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Careers: Police/Suddenly a detective
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Question
I'm 16 years old. I wanted to become a psycologist when I was young but on september I suddenly realized my life's calling was to becone a detective. I don't watch a lot of crime tv shows because I know they aren't realistic. My grades ate pretty decent at least they are now... I didn't do so hot in my first two years of highschool, but now it's going to be different. I want to save lives and protect people and I know I can become a great detective. However, I know I must become a police officer first and be on the streets but, I don't mind. Whatever I can do, right? My question is: What type of Detective should I become if I want to catch criminals? I live in a small town right now but I plan to move to a city and study in criminology. Foes the college I go to determine my abilites as s detective? Is math important for detectives? I suck at math but, when it comes to logic thinking I'm a step ahead of the game, haha.
Kris,
It does not matter what college that you go to. Police departments could care less what school you go to or what your college grades were. They do care that you get a degree. It does not matter what your degree is in. It could be zoology or music. Don't let anybody tell you that you need to study criminal justice. There are tons of kids sitting in criminal justice classrooms who have no chance of becoming police officers because they simply do not have the aptitude for it.
What kind of detective should you be? All detectives arrest criminals. You will get a better idea during your time on the street as a uniformed officer. That time is like a training period and gives you experience on how to talk to people, to determine who is lying, who is telling the truth, and how to get information out of people. You will gravitate towards the type of crime that interests you.
Good luck and make sure that you do well in 11th and 12th grade.
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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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