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Careers: Police/homicide\forensic scientist

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Expert: - 9/25/2007


Question
ever since i was little i wanted to be a homicide detective ,but i have no idea what courses i should be taking in high school. my school offers math,science,social studies,english,foods fashion,preschool, weight training and pe
i got to lake havasu high school in
lake havasu arizona
                           thanks jessica


Answer
Jessica,

    This may surprise you but it does not matter at all what courses that you take in high school if your career goal is homicide.  If in fact you do become a police officer and in ten years or so when an opening comes up in homicide they won't care a bit about what courses you took in high school.  Now I am not telling you to ignore the advice of your counseler who you probably have talked to but to get familar with what detectives do you might want to look at forensic science courses if your school has such a thing.

  I get a lot of questions from high school students that are similar to yours.  Many kids are not aware that police work is nothing like what is portrayed on tv or the movies or that a new police officer will spend many years on the street learning the necessary skills before you would ever be considered for homicide.

  What is important in high school is attendance, good grades, and a spotless disciplinary record because your background investigator will be looking at those things.

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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