You are here:

Careers: Police/Any Better Opportunities?

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/23/2010


Question
I was thinking about what career I wanted to pursue and I really want to be a Criminal Investigator, but first I have a few questions. Are there any advantages in joining the military or better opportunities before pursuing this career? Are there better opportunities outside of the United States to pursue this career? Also, what advancement opportunities are available in this career?

Answer
Being a criminal investigator is great but the only two avenues to that career is police work and in the military.  Of course in police work no one marches right in and sits down at the desk in the detective office and is ready to go. There are years and years of training beforehand which takes place on the street as a uniformed officer.  Then, if you are a successful officer, you may be recommended for detective work.  However keep this in mind.  Once you are promoted to a certain rank (all departments are different) you cease to be an investigator and become a manager.  In fact on some departments you get sent back to the streets as a supervisor.

In the military you probably have to be an officer or someone who scores high enough on the apptitude test and then is able to pass the MOS school that you would be sent to.

I can't help you on opportunities outside the U.S.  I would think that you would need to be a citizen of the country that you work in just like you have to be a citizen of the U.S in order to be a police officer.

Careers: Police

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.