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Careers: Police/Want to Join a S.W.A.T. team

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Expert: - 9/27/2011


Question
Hi i am a us army soldier, currently deployed to Afghanistan. I have a year and a half left in my service time and my MOS is 11B(infantry). I really want to find the quickest steps to becoming part of a SWAT team. I am physically fit and emotionally strong. I have combat experience and i joined the army to get experience to join the police department. Do i have to go to police academy even though i am in the army and if so how long is it? Could you give me some details about it and what kind or job offer you think i would have from my current experience. Thanks

Answer
Anthony,

I can't speak for the whole country but in my part of the country you don't just enroll in a police academy.  You have to be hired by a police department first and then you go into their academy.  However I do understand that there are some parts of the country where there are private academies that you pay for yourself and upon graduation it is up to you to go and look for employment.  I think that I would stay clear of that kind of situation.

Assuming that you meet the educational requirements and minimum qualification for whatever department interests you then you apply just like you applied to join the army.  There is a thorough hiring process that could take up to a year.  On my department about 1 in 200 applicants are actually hired.  

Assuming that you are hired and graduate from the academy you would then spend several years on the street as a uniformed patrol officer.  If an opening came open on the SWAT team then you would have the opportunity to apply just like any other officer.

One word of caution.  In no way is SWAT anything like what is depicted on television or the movies.  In fact on many departments SWAT officers are patrol officers who respond to SWAT situations when they happen.  On big departments SWAT officers may spend their days training, serving warrants, or patrolling.

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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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