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Careers: Police/The Truth Behind SVU?

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Expert: - 8/17/2010


Question
I know that SVU is a fake thing but is there any field in the police force that deal specifically with this kind of thing? if so what kind of school requirements are there

Answer
James,

The way I understand it this show involves police detectives who solve cases and then stay attached to the victims of these crimes forever while they are threatened by the people who committed the crime or other such malarkey.

In real life detectives work with victims and if there is time they talk to them before trial in order to calm their fears.  But there are not any special units who devote their entire day to working with these victims.  You would need 1000 detectives to do this.

In order to eventually become a detective you should have a college degree.  It does not matter what the degree is in.  Just make sure you go to an accredited university.  By the way I am sure that you realize that you are going to spend years as a uniformed police officer before you would ever have enough experience to become a detective.

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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