Careers: Police/Child abduction

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Expert: - 1/14/2012


Question
Mr. Toomey,
I'm another one of those writers who wants to get things right, thus my question -- and thank you in advance for your expertise, attention and help.
In my novel, a young boy who has just lost his mother, then loses his horse, is angry with his father and decides to run away and make it look as if he's been kidnapped. He leaves a crude note, takes his dad's money, and walks to the nearby small town of Hillsboro, Oregon. There, at the video arcade where he goes to hide out, he is bullied by some older boys and subsequently helped out by an older man he knows only slightly. The man offers to take him home and the boy agrees, by now a bit scared and unsure the running off idea is so good after all. But the man has other plans for the boy and doesn't take him home, but rather to a deserted home where he locks him in the basement. When the father discovers the boy's absence the next day, he calls the local police. My question is, would the police send a detective or a police officer? Who would respond first? After the police, would they then send a detective for further investigation?
Thank you again!

Answer
Martha,

A uniformed police officer responds to all calls for service no matter if its a traffic complaint or a murder.  The uniformed officer is always the first to respond.  It is then his decision whether to call in a detective(s).  In your situation I am sure that the officer would call a detective(s) right away.

By the way, all detectives are police officers.  

Careers: Police

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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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