Careers: Police/Detective Work

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Expert: - 3/31/2010


Question
I am aware of the television show Law and Order Special Victims Unit and how it is just "Hollywood" but that is the main kind of work that I would like to do. I know that you need to stay as a Police Officer and learn how to deal with people before you do that kind of work. I'm just confused if a Police Officer deals with Rapes, or a Detective or both. I want to help individuals that have been abused. My dad works for the Police Department in the Evidence Department and he says it is really hard to bring in something that the mother burned their child in. I want to be the person to put that mother away. Just a little clarification or advice would be great.

Answer
Carly,

Detectives are police officers.  They just don't wear uniforms.  Many people are not aware of that.

You certainly can aspire to be detective who handles rapes but understand that it is a very small percentage of the police department thus the competition for that kind of job is intense.  However as you have said it takes quite awhile to gain the amount of experience to do that kind of work.  That is why the street is the best place to learn how to talk to people, how to tell who is lying, who isn't lying, talk to witnesses, talk to suspects, and develop intuition.

So in the event that you are hired by a police department (and the hiring rate is about 5%) you can expect to work as a uniformed officer for years before they would consider you for detective work.

If any of this is not clear let me know.

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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