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Careers: Police/Investigation Field

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Expert: - 6/17/2005


Question
I am in the military, working on getting my BA in Criminal Justice.  I am interested in the investigative field.  I would like to know what an investigator's duties are and what you have to do to become one.  Is there certain training that needs to be completed first?

Answer
Hello Karen,

    Are you talking about becoming a police investigator or an investigator in another line of work? I am going to assume that you mean police investigator also called detective.  

   First of all you need to realize that you will spend years on the street before you have the knowledge and expertise to be considered for detective.  There is no way that someone steps out of the police academy into a detective office and unfortunately many people think that they can do that.

   As far as responsibilities it would depend on what size department you are hired by, the speciality that you are in, etc.  Generally you will respond to major crime scenes, collect evidence, interview witnesses, interview suspects, develop suspects, obtain search warrant, make arrests, maintain contact with victims, develop informants, etc.  I probably have listed only half of the things that you will do but you get the idea.

   Don't worry about any prior training.  You will learn all you need to know on the street and in OTJ training.

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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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