Careers: Police/Investigation

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Expert: - 8/30/2007


Question
Sir, I am a 23 year old female and I have a (morbid, I have been told :)   ) fascination with serial killers and organized crime. I have been looking into the requirements and career steps into becoming an investigator. I know that investigators often spend many years on the street/patrol in order to more finely hone their people and reaction skills... my concern is in my physical capabilities, I have been dropping weight well, and have been toning muscle and I am more than willing to work to whatever level I need to. Problems: I am about 5 foot tall and asthmatic. Is this a problem commonly found in recruits that can often be worked through with use of my normal medications (which control it quite well) or does the (collective) police force have a militaristic zero tolerance view on height ratios and asthma?

Thank you for you time, and your dedicated service.

Answer
 First of all I would not tell anyone about your morbid facination with serial killers and organized crime.  That would be an automatic disqualifier for work in the law enforcement.  When and if you apply to a police department and presumably get by the initial hiring steps they will have a background investigation which will be more thorough than you will ever imagine.  If someone that they interview tells the investigator about your facination that will be the end of your police career.

   As far as your question about your health there is no way that I can answer that.  There are a thousand police departments in this country and I have no way of knowing which ones would disqualify you and which ones wouldn't.  They all have their own standards.  I don't think that athsma is an automatic disqualifer but it certainly is not going to help you.   You won't know until you take your physical.

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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