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Careers: Police/animal cop
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Question
Hi my dream has been to become an animal cop for as long as i can remember.. I live in Toledo,Oh.. I have no idea what school i can go to for this or what i have to do.. i have no idea of where to start.. so if you could send me some info that would be very helpfull. Thanks
Kimberly,
I am glad to hear that you want to enter law enforcement in the field of animal protection. However this is the problem with answering your question. In some jurisdictions the animal control division is part of the police department, in other places its a separate entity, and in other places its somewhere in between.
You don't go to school to become an "animal cop". If you get hired by a municipality they train you on what and how to do the job. Very similar to the way that a person is trained to be a police officer. They go to the police academy and it does not matter what they majored in college.
So I am guessing that you are in high school? You need to finish high school and then go on to college. After your freshman year ask your academic adviser what courses are available that would acquaint you with the various species of animals.
In the meantime you might seek out the animal control agency in Toledo and find out what the minimum qualifications are for hiring.
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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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