You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- Law Enforcement
- Careers: Police
- Need information
Careers: Police/Need information
Advertisement
Question
Hi, my name is Shae and I am still in high school, and I wanna become a Homicide Detective,I am a little aware of what I need to do to become that, Like i have to join a police academy for a certain amount of years and so on, but i am unsure on what to do after I become a police officer,I like to plan ahead. What I'm basically trying to ask is when I become a police officer, what do i have to do after that to become a Homicide Detective?
You don't "join" a police academy. You apply for employment with a police department and go through a long and exhaustive hiring process that can take up to a year. If you are the one in a hundred applicants who gets hired then you go to their police academy.
After graduation you work in patrol for at least several years. Assuming that you are an aggressive officer and have the support of your supervisors you may have the chance to work as a station detective and then when an opening in homicide comes up you have the chance to compete with other detectives for the vacancy.
Make sure that you understand that anything that you see on television concerning homicide detectives is not realistic. Most of the work involves the investigation of natural deaths, suicides, and accidental deaths.
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.