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Careers: Police/police academies in the United States

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Expert: - 6/30/2006


Question
I WAS RECENTLY REMOVED FROM A ENTRY LEVEL POLICE ACADEMY IN MARYLAND BECAUSE I FAILED EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS TRAINING.THE ONLY THING I HAD LEFT TO COMPLETE WAS FIREARMS TRAINING.I SPENT 14 WEEKS IN THE ACADEMY,AND IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS ALL FOR NOTHING.I AM LOOKING FOR SOME ACADEMIES IN MARYLAND OR ANY OTHER STATE THAT MAY HONOR ALL THE THINGS I HAVE COMPLETED IN THE ACADEMY.DO YOU KNOW OF ANY, OR WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

Answer
Mike,

    I am not familiar with the system where someone goes to a private police academy at their own expense.  The only type police academy that I ever worked with was the kind that was run and operated by the juristiction that hired me.

  Since you said you are in Maryland it is possible that you belonged to the FOP and you have certain rights under the Maryland Law Enforcement Bill of Rights.  If you were a member of the FOP I would suggest that you have your steward look at the circumstances in which you were dismissed from the academy.  

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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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