Careers: Police/Future Careers

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Expert: - 12/28/2007


Question
I am currently enlisted in the Marines, however I am looking at a posssible Law enforcement career when I get out in 2 years. I was wondering if you can give me any helpful hints of how to go about persuing my career, I eventually want to be SWAT. Thanks for your help.

Answer
John,

  At this point I would suggest that you try to determine where you want to work.  For a department in your home town, nearby, far away, or in between?  For a large city or suburban department or on a small rural department?  It could be the time, if you have made that decision, to start making overtures to the various police departments about the necessary qualifications.  Hearing that you are in the Marines I would guess that you wouldn't have any physical disqualifiers but I don't know about your background because there will be thorough background check and polygraph if you make it that far in the hiring process.

  Some departments require at least sixty college credits so you might want to think about that if you haven't been to college yet.  Some big city departments only require high school so that could be some help to you if that is your goal.

  Don't worry about taking any criminal justice courses unless you absolutely need to do that because police departments could care less about what college courses you took.  What they do care about is a good moral character, a clean criminal and traffic record, and an excellent credit rating.

  SWAT will be sometime down the road because you will be in uniform for years before you are eligible to apply for a position in SWAT.  In fact I would not mention, in a questionarre or interview that you are interested in SWAT, because in some cases it could send the wrong message.

 Let me know if you have any further questions.

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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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