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Careers: Police/Courses of action to become a civilian sniper/police officer

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Expert: - 6/22/2010


Question
Dear Chris, I am currently in the Army and have been for three years. I am in a sniper section and a qualified sniper. I hold a shooter position and have two tours. Will this help me in any way to go to the civilian sector and get a job? I also have a secret clearance. How should I go about getting the civilian job? I know I should join the force/agency first and then apply or get invited to SWAT but will my time in service or current position save me any time or help me jump through some loops? Im an E4 and in very good shape, no prior charges worth anything and very good behind a rifle. If you can please help me out or at least point me in the right direction. Your help is apperciated.

Answer
Daniel,

The expert that you selected chose not to answer your question so it was forwarded to me.

Your military service surely will not hurt you when you come to apply for a position on a police department.  However being a sniper isn't really going to help you a lot because you would conceivably be years away from working in SWAT.  You would work in patrol as a uniformed patrol officer for many years before you would have the experience needed to work in another unit.

When you get out of the military, or shorty before you do, apply for the police department of your choice.  Many departments require at least 60 college credits these days but some only require high school.  The hiring process can take up to a year.  Aptitude test, physical exam, stress test, oral interviews, writing examples, more interviews, a long background check, and polygraph.

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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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