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Question
Hello Jack, I am Brazilian and I want to become an officer of the USA and then become a detective, I wonder if the salary of a detective to live well, buy a car, house, pay bills and have a general quality vida.Muito Obrigado.Também wonder if one person from another country would suffer prejudice in the police.
Thanks
Felipe,
There is no way to give you an exact answer because we have thousands of police departments in this country as opposed to some counties that have a national police force. Each department operates independently of each other. In a big city the salary would be more as opposed to in a rural area. I don't know of many police officers who have trouble paying their bills or buying a house.
There is one thing that you might not be aware of. In this country you have to be a citizen in order to work as a police officer. That can be a long process. So if you are serious about becoming an officer I would think twice because you would have to become a citizen of the USA and then worry about being hired as a police officer which is not easy.
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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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