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Careers: Police/Off-Duty Police Officers

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Expert: - 9/26/2005


Question
Mr. Toomey -

I'm doing some research on police officers (specifically, NYPD) who moonlight as bodyguards. My questions are fairly general, so please bear with me. Basically, I'd just like to know what happens if one of these off-duty officers is injured while working as a bodyguard? Would they be covered by their Department's insurance?

Also, let's say you're bodyguarding a client, and you see them doing something either illegal or immoral/unethical. Are you required to intervene as a cop, or are you required to "keep your mouth shut" because the person in question is paying you to be their bodyguard, not a civil servant?

Last question(s): Generally speaking, how long does a uniformed officer have to serve before becoming eligible to be a detective?  Are there any specific requirements?  Does an established detective have to recommend you to become one?

I'm assuming that things vary from one city to another, but any insight you can give me would be extremely helpful. No detail's too small!

Thanks in advance.

Eric Haywood

Answer
Eric,

   I have no idea about the NYPD and their policy about working off duty.  I'm sorry but I can't help you on that one.

    I can't speak for every department in the country because there are small ones with twenty five officers and two detectives and large departments with six hundred officers and seventy five detectives.  So what I am saying is that there is no set rule about how long a uniformed officer has to be on the street before he is eligible to become a detective.  However you would be safe in saying that an officer has to spend quite a few years on the street before he has learned the necessary things in order to become a successful detective.  On my department you simply applied to become a detective when an opening was announced and you were interviewed and it didn't hurt to have a supervisors recommendation.

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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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