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Question
hi I'm a girl and as you know it's summer and I'm going to start high school, and my dad has been a police officer since 1993 and i always wanted to be a detective, like to help with rape, what i call street walkers and sexual abuse, murder i like to help i know it's a made up thing (law and order svu) but i always watch that never miss a show i watch cops and i guess yall get what I'm saying but i want to know what classes and stuff i have to take and what i have to do in college to help me be a detective.
i thought i wanted to be a vet because all my life i lived with dogs but truth is i only like dogs, the real thing is i want to fight crime i was born to fight crime even though i got like 4 more years till college. sorry i wrote so much it's just that i want help so bad. And i think i messed up by choosing classes and the 9th grade it makes me mad because i knew i should of choosed law enforcement....:/
Right now the best thing to do is to complete high school with a high GPA, no disciplinary record, and good recommendations from your teachers. Then go to college and get a degree. You will then be in a better position to make a career decision.
In the meantime you might ask your father if his department has an Police Explorers program which is like a junior police cadet program.
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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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