Careers: Police/police - fbi

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Expert: - 1/30/2007


Question
I'm currently a junior in high school, and I'm planning to go to college and then hopefully find a job in a police dept (and a few years down the road SWAT).  My long term goal is to get a job in the FBI, and I was wondering... after college should I try to go straight into the FBI?  Or would going into police/SWAT (which is the way I want to go) be better?
    Thanks for your help,
                  Nate Z.

Answer
Nate,

   I think that your best bet is to apply to the FBI upon graduation from college.  The last thing on earth that you want to do is to apply to a police department with the intention of leaving and applying to the FBI.  I can't think of a bigger turnoff for a local police department who would have put thousands of dollars into your training only to see you leave and go elsewhere.

   It has been my experience (of course I have not seen every situation) that young people who join police departments tend to stay and those who apply to the FBI from police departments are rejected.

  But get advice from a variety of people before you make any big decisions.

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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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