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Careers: Police/i want to become an officer

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Expert: - 7/8/2006


Question
hi im 15 and i have a great intrest in being a police officer. i dont really know what requirments you need for this career so i was kinda hoping that you can like tell me the basics like what high school courses to take or what education i need and also with any physical info. i live in calgary canada, and kinda hoping for some good information.
and i was hoping to know the diffrent positions for a police officer for example- traffic dutey, or any investigations like homicide??
thanx!  

Answer
Luke,

   It does not matter what high school classes that you take.  What is important is that you graduate with good grades.  Some departments require college so it would probably be a good idea to go on to college since you can't even apply to a police department until you are 21.  There are hundreds of police departments in your area so the physical requirements are going to differ so I would simply contact the department when you get older and ask the department that you are interested in working for.  There are so many different positions on a police department that I would be here all day listing them.  Uniformed division, detective, K-9, evidence tech, etc, etc.  

  Some departments have a ride on program but usually you can't participate until you are 16 or even 18 so you might consider that as well as the police explorer program.  

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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