Careers: Police/criminal justice

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Expert: - 6/2/2010


Question
1. should all police recruits take the same physical tests, or are different requirements permissible for female and male applicants?
2, what is the duties of the state police, the sheriffs and the local police deaprtments.

Answer
Alice,

I don't know what they "should" do but on my department there are different requirements for pull ups and push-ups.

2.  It depends on where you are.  In some places the state police are THE police and answer calls for service. In other places the state police do nothing but patrol the interstates.  In some places the Sheriff's Department are THE police and answer calls for service.  Yet in other places all they do is provide security in court and serve warrants.

  So it depends on where you live.  Every state seems to operate differently.

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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