sniper and that it is to kill someone if absolutely necessary. If a department gets wind of a potential applicant who wants to be a sniper that person would be eliminated from any consideration.
Why? Because its a huge red flag that the person is interested in killing and not helping which is the purpose of police work.
Anyway if you are interested in becoming a SWAT team member (its just the opposite of what you see on television) you would apply for a position on a police department when you turn 21. If you somehow made it through the very difficult hiring process you would work in patrol as a uniformed officer for at least 5 - 10 years before you would enough experience. Then you might be eligible for SWAT
So we are talking about at least 15 - 20 years down the road.
Again, If you are getting your ideas from television you had better rethink this.
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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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