Expert: Jack Toomey - 10/2/2007

Question
Mr. Toomey,
I am a senior in High School and I am not sure if in college, I should major in criminology. I've heard many things but is it necessary to have a degree in criminal justice in order to eventually make it in a specialized field (Swat/FBI/Narcotics/Undercover) or should i major in something else instead? How hard is it to be promoted from a local officer and what exactly are those steps that I should take after college? Any other advice dealing with the previous fields that i mentioned would be very appreciated since I am quite confused. Thank you for your time and help.

Answer
Kristian,

   I would be very hesitant to tell you what courses to take in college.  I have never heard of a police department that requires someone to have a degree in criminal justice as a requirement for a specialized unit.  However, somewhere out there, I guess there could be one.  I can only speak for my department and a few that I have dealings with and they could care less what your degree is in.  The important thing is that YOU HAVE a degree in fact one of the most succesful detectives that I worked with had his degree in music.

  This may come as a surprise but I think that it is a mistake at this stage of your life to be focusing on SWAT or an undercover assignment.  I am thinking that you are getting your ideas of police work from tv or the movies and that would not portray police work accurately.  In fact you could safely say that what you see on tv would be 100% different than in real life.

  On most departments openings happen in specialized units because of retirements, burnout, and the desire to transfer.  When there is an opening it is advertised just like an advertisement for a job in the private sector.  The department sets the minimum standards, officers apply, there are oral interviews, and the supervisor of the unit checks the officer's performance on the street and then the choice is made.
 
   Let me know if anything is not clear.