Careers: Police/Moving Ahead

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Expert: - 11/3/2007


Question
I'm a junior in high school, and an athlete, so right now is crucial for me to start looking at colleges. I've narrowed down my degrees to Criminal Justice and Psychology. I wanted to know how you got started, and what to look for in college when trying to become an officer. I would really like to become a detective or a federal agent, but I don't know where to start. I know you have to become a police officer first. Do you just grow from the position?

Answer
Don't concern yourself with what college to go to or what courses to take with the goal of police officer in mind.  When you get old enough to apply for a police department they will not be bothered with what college you went to or what courses you took.  What they will be interested in is what you did in high school, your attendance record, your disciplinary record, and your traffic and criminal record.  Yes they will be impressed if you graduate from college but the common misconception is that police departments give favoritism to candidates who take criminal justice courses.  It is not true in fact they will teach you everything that you need to know in the police academy.  That is why you see people with degrees in music, biology, etc, sitting along side those with criminal justice degrees.

  As far as becoming a federal agent I cannot help you there since I have no idea what the require or look for.

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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