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Careers: Police/Special victims unit

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Expert: - 11/27/2010


Question
I have been influenced not only by television, which I know can be unrealistic, but also by family experience to become an SVU detective. I'm very passionate about justice, but I have talked to many who never completed their criminology courses because they say the job wasn't for them, because it was so negative and rough. I want to pursue an occupation of criminal justice, but fear that it is some "awful" job, that will make you terribly unhappy. Would you say you ever regretted becoming an officer?

Thanks so much,

Answer
I'm sorry to break this news to you but there are no SVU units in real life.  I understand that the NYPD may have one but they certainly do not do the things that are supposedly shown on television.  If television depicted police units as they really operate then no one wold watch.

Every detective has cases and victims.  They are responsible for walking the victim through the process after the arrest until the prosecutors office takes over.  It does not mean that the victim might not call the detective sometime during the process but at the same time the detective is getting new cases dumped on his desk thus he does not have time to hold the hand of every victim.  That is the job of the victims advocate groups.

I don't know what you mean by this....."I want to pursue an occupation of criminal justice, but fear that it is some "awful" job, that will make you terribly unhappy"  All jobs in law enforcement involve seeing awful things and dealing with people who are difficult and have been hurt.  If that is not what you mean then please explain.

No.  Never regretted doing what I did.  I have seen things that cannot be repeated, gone into the private lives of thousands of people, and been involved in things that many people would not believe.  

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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