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Careers: Police/Swat team health requirements
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Question
I would like to know the health requirements for joining swat, I am a 20 year old and I have diabetes. I was unable to join the marines as I had wanted to so I was wondering if you knew if a diabetic could even join swat at all. If you do not know could you please lists some other experts that might know that I can ask?
Clifford,
As I have told countless young people before you there are thousands of police departments in this country and every single one has its own hiring standards. Its impossible to give you a "yes" or "no" answer.
I am not sure if you are aware of this but if you somehow do get hired by a police department you would be spending many, many years in patrol as a uniformed patrol officer before you would ever have enough experience to become a member of SWAT. There must be a new television show out there somewhere about SWAT because I am getting tons of questions about SWAT where before I didn't get any. I say this because in real life SWAT is nothing like you see on television or the movies. In fact on most departments it is a part-time position and most of the time is spent in patrol.
To answer your question directly if you can get hired by a police department and pass their medical exam then you someday would be eligible for SWAT.
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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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