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Careers: Police/i want to become an investigator

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Expert: - 6/8/2007


Question
i want to become an investigator but i know you have to become a police officer first... i was just wondering if you know of any schools just for policing or an academy that will be good for me to attend and also what advice can you offer me.

Answer
Jasmine,

  Are you talking about wanting to become a police investigator?  A police investigator is a police officer.  The only difference is that some wear coats and ties to work while a uniformed police officer wears a uniform.  There are no schools or academies that are going to do you any good besides taking your money.  You need to worry about your grades in school, being mentally and physically prepared, and having a squeaky clean criminal and traffic record.  Then you go to the police station, pick up an application, fill it out, and turn it in and then they either call you in for an interview or they don't depending on their needs.  Then comes the hiring processs which can take many months or longer than a year.  Then the police department takes care of training you, not a school that you select.  But prepare to spend many years in uniform before you would ever be considered for the position of investigator.

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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