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Expert: - 12/10/2011


Question
My name is Mike.  I'm a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps with experience in Haiti (During Operation United-Response) and Musa Qala, Afghanistan From Feb-September of 2011.  I am an 0311 (Infantry).  Currently I sill have two and a half years left on my enlistment but I know for sure that I am getting out and am looking for a good career path for when I do get out in July of 2014.

I was thinking of different things I could/wanted to do and my girlfriend's aunt suggested SWAT.  So I was wondering what you could tell me about getting into SWAT, what places are they called on the most, etc.  As well as if you could tell me the chances of a former US Marine getting into SWAT?

Answer
Cpl Gange,

No one goes straight into SWAT no matter what their previous life experiences.  If your goal is to get into SWAT I'd suggest that you begin college if that is possible because few departments hire high school graduates anymore.  

If you are hired by a police department sometime in the future you will be sent to their police academy and upon graduation you will be assigned to a station and be a uniformed patrol officer for at least several years before you would ever have the experience to be in a specialized unit.
If an opening does come open then you would have the opportunity to apply just like any other officer.

Let me give you a word of warning.  SWAT, detectives, or anything else that you see on television or the movies is not realistic as it applies to real life police work.  On most departments SWAT team members are regular patrol officers who respond to SWAT situations when and if they happen.

Good luck and thanks for protecting us over there.

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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