Careers: Police/Future career?

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Expert: - 8/15/2007


Question
Hello, im Katherine Desjardins from the UK and I am very interested in becoming part of an SVU team somewhere in America. Obviously the  grades and such are comepletely different in the UK and I was wondering what kind of qualifications I would need to do this kind of career. I realise that what you see on TV is very different to what the reality would be. An answer would be very helpful. Thank you very much

Katherine Desjardins, 18, UK

Answer
Hello Katherine,

   You are correct when you say that what you see on television is very different from reality.  There are so many young people who believe that tv police shows depict what really happens in everyday police life.  I am not sure what a SVU team is and I suspect that very few police departments have them.  I don't watch tv shows so I am in the dark about what this kind of show is.  I can tell you that if it is a specialized unit you are only going to find it in the biggest departments and to become eligible you will spend many years on the street as a uniformed officer before you would ever become eligible to apply to such a unit.

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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