You are here:
Careers: Police/?
Advertisement
Question
I know that before you can join the S.W.A.T. team you have go to police academy and than be a police officer for 4 years. What if i go to marines for 4 years and than come out and become a S.W.A.T.. if not what do i do after marines.
Who says that you have to be a police officer for four years before you become a member of SWAT?
You need to know that there are thousands of police departments in this country and ever single one of them operates differently. Those departments that have SWAT (and not every one does) prefer that an applicant be an experienced police officer before they are even considered.
If you go into the Marines then the process would still be the same. Once you get out you apply for a position on a police department and then go through the same long hiring process that everyone else does. About 5% of those who apply get hired. Then after many years on the street as a patrol officer you get the opportunity to apply for SWAT if there is an open position.
There must be a new television show about SWAT. I am getting tons of questions about SWAT where before it was always about fake shows like SVU and CSI. I hope that you realize that whatever you are seeing on tv is not realistic.
Related Articles
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.