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Careers: Police/Joining the Police while still in college

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Expert: - 8/10/2007


Question
Dear Mr. Toomey,
I'm from Virginia and am a senior in college with 3 semesters left until I receive  my BS in Computer Science. I really want to become a Police Officer. I thought about becoming a Cadet or a Police Explorer until I graduate but most of those programs require you to be under 21 and I turned 21 about 6 months ago. What other programs should I be looking to get involved in? Is joining the Auxiliary Police an option until I graduate? Should I just be patient and wait till graduation then apply to the local offices? Any advice in general would be a big help. Thanks in advance.
~Frank C.

Answer
Frank,

   To be honest with you I had never heard of the Auxilliary Police until recently.  My department or any around my county did not have auxilliary police so I am not sure what they do.  Why don't you try volunteering at the police department in your city?  That is one thing that most departments welcome.  While it might seem tedious after while it will give you an idea what a station enviorment is like.

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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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