Expert: Dick Rogers - 12/1/2011

Question
Mr Rogers,im 14 and am very interested in becoming a homicide detective. I was hoping that you could answer a few questions for me :)
first, would i need any special qualifications ?
Is it necessary for me to be a cop first ?
what are the pros and cons of the job ?
would it be easier for me to get the job if i moved to the States?
And, do you have any advice, or additional info on the job ?
thank you sooo much for reading this :D it kinda means alot to me.

Answer
Sally, even though you are in the UK, and background requirements are probably quite different, I will try to answer your inquiry.  In the States, one generally must be an officer for quite a few years getting basic experience in not only arresting law breakers, but learning the incredible convoluted rules of evidence, court orders, search warrants, confidential informants and so forth.  The only way to get what I'd describe as an appropriate background is to work for a number of years in patrol, then get into some investigative branch (I'd stay away from work involving vice# to gain basic investigative experience, and then let it be known to your superiors that your interest lies in your eventually working homicide.  As far as the pro and cons of the job, in the states, and particularly working for the L.A.Sheriff, the job is unlike anything else one could do as a sworn officer.  You are given incredible latitude in pursuing your work, traveling to many parts of the country and world to interview witnesses/suspects, and you do this usually with a great partner.  To give you an idea of how compelling the job is, I was promoted to lieutenant when I worked homicide #which would require me to leave the unit) but I turned down the promotion in order to work homicide until I retired.  In our Sheriff's Dept. we have over 11,000 sworn officers, and unlike many other agencies, investigative work, including homicide,the investigative work is performed by deputies and the lead investigator is a sergeant rank.  When you reach lieutenant rank, your investigative days are over and your paper pushing days begin.  Hope all this helps.