You are here:
Careers: Police/SRT
Advertisement
Question
Hi I hope you can help me. I am close to a lot of police officers here in Conway MO, and they have inspired me to become an officer of the law as well. I would really like to be apart of a srt unit or something with drug raids. I didn't know if I had to have so many years of experience or if I could jump right into it? What do you suggest I do?
Thanks Tyler
Your first hurdle will be getting hired. How much education do you have? How old are you?
No one goes straight into a specialized unit. I would have thought that your police officer friends would have told you that. In the event that you are hired as a police officer you will spend many years as a patrol officer before you would ever be considered for a specialized unit.
I suggest you go to college and get your degree and afterwards you will be a better candidate.
Related Articles
- Marine Corps Officer Job Descriptions – MOS 5803 -- Military Police Officer
- Training Police Horses - Working with Animals
- Marine Corps Officer Job Descriptions – MOS 0277 -- Weapons and Tactics Instructor/Intelligence Officer
- Marine Corps Officer Job Descriptions - MOS 9954, Hazardous Material/Hazardous Waste (HM/HW) Officer*
- Marine Corps Officer Job Descriptions – MOS 3002 -- Ground Supply Officer
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.